If you’re like most people, you probably use your laptop as your primary computer. But what if you could get even more use out of it by adding a second monitor?
Adding a second monitor to your laptop can be a great way to increase your productivity, especially if you’re the type of person who likes to have multiple windows open at the same time. It can also be a great way to make your laptop feel more like a desktop computer, giving you more screen real estate to work with.
If you’re interested in adding a second monitor to your laptop, there are a few things you’ll need to do first.
Step 1: Determine if Your Laptop is Capable of Supporting a Second Monitor
Before you go out and buy a second monitor, you’ll need to make sure that your laptop is capable of supporting one. Most laptops these days have what’s called a “video out” port that will allow you to connect an external monitor. The most common video out ports are HDMI, DVI, and VGA.
If your laptop doesn’t have a video out port, you’re not out of luck just yet. There’s a chance that it has a Thunderbolt 3 port, which can also be used to connect an external monitor. Thunderbolt 3 is a newer standard, so it’s not as common as the other video out ports, but it’s worth checking for.
If your laptop doesn’t have any of the above ports, then it’s not capable of supporting a second monitor. In this case, you’ll either need to buy a new laptop or look into getting a docking station, which we’ll talk more about later.
Step 2: Choose the Right Monitor
Now that you know your laptop is capable of supporting a second monitor, it’s time to choose the right one. When it comes to monitors, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
First, you’ll need to decide what size monitor you want. This will largely be determined by how much space you have on your desk and how much money you’re willing to spend.
Second, you’ll need to decide what resolution you want. Resolution is the number of pixels that make up the image on the screen. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image will be. For most people, a resolution of 1920×1080 is plenty. But if you want a sharper image or you’re planning on using your second monitor for gaming, you may want to consider a higher resolution.
Third, you’ll need to decide what type of monitor you want. The two most common types are LCD and LED. LCD monitors are cheaper, but they use more power and produce more heat. LED monitors are more expensive, but they use less power and produce less heat. For most people, an LCD monitor is the better choice.
Step 3: Connect Your Monitor to Your Laptop
Once you’ve chosen the right monitor, it’s time to connect it to your laptop. If your monitor has an HDMI port, you can use an HDMI cable to connect it to your laptop. If your monitor has a DVI port, you can use a DVI cable to connect it. And if your monitor has a VGA port, you can use a VGA cable to connect it.
If your monitor has a Thunderbolt 3 port, you’ll need to use a Thunderbolt 3 cable to connect it. Thunderbolt 3 cables are not as common as the other types of cables, so you may need to order one online.
Once you’ve connected your monitor to your laptop, you’ll need to configure it. In Windows, you can do this by going to the “Display” settings. In macOS, you can do this by going to the “Displays” settings. And in Linux, you can do this by going to the “Screen” settings.
Step 4: Configure Your Monitor
Once you’ve connected your monitor to your laptop, you’ll need to configure it. In Windows, you can do this by going to the “Display” settings. In macOS, you can do this by going to the “Displays” settings. And in Linux, you can do this by going to the “Screen” settings.
In the display settings, you’ll be able to choose how you want your monitors to be arranged. You can choose to have your laptop’s built-in display be your primary display and your external monitor be your secondary display. Or you can choose to have your external monitor be your primary display and your laptop’s built-in display be your secondary display.
You’ll also be able to choose the resolution and refresh rate for your monitors. If you’re not sure what these settings should be, you can usually leave them at their default values.
Step 5: Enjoy Your New Monitor!
Once you’ve connected and configured your new monitor, it’s time to start using it! If you’re not used to working with multiple monitors, it may take a little bit of time to get used to it. But once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
If you find that you’re not using your second monitor as much as you thought you would, you can always disconnect it and put it away. Or you can use it as a dedicated screen for watching movies or playing games. The choice is up to you!