Here's why some monitors have two USB ports (and the best ways to use them)

The article explains that a monitor’s USB ports are essentially a small hub: an upstream connector links the hub to the PC, while downstream sockets accept keyboards, mice, flash drives, webcams, or other accessories. On traditional HDMI or DisplayPort displays, the video signal travels on a separate cable, so a second USB‑A or USB‑B cable is required to activate the hub. USB‑C monitors, however, can carry DisplayPort Alt Mode video, USB 3.x or USB‑4 data, and Power Delivery charging all at once. Dell’s U3223QZ exemplifies this flexibility, letting users toggle between “High Resolution” (which throttles downstream to USB 2.0) and “High Data Speed” (full USB 3.0), directly affecting the performance of attached devices such as a 4K webcam.

This convergence mirrors a broader push toward desk‑simplification and “single‑cable” workstations. Laptop manufacturers have been championing USB‑C with Thunderbolt 4, and monitor makers are responding by embedding full‑featured hubs, sometimes adding KVM switches so two computers can share a single set of peripherals. The ability to charge a laptop while delivering a 4K or 144 Hz signal reduces cable clutter and makes portable monitors more viable for on‑the‑go professionals. At the same time, the variance in USB‑C capabilities—some ports support only downstream data, others include video and power—forces buyers to scrutinize spec sheets rather than rely on connector shape alone.

The practical upshot is that users must treat the monitor hub as a potential bottleneck: downstream bandwidth is limited by the upstream link, so high‑speed external SSDs may underperform if the hub runs at USB 2.0 or if the monitor prioritizes video bandwidth. Power‑delivery settings, such as Dell’s “Other USB Charging” toggle, also affect whether peripherals stay powered in standby. As manufacturers continue to bundle more functions into monitor ports, we can expect clearer labeling, firmware updates that let users reconfigure bandwidth allocation, and perhaps a rise in third‑party USB‑C docking stations that supplement or replace built‑in hubs for power‑hungry or specialty devices.