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This guide will show you how to add a second monitor to your Windows or Mac computer. Using two monitors will expand your workspace, giving you more screen real estate for multitasking.
Steps
Check the compatibility of the second monitor
Most laptops support dual monitor setups. If your laptop has at least one video output port (such as HDMI or VGA), you can connect an additional monitor through that port.
- Some Windows laptops may not support dual monitors, but all Apple MacBook computers do. If you're using a Mac laptop, proceed to the connecting the second monitor section.
Not all desktop computers support dual monitors. The graphics card and motherboard of your computer determine whether you can use two monitors simultaneously.
- Again, if you are using an Apple iMac desktop, you can use two monitors.
Check your computer's video output ports. Most computers have at least two video output ports, which means you can usually connect a second monitor. However, if your computer has two (or more) ports that are not from the same set, meaning they do not share the same graphics card, they cannot be used to connect dual monitors.
- For example, if you see two HDMI ports positioned next to each other (either horizontally or vertically), this means the computer's graphics card supports dual monitors. This also applies to other outputs (such as a VGA output next to an HDMI output).
- Windows desktop computers often have three of these ports at the back of the case.
- If you only see one video output port on your desktop, then the graphics card only supports one monitor. Laptops with a single video output port can still support multiple monitors.
Check if your motherboard supports dual monitors. Almost all modern motherboards support multiple monitors, but older ones may not. Follow these steps to check if your motherboard supports dual monitors:
- Find the name of your motherboard.
- Search for the motherboard name in a search engine (such as Google).
- Click on the search result that lists your motherboard's features.
- Look for the "Multi-Display," "Multi-Monitor" or "Dual Display" features.
Connect the second monitor
Identify your computer's video connection ports. At the back of your computer's CPU case (or on the screen if it's an iMac), you will see several ports; one of these ports is used for your primary monitor. Common video ports include:
- DVI — A large plastic port with many small square holes inside.
- VGA — A trapezoidal plastic port with several round holes inside.
- HDMI — A flat, hexagonal port. This is found on most modern computers and televisions.
- DisplayPort — Similar to HDMI, but with an additional thin edge on one side of the port instead of symmetry.
- Thunderbolt — Found at the back of most iMac displays; the Thunderbolt port has a lightning bolt symbol underneath. You can connect adapters for the above video connections to the Thunderbolt port (e.g., VGA to Thunderbolt).
Check the connection ports of the second monitor. The second monitor must have at least one of the connection ports mentioned earlier. You do not necessarily need to use the same type of connection for both the primary and secondary monitors.
- For instance, you can connect the first monitor using a DisplayPort cable and the second monitor via HDMI.
- In some cases, you can set up the second monitor wirelessly. For example, if you want to use an iPad as your second screen, you can establish a wireless connection between the device and certain computers using the Air Display app.
Buy the necessary cables or adapters. If you don't have the proper cables or adapters to connect the second monitor to your computer, you can purchase them online or at a computer accessory store.
- Specifically, when connecting a second monitor to an iMac, you will need a Thunderbolt cable or an adapter for the Thunderbolt port to connect to the port at the back of the screen.
Connect the second monitor to your computer. Plug one end of the video cable from the second monitor into the port at the back of the computer, then connect the other end to the second monitor.
Connect the second monitor to a power source. Plug the monitor's power cable into an electrical outlet, such as a wall socket or a surge protector power strip.
Turn on the second monitor.
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Chiara Corsaro
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CEO of macVolks
In most cases, this is all you need to do. Generally, you just need to connect and power on the second monitor, and it will automatically display. However, if you want to adjust the settings, click on 'System Preference' under 'Display Settings' to make changes.
Set display options on Windows
Click on the System option. This is the screen icon located in the Settings window.
Click on the Display tab. You'll find this option at the top left corner of the window.
Scroll down to the "Multiple displays" section. This option is located at the bottom of the page.
Click on the "Multiple displays" selection box. You’ll see this option directly below the "Multiple displays" title. The screen will immediately display a list of options after the click.
Select a display option. Choose one of the following options from the list, according to your preference:
- Extend these displays (Recommended choice) — The second monitor will extend the first monitor's display.
- Duplicate these displays — The content on the first screen will also appear on the second screen.
- Show only on 1 — Content will only display on the first screen.
- Show only on 2 — Content will only display on the second screen.
Click on the Apply button. This button can be found below the options box.
Click on the Keep settings when prompted. Your display settings will be activated after this step. If you have chosen to extend the display, the second screen will now extend the first one across both monitors.
Display settings on Mac
Click on the System Preferences… option. You can find this option at the top of the Apple menu.
Click on the Displays tab. You will see the computer screen icon in the top left corner of the System Preferences window.
Click on the Arrangement tab. This option is located at the top of the page.
Uncheck the "Mirror Displays" box. If you want to extend your display to the second screen, make sure the "Mirror Displays" box is unchecked.
- If you want both screens to show the same content, keep the "Mirror Displays" box checked.
Change the default display. To make the second screen your main display, click and drag the white rectangle located above one of the blue screens and move it to the second screen.
Tip
- Repeat the connection process for additional screens if your computer supports it. In this case, you can use up to three or more monitors.
Warning
- If the second monitor has a higher resolution than the primary monitor (or vice versa), you will need to adjust the settings of the higher resolution screen to match the lower resolution one. Graphics errors will occur if this step is skipped.
