- A
USB-C to VGA adapter
Why wrong: VGA is analog and supports only lower resolutions, not 4K.
- B
USB-C to HDMI adapter
Why wrong: This can work but may not support 4K at 60Hz if the laptop's USB-C port only supports DisplayPort alternate mode; also, HDMI can be limited by version.
- C
USB-C to DisplayPort cable
USB-C often supports DisplayPort alternate mode natively, providing uncompressed 4K video at high refresh rates, making it the best choice.
- D
USB-C to DVI adapter
Why wrong: DVI is older and typically limited to 1920x1200, not 4K.
Question 894 of 1,020
220-1201 Mobile Device Connection Methods Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device connection methods. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A user wants to connect their laptop to a 4K external monitor for a presentation. The laptop has USB-C ports, and the monitor supports HDMI and DisplayPort. Which adapter or cable should the technician recommend for the best video quality?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
USB-C to DisplayPort cable
Option C is correct because a USB-C to DisplayPort cable supports native DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C, which can deliver uncompressed 4K video at 60Hz or higher without conversion. This provides the best video quality for a 4K external monitor, as DisplayPort is designed for high-bandwidth video and supports higher refresh rates and color depths than HDMI in many implementations.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
USB-C to VGA adapter
Why it's wrong here
VGA is analog and supports only lower resolutions, not 4K.
- ✗
USB-C to HDMI adapter
Why it's wrong here
This can work but may not support 4K at 60Hz if the laptop's USB-C port only supports DisplayPort alternate mode; also, HDMI can be limited by version.
- ✓
USB-C to DisplayPort cable
Why this is correct
USB-C often supports DisplayPort alternate mode natively, providing uncompressed 4K video at high refresh rates, making it the best choice.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
USB-C to DVI adapter
Why it's wrong here
DVI is older and typically limited to 1920x1200, not 4K.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that HDMI is always the best for video quality because it is common on consumer monitors, but DisplayPort actually offers higher bandwidth and native support for 4K at higher refresh rates without compression.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
USB-C Alt Mode allows the USB-C connector to carry native DisplayPort signals directly, leveraging the DisplayPort standard's ability to use up to 4 lanes of HBR3 (High Bit Rate 3) for a total bandwidth of 32.4 Gbps, sufficient for 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz. In contrast, HDMI over USB-C often relies on a protocol conversion or a lower bandwidth cap, especially if the monitor only supports HDMI 1.4, which is limited to 4K at 30Hz. A real-world scenario: a user connecting to a 4K 144Hz gaming monitor would need DisplayPort to achieve that refresh rate, as HDMI 2.0 can only do 4K at 60Hz.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Connection Methods — This question tests Mobile Device Connection Methods — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: USB-C to DisplayPort cable — Option C is correct because a USB-C to DisplayPort cable supports native DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C, which can deliver uncompressed 4K video at 60Hz or higher without conversion. This provides the best video quality for a 4K external monitor, as DisplayPort is designed for high-bandwidth video and supports higher refresh rates and color depths than HDMI in many implementations.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.
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