The Magical Self-Powered Monitor: A WFH Tech Support Tale
If you’ve ever worked in IT support, you know that there are no stupid questions—just endless opportunities for technology to be misunderstood in increasingly creative ways. But sometimes, a tale comes along that makes even the most seasoned support techs do a double-take. Enter the curious case of the “self-powered monitor”—a real story that proves, once again, that common sense isn’t always so common, especially when it comes to the workplace and tech.
When Magic Meets Monitors: The Origin Story
This particular saga, courtesy of Reddit’s r/TalesFromTechSupport, begins with a company’s good intention: equipping employees with everything they need to work from home. Monitors, laptops, cables—check, check, check! But somewhere between the conference room and the home office, a manager decided to spice things up by channeling Nikola Tesla: "These 24-inch monitors are self-powered. No power cords necessary!"
If you just choked on your coffee, you’re not alone.
The Power of Suggestion… or the Lack of Power
According to u/iWasobi, the Redditor at the heart of this story, the tech support team soon found themselves inundated with calls: “Why won’t my monitor turn on?” Users swore up and down that a wall plug was not required. After all, their manager had said so, and who were they to question such wisdom?
Never mind that these monitors were not USB-C (which can sometimes deliver both video and power, but only in the right circumstances), nor did the humble DisplayPort cable have the muscle to power a 24-inch screen. The cold, hard reality: these monitors needed a good old-fashioned connection to the wall.
Tomorrow’s Tech, Today!
The situation escalated when the department insisted that the IT team demonstrate—live and in person—that the monitors, in fact, required a power cord. You can almost picture the scene: a crowd of employees, arms folded, watching expectantly as a techie plugs in the monitor and—voilà!—a glowing display. Abracadabra, it’s alive! Or, as u/iWasobi quipped, “It’d be pretty amazing if electronics did not require power to operate.”
Frankly, if this technology existed, Elon Musk would have snatched it up for his Teslas by now.
Why Do These Mix-Ups Happen?
Let’s not be too hard on the folks who fell for the “self-powered” monitor myth. The rapid transition to remote work has left many employees—and, apparently, managers—juggling cables and connectors they barely recognize. The confusion between USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI, and the classic power cord is real. Meanwhile, product marketing doesn’t help: “One-cable solutions!” promise the ads, conveniently ignoring the tangle of reality.
But here’s the kicker: wishful thinking is a powerful thing. Wouldn’t it be nice if our monitors just sipped a bit of energy from the ether, or perhaps ran on positive vibes alone? Alas, physics is a harsh mistress.
A Tech Supporter’s Take: The Lessons Learned
This story is more than just a hilarious anecdote; it’s a reminder of the ongoing communication gap between IT departments and the rest of the world. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to include an FAQ with every equipment kit:
- Q: Do I need to plug in the monitor?
-
A: Yes, unless you have discovered perpetual motion.
-
Q: Can I power my monitor with hopes and dreams?
-
A: Only if you work in the Department of Wishful Thinking.
-
Q: Who should I trust for tech advice?
- A: Your friendly neighborhood IT team, not the guy who thinks WiFi is short for “Wireless Fiddle.”
The Power Cord, Symbol of Reality
So, the next time you set up your home office, spare a thought for the humble power cord. It may not be glamorous, but it’s the unsung hero keeping our screens aglow and our Netflix streaming. And if you’re in management, remember: with great power (cords) comes great responsibility.
Have you encountered a workplace tech myth that wouldn’t die? Share your funniest (or most baffling) tech support tales in the comments below! And remember: when in doubt, plug it in.
Do you have a story of tech gone wrong—or right? Let us know! Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes tales from the world of IT.
Original Reddit Post: Power cords optional