How to connect a second monitor to a computer

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The instruction is suitable for both laptops and desktops.

How to connect a second monitor to a laptop or desktop computer

Determine which cable your monitor has. To do this, check its connector, which is inserted into the computer. Most likely it is HDMI or VGA. The connector will most likely be signed. If not, find out the type of cable on the monitor manufacturer's website or from the official documentation.

You can also try to identify the connector visually using these schematic drawings.

Now figure out the connectors for which cables are on the computer. This, again, can be done using the signatures on the case, if any, as well as using the manufacturer's website or documents for the PC. HDMI and VGA connectors are found on most devices.

If there is a suitable connector, simply plug the monitor cable into it. Otherwise, you will need an adapter. For example, if your computer only has a USB ‑ C connector for video (typical for MacBooks) and your monitor is connected via HDMI, you will need a USB ‑ C to HDMI adapter.

If the current cable is not compatible with the computer, but the monitor has an additional connector of the same type as on the PC, do not rush with the adapter. Instead, you can buy another cable, for which there are connectors on both the monitor and the computer. Most likely, this option will be cheaper than an adapter.

When a laptop has several connectors, it is advisable to choose the one that supports the best resolution and frame rate. For example, most MacBooks via HDMI do not output a picture in 4K or do it only at 30 Hz, but at the same time they calmly show 4K 60 Hz when connected via DisplayPort. You can find out all the necessary details in the documentation for your laptop.

How to set up two monitors

Usually, the computer will automatically recognize the second monitor after connecting. You just have to go to the OS settings and choose a convenient mode of operation with multiple screens. If the new device does not appear in the settings menu, make sure that you correctly connected it to the computer and the mains, and also did not forget about the power button.

If the monitor has several ports for receiving video data, you may have to manually activate the one through which you connected the computer. To do this, call the screen menu using the hardware buttons and select the desired port in it: HDMI, VGA or another.

Usually monitors have 1-2 buttons, so you should find the right one without any problems. If necessary, you can see the instructions for your model.

How to set up two monitors in Windows

Open display options. In Windows 10, this menu is located under Settings → System → Display. In other versions of Windows, the location of the settings may differ. But in almost any system, they can also be opened through the control panel or the context menu by right-clicking on the desktop. Or by searching Windows for "Screen", "Display" or "Monitor".

All displays connected to the computer appear in the settings menu as rectangles. If you don't see them, click Discover. When the rectangles appear, select one of the three desktop display modes below them.

1. Duplicate screens

In this mode, both monitors show the same image synchronously. But if one of them does not support the resolution of the second, then on a display with a higher resolution, the desktop will be reduced and black borders will appear.

Duplicate screens are useful if you use them, for example, for presentations: one display for you, the other for the audience.

2. Extended desktop

Choosing a desktop extension will split it between displays. Each of them will only show a fragment of the available area. You can choose which part of the desktop a particular display will display. To do this, you need to move the rectangles of the screens relative to each other.

This mode is used to improve multitasking. So, you can run different programs on each display and see them in front of you at the same time. It is very convenient if you need to work with several windows at once that do not fit on one screen.

3. Using one of the connected displays

This mode leaves only the selected screen active, the second continues to work, but with the backlight turned off. This option is often used by laptop owners to work behind a large external display instead of the built-in one. The external is left active, and the darkened built-in is slightly lowered along with the lid so that it does not interfere with looking at the large monitor.

The Win + P combination allows you to switch between display modes on the fly.

Once you select the appropriate mode, you can adjust the resolution of active displays and other familiar settings. After that, everything will be ready to go.

How to set up two monitors on macOS

Expand the Apple menu, go to System Preferences → Displays and click on the Layout tab. You will see blue rectangles that represent the screens connected to the computer. Select one of two desktop display modes from this menu.

1. Extended desktop

This mode works in macOS in much the same way as it does in Windows. The desktop is split between two screens, and you can freely distribute open windows between them. When the cursor moves outside the boundaries of one display, it appears on the other. To customize which part of the desktop a particular screen displays, simply rearrange the rectangles relative to each other.

One of the displays in this mode is the main display and contains the menu bar. Its rectangle displays a white stripe. To make the main screen of another screen, drag the bar over its rectangle.

In this case, the dock is always displayed on the display below. To make the panel appear on another screen, you need to move the cursor to its lower border. If this does not suit you, you can turn off the option "Monitors with separate workspaces Spaces" in the Mission Control settings and set the arrangement of screens "diagonally" as in the screenshot above - then the dock will always be on an external monitor.

2. Video replay

Replay is similar to Screen mirroring in Windows. When selected, the rectangles in the diagram merge into one and all displays show the same image. To activate this mode, check the box “Enable video mirroring of monitors”.

When you have selected the desired mode, open the "Monitor" tab and, if necessary, adjust the resolution and other parameters of the screens. Then you can get to work.

Closed display mode

In addition to those listed, macOS supports a special closed display mode. With it, you can use your MacBook as a system unit with a closed lid.

This mode is automatically activated under the following conditions. The laptop should be charging and sleeping. In addition, a monitor and a keyboard or mouse should be connected to it. If you press a button on the keyboard or mouse, the laptop will wake up, the external screen will work, and the built-in one will remain off.

If you are connecting a keyboard or mouse over Bluetooth, you will need to allow wireless devices to wake your Mac from sleep mode to use closed display mode. This can be done in the Bluetooth settings.