Buzz
This guide illustrates how to connect a second monitor to your laptop or desktop computer. You can set up a second monitor on both Windows and Mac systems, but ensure your computer supports multiple displays before proceeding.
Steps
For Windows
Ensure your computer can support multiple displays. This is usually not an issue for laptops, but desktops may lack the necessary requirements for adding a second monitor:
PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
Luigi Oppido
Computer & Technology Specialist
Computer & Technology Specialist
Insider Insight: Don't assume that having dual connections on your onboard video card means it can support two monitors. If, for example, you have DVI and VGA connections, you'll need to choose just one. To enable dual monitors, you'll require a secondary card in either an AGP slot or a PCI Express slot.
Locate your computer's video output port. These ports are typically situated on the side of your laptop or, for desktop computers, at the back of the tower alongside the port where your primary monitor is connected. Common types of output ports include:
- HDMI — Recognizable by its six-sided, flat appearance.
- DisplayPort — Identified by its rectangular shape with one crimped side.
- USB-C — Distinguished by its slim, rounded oval design.
- VGA — Characterized by its colored trapezoidal shape with pinholes. While VGA has become less prevalent on computers manufactured after 2012, you may still encounter it when connecting newer computers to older monitors, or vice versa.
Locate the video input port on your monitor. Most modern monitors utilize DisplayPort or HDMI ports for input, although some may still feature VGA ports.
- If you're dealing with an older monitor, you might encounter a DVI port at the back. DVI ports are typically white boxes with clusters of holes, along with a separate section containing a few more holes.
Purchase a suitable cable to connect your monitor to your computer if needed. If you lack a cable that can link your computer to your monitor (e.g., an HDMI cable), you'll need to acquire one.
- If both your computer and monitor share a common port (e.g., HDMI), it's advisable (and cost-effective) to procure a cable that fits both ports, even if a higher-definition alternative exists.
- If your monitor's input doesn't match your computer's output (e.g., if the monitor employs a VGA input while your computer uses an HDMI output), you'll require an adapter.
- For certain video output combinations like HDMI to DisplayPort, you can opt for cables instead of adapters.
Connect one end of the cable to your computer. This end of the cable should be inserted into your computer's video output port.
- Keep in mind that if you're using a desktop computer, the port must be part of the same graphics card utilized by your primary monitor.
Connect the other end of the cable to your monitor. The opposite end of the cable should fit into the designated port on the back of your monitor.
- If you're employing an adapter, connect one end of the cable to the adapter and then link the monitor's cable to both the monitor and the adapter.
Power up the monitor. If your monitor isn't connected to a power source, plug it in using the provided power cable; afterward, press the Power button on the monitor to activate it.
- Depending on your computer setup, you may observe your desktop appearing on the second monitor upon activation.
Access Start
.
Access Settings
.
Tap on System. Look for the screen-shaped icon positioned at the upper-left corner of the window.
Tap on Display. You'll find this tab positioned at the upper-left corner of the window.
Scroll down and tap on the 'Multiple displays' drop-down box. This box is located below the 'Multiple displays' heading near the bottom of the page. This action will prompt a drop-down menu to appear.
Choose a display option. Depending on your preference for the second monitor's functionality, tap on one of the following options:
- Clone these displays — Replicates everything from your computer's primary display onto the second monitor.
- Extend these displays — Generates an extension of your desktop on the second monitor, providing you with additional workspace.
- Show only on 1 — Turns off the second monitor, displaying content exclusively on the first monitor.
- Show only on 2 — Turns off the first monitor, displaying content exclusively on the second monitor.
- Depending on your computer, you might have additional options available.
PROFESSIONAL TIP
Luigi Oppido
Computer & Technology Specialist
Computer & Technology Specialist
Customize your settings to arrange the monitors to match your physical setup. Access your Control Panel settings, navigate to Display, and precisely position each monitor according to its real-world orientation. You can drag the monitors to align them accurately, accounting for differences such as varying heights. This ensures smooth mouse movement across the screens.
For Mac OS X
Determine which Macs support multiple monitors. Every Mac can accommodate at least one additional monitor, although some models may have only one port available for charging, data transfer, and external displays. If you own a MacBook laptop with a single port, ensure your computer is fully charged and disconnected from peripherals (e.g., USB drives) before connecting another monitor.
Locate your Mac's video output port. Depending on your Mac model, you'll find one (or more) of the following ports on the side (MacBook and MacBook Pro) or back (iMac) of your Mac:
- USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) — Oval-shaped port. Modern MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and iMacs may have one to four of these ports.
- Thunderbolt 2 — Square-shaped port. Found on older Mac models.
- HDMI — Six-sided, flat port. Found on older Mac models.
Locate your monitor's video input port. Contemporary monitors typically utilize DisplayPort or HDMI ports for input, although some may also feature VGA ports.
- If you possess an exceptionally old monitor, you might discover a DVI port on the rear. DVI ports resemble white boxes with clusters of holes, along with a section containing a few separate holes.
Purchase a cable to connect your monitor to your computer if needed. If you lack a suitable cable to link your computer and monitor (e.g., an HDMI cable), you'll need to make a purchase.
- If both your computer and monitor share a common port (e.g., HDMI), opting for a cable compatible with both ports is more convenient and economical, even if a higher-definition alternative is available.
- If the monitor's input differs from your computer's output (e.g., the monitor uses VGA while your computer outputs HDMI), an adapter will be necessary.
- Some video output combinations, such as HDMI to DisplayPort, are available as cables rather than requiring a separate adapter.
Insert one end of the cable into your computer. The cable should plug into your computer's video output port.
Connect the other end of the cable to your monitor. The free end of the cable should fit into the designated port on the back of the monitor.
- If you're using an adapter, insert one end of the cable into the adapter, then connect the monitor's cable to both the monitor and the adapter.
Power up the monitor. If your monitor lacks a power source connection, attach it using the provided power cable; afterward, press the Power button on the monitor to switch it on.
- Upon activation, your computer may display your desktop on the second monitor, depending on its configuration.
Access System Preferences…. This option is located in the drop-down menu. Selecting it will open the System Preferences window.
Access Displays. Look for the screen-shaped icon within the System Preferences window. This action will trigger a pop-up window.
Click on the Arrangement tab. This tab is positioned at the top of the Displays pop-up window.
Expand your desktop onto the second display. To utilize the second monitor as an extension of your desktop, deselect the 'Mirror displays' option located at the bottom of the window.
- If you prefer your second monitor to duplicate the content from your Mac's primary monitor, skip this step.
Additional Advice
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Purchasing cables online is often more cost-effective than buying them in physical stores.
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When extending your primary monitor with a second monitor, moving your mouse to the far right of the primary monitor will transition it to the second monitor.
Cautions
- If your computer doesn't support multiple displays, you'll need to install a graphics card with at least two video outputs to enable multiple displays.
