If you’re looking to get more screen real estate, or just want to mirror your display, you can connect an external monitor to your laptop. Here’s how to do it.
First, you’ll need to gather your supplies. In addition to your laptop and the external monitor, you’ll need:
- An HDMI cable
- A Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter (for Macs)
- A Thunderbolt 3 to HDMI adapter (for Macs)
- A USB-C to HDMI adapter (for PCs)
Once you have all of your supplies, you can begin the process of connecting your external monitor to your laptop.
How to connect an external monitor to your laptop
The process of connecting an external monitor to your laptop is relatively simple. Just follow these easy steps:
- Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the external monitor.
- Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on your laptop.
- If you’re using a Mac, you’ll need to connect the Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter to the Mini DisplayPort on your laptop. Then, connect the HDMI cable to the adapter.
- If you’re using a Mac with a Thunderbolt 3 port, you’ll need to connect the Thunderbolt 3 to HDMI adapter to the Thunderbolt 3 port on your laptop. Then, connect the HDMI cable to the adapter.
- If you’re using a PC, you’ll need to connect the USB-C to HDMI adapter to the USB-C port on your laptop. Then, connect the HDMI cable to the adapter.
- Turn on your laptop and the external monitor.
- On your laptop, press the “Fn” key and the key with the monitor icon. This will toggle between the internal display and the external display.
- If you want to extend your screen, press the “Fn” key and the key with the two monitors. This will extend your screen to the external monitor.
- If you want to mirror your screen, press the “Fn” key and the key with the two monitors. This will mirror your screen to the external monitor.
And that’s it! You’ve now successfully connected your external monitor to your laptop. Enjoy your extra screen real estate.