Summary
Yes. Many Plugable products that use DisplayLink USB graphics technology support ChromeOS and can provide additional external displays without requiring a separate driver installation.
However, ChromeOS compatibility varies by Plugable product. Always confirm that your specific Plugable product lists ChromeOS as a supported operating system before use.
For Plugable products that support ChromeOS, Plugable recommends using ChromeOS version 100 or later with the latest Stable channel updates installed.
Applicable To
This article applies to:
- Plugable DisplayLink-based docking stations and USB graphics adapters that list ChromeOS as a supported operating system
- Chromebooks, Chromeboxes, and other supported computers running ChromeOS
Not every Plugable product that contains DisplayLink technology necessarily supports ChromeOS. Refer to the individual Plugable product page for operating system compatibility.
Answer
DisplayLink support is built directly into ChromeOS, so a separate DisplayLink driver does not normally need to be downloaded or installed.
Synaptics, the developer of DisplayLink technology, has included DisplayLink support in ChromeOS since ChromeOS release R51. Plugable currently recommends ChromeOS version 100 or later for Plugable DisplayLink products that support ChromeOS.
To use a supported Plugable DisplayLink product with ChromeOS:
- Update the Chromebook or ChromeOS device to the latest available Stable channel version of ChromeOS.
- Connect the Plugable dock or graphics adapter directly to a compatible USB port on the ChromeOS device.
- Connect the external display or displays to the Plugable product.
- Open the ChromeOS display settings to arrange, mirror, or extend the connected displays as desired.
No separate DisplayLink software installation is required.
Performance Considerations
DisplayLink USB graphics uses processing resources from the host computer to generate and transmit the image shown on the connected displays. As a result, DisplayLink performance can vary depending on the Chromebook's processor, memory, USB connection, number of connected displays, display resolution, and the applications being used.
Synaptics currently recommends the following minimum system characteristics for Chromebook systems using DisplayLink:
- A 2GHz or faster processor with NEON or SSE2 instruction support
- 4GB of RAM or more when using two or more DisplayLink-connected displays
- A USB 3.0 connection
Systems with more capable processors and additional memory may provide better performance, particularly when using multiple high-resolution displays or playing video.
Intel, AMD, and ARM-Based Chromebooks
DisplayLink support in ChromeOS is not limited to Intel or AMD processors.
Current DisplayLink requirements support processors with either SSE2 or NEON instruction support. SSE2 is commonly associated with x86 processors from Intel and AMD, while NEON is used by ARM-based processors.
As a result, processor architecture alone does not determine DisplayLink compatibility. Performance depends on the capabilities of the specific Chromebook and the workload being performed.
For the best experience, confirm that the Chromebook meets the recommended DisplayLink system requirements and that the specific Plugable product supports ChromeOS.
ChromeOS Version and Updates
Plugable recommends ChromeOS version 100 or later with the latest available updates installed for Plugable DisplayLink products that support ChromeOS.
Plugable recommends using the ChromeOS Stable release channel for normal use and troubleshooting. Beta, Developer, and Canary builds are prerelease versions of ChromeOS and may introduce behavior that has not been validated with Plugable products.
Because the DisplayLink driver is built into ChromeOS, DisplayLink driver updates and fixes are distributed through ChromeOS updates. There is no separate DisplayLink driver package for a user to manually install on ChromeOS.
Important Notes
Product Compatibility Varies
DisplayLink technology being present in a Plugable product does not by itself guarantee that the complete product supports ChromeOS.
Some docks combine DisplayLink with other technologies and features that may have additional operating system or host requirements.
Always check the Compatibility or Supported Operating Systems section of the individual Plugable product page before purchasing or connecting the product to a Chromebook.
Display Performance
Higher resolutions, multiple external displays, video playback, and graphics-intensive applications require more host processing resources.
A configuration that works well for normal office applications may provide lower performance with demanding video or graphics workloads.
No Manual DisplayLink Driver Installation
ChromeOS includes its DisplayLink support within the operating system. Unlike Windows or macOS, there is no DisplayLink software package that needs to be manually downloaded and installed.
PlugDebug Is Not Available for ChromeOS
Plugable's PlugDebug diagnostic utility is available for Windows, macOS, and supported Linux distributions, but it cannot be run on ChromeOS.
When requesting support for a ChromeOS device, please provide the exact Chromebook or ChromeOS device model and ChromeOS version.
For instructions, see:
How to Identify Your Chromebook Model and ChromeOS Version
Need Assistance?
If a supported Plugable DisplayLink product is not working as expected with your Chromebook or ChromeOS device, please contact Plugable Support at support@plugable.com.
When contacting support, please include:
- Your Plugable product model
- The exact Chromebook or ChromeOS device model
- Your ChromeOS version
- The number, make, and model of connected displays
- The display resolution you are attempting to use
- A description of the issue you are experiencing
