220-1101 Question 214
Single answerAdaptersA technician is helping a user connect a new 27-inch monitor to a three-year-old laptop for a presentation. The monitor supports HDMI and DisplayPort inputs and runs at 1920x1080. The laptop has only a USB-C port labeled with the DisplayPort symbol and a USB-A port. The user also needs the laptop to charge during the presentation. Which adapter solution should the technician choose?
- A
A USB-C to HDMI adapter that also supports USB-C power pass-through
- B
A USB-A to HDMI passive adapter cable
- C
A DisplayPort to HDMI passive adapter connected to the laptop's USB-C port
- D
An HDMI to DisplayPort adapter for connecting the monitor back to the laptop
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The key detail is that the laptop's USB-C port is labeled with the DisplayPort symbol, indicating support for DisplayPort Alt Mode. That means the port can carry video output and can be used with a USB-C to HDMI adapter for a monitor that accepts HDMI. Because the user also needs the laptop to charge during the presentation, the best practice is to use an adapter or hub that includes USB-C power delivery pass-through. This matches common manufacturer guidance for USB-C docking solutions and aligns with practical A+ Core 1 knowledge about choosing the correct adapter based on port capabilities, signal direction, and charging requirements. USB-A should not be assumed to support native video, and adapter direction matters when converting between standards such as HDMI and DisplayPort.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A USB-C port marked with the DisplayPort symbol supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, which can output video through a compatible USB-C video adapter. A USB-C to HDMI adapter or hub with USB-C power pass-through is the best fit because it allows the technician to connect the HDMI monitor while also charging the laptop at the same time. This is a common real-world docking and presentation setup.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. USB-A does not natively carry video output for a simple passive HDMI cable or adapter. While some specialized USB graphics adapters exist, they rely on chipsets and drivers such as DisplayLink and are not the same as a basic passive USB-A to HDMI cable. Choosing this option reflects the misconception that any USB port can directly output display signals.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A standard DisplayPort to HDMI passive adapter is intended for a device that already has a DisplayPort output. The laptop in this scenario has USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, not a full-size DisplayPort connector. The technician would need a USB-C video adapter specifically designed for that port, not a standalone DisplayPort adapter.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. This reverses the signal direction. The laptop is the video source and the monitor is the display device. HDMI to DisplayPort adapters are typically active, directional, and used for specific source-to-display conversions. In this case, the technician needs USB-C video output from the laptop to HDMI input on the monitor, not HDMI source output to a DisplayPort display.