How to Connect Two Screens

Today, Mytour will show you how to set up a second monitor for your laptop or desktop. While connecting an additional screen is feasible on both Windows and Mac, you must first ensure that your computer supports multi-screen functionality before proceeding.

Make sure your computer is capable of supporting multiple monitors. This is usually not an issue for most laptops, but desktops may not be equipped to handle an additional screen.

• For laptops — If your laptop has at least one video output port, you can use it to connect the second monitor.
• For desktops — Your desktop must have at least two video ports (one for the primary screen and one for the second monitor). The ports do not have to be identical, but they must be connected to the same graphics card. This means that if your desktop has two graphics cards, only one will be used for all displays.

Identify the video output ports on your computer. Video outputs are usually located on the side of a laptop. If you're using a desktop, check the back of the tower, near the port where the main monitor is connected. Here are some common types of video output ports:

• HDMI — A six-sided, flat port.
• DisplayPort — A rectangular port with one curved edge.
• USB-C — An oval-shaped, flat port.
• VGA — A trapezoidal port with multiple pins. VGA ports were not commonly found on computers before 2012, but if you are connecting a modern computer to an older monitor (or vice versa), you might encounter VGA ports.

Identify the video input port on your monitor. Modern monitors typically use DisplayPort or HDMI input ports, although some older monitors still feature VGA ports.

• If your monitor is relatively old and uncommon, you may find a DVI port on the back of the second monitor. The DVI port has a white rectangular frame with several holes, alongside a separate set of holes for additional connections.

Purchase the appropriate cable to connect your computer to the monitor (if needed). If you don’t have a cable that connects your computer to the monitor (such as an HDMI cable), you will need to buy one.

• If your computer and monitor share a common port (such as HDMI), it will be easier (and more cost-effective) as you’ll only need to buy a cable that fits both ports (even if higher resolution options are available).
• If the input port on the monitor differs from the output port on your computer (e.g., your monitor uses VGA input while your computer has an HDMI output), you will need to purchase an adapter.
• You can also opt to buy a combined video cable (e.g., “HDMI to DisplayPort”) instead of an adapter.

Plug one end of the cable into the computer. The cable end must match the video output port on your computer.

• Note: if you are using a desktop, the port must be on the same graphics card that the primary monitor is connected to.

Plug the other end into the monitor. The remaining cable end must fit into the chosen port on the back of your monitor.

• If you are using an adapter, first plug one end of the cable into the adapter, then connect the monitor’s cable to both the monitor and the adapter.

Turn on the monitor. If the monitor is not connected to a power source, plug the included power cable into an electrical outlet, then press the Power button on the monitor to turn it on.

• Depending on your computer, you might see the main screen mirrored on the second monitor as soon as it powers on.

Click on the Display tab. This tab is located in the top-left corner of the window.

Scroll down and click on the "Multiple displays" dropdown box. This box is located under the "Multiple displays" heading near the bottom of the page. A dropdown menu will appear.

Select your display option. Depending on how you intend to use the second monitor, click one of the following options:

• Duplicate these displays — Mirror everything on your primary screen to the second monitor.
• Extend these displays — Extend your primary screen onto the second monitor, giving you more workspace.
• Show only on 1 — Turn off the second monitor and display content only on the first screen.
• Show only on 2 — Turn off the first monitor and display content only on the second screen.
• Depending on your computer, additional options may be available here.

Know the type of Mac computer you have. All Mac computers support at least one additional display, but some Mac models only have a single port shared for charging, data transfer, and connecting external displays. If your MacBook only has one port, ensure that the laptop is fully charged and not connected to any peripheral devices (like a USB drive) before you connect another display.

Identify the video output on your Mac. Depending on your Mac model, look for one (or more) ports either on the side (for MacBook and MacBook Pro) or at the back (for iMac):

• USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) — Oval-shaped port. Newer MacBook, MacBook Pro, and iMac models come with 1 to 4 of these ports.
• Thunderbolt 2 — Square-shaped port. Found on older Mac models.
• HDMI — A six-sided, flat port. Found on older Mac models.

Identify the video input on your monitor. Newer monitors typically use DisplayPort or HDMI for video input, though some older models may still have VGA ports.

• If your monitor is quite old, you might find a DVI port at the back. DVI has a white frame with several pin holes, and there is a separate hole next to it.

Buy a cable to connect the monitor to your Mac (if needed). If you don’t have a cable to link your computer and monitor (such as an HDMI cable), you’ll need to purchase one.

• If both your Mac and monitor have matching ports (like HDMI), it will be easier (and more cost-effective) to simply buy a cable that fits both (even if it comes with high-resolution options).
• If the input on your monitor doesn’t match the output on your Mac (e.g., your monitor uses VGA and your Mac uses HDMI), you’ll need to purchase an adapter.
• You can also opt for a combined video cable (e.g., “HDMI to DisplayPort”) instead of an adapter.

Connect one end of the cable to the computer. The cable end should fit into the video output port on the computer.

Connect the other end to the monitor. The other end of the cable should fit into the port you've chosen on the back of the monitor.

• If you are using an adapter, first plug one end of the cable into the adapter, then connect the monitor cable to both the monitor and the adapter.

Power on the monitor. If the monitor is not yet connected to a power source, plug the included power cord into the socket and press the power button on the monitor to turn it on.

• Depending on the computer, you may see the main display mirrored to the second monitor as soon as it powers on.

Click on System Preferences… (System Settings). This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. The System Preferences window will appear.

Click on Displays. This option with a monitor icon is within the System Preferences window. A new window will open.

Click on the Arrangement tab. This option appears at the top of the Displays window that pops up.

Extend your desktop to the second monitor. If you wish to use the second display to expand your main desktop, uncheck the 'Mirror displays' box at the bottom of the window.

• Skip this step if you only want to mirror the main display onto the second monitor.

• Typically, cables purchased online are cheaper than those bought in physical stores.
• If you're using the second screen to extend your desktop, push the cursor all the way to the far right of the first screen to move it over to the second monitor.

If your computer does not support multiple screens, you will need to install a graphics card with at least two video outputs.