- How difficult is it?
- Connection Methods
- Connection Process
- Alternative Connection Method
Life in the twenty-first century is hard to imagine without all the technologies that surround us and make our life easier. But what exactly does the human eye pay most attention to? The answer is simple - it's a monitor. Any work at the computer implies the mandatory availability of such devices. But what if one screen for work or entertainment is not enough? You just need to install one more. If the stationary computers do not cause so many questions when connecting the device, then the laptops are a bit more complicated. How to connect the second monitor to the laptop - let's understand this question.
to the contents ↑How difficult is it?
Many novice users have problems connecting the second monitor to the laptop. Do such problems have simple solutions? Of course, but first you need to figure out whether it is worthwhile to connect another device at all?
If your work is sitting, but does not require constant attention to yourself, why not attach one more output device and observe in parallel, for example, a football match? And some professions often require a second screen, so the topic that raises this article can be considered relevant.
to the contents ↑Ways of connecting
Let's turn to the main topic of the question: how to connect the second monitor to the laptop? You can connect a laptop and an output device in different ways, as discussed below.
HDMI
HDMI is the most popular connection interface, but why? Everything is very simple. With the help of such a cable, you can easily get the desired picture, and if the monitor is equipped with speakers, then there is an excellent opportunity to output sound at any time.
Important! Another significant plus is not the inconvenient "installation".The overwhelming number of modern laptops have a connector for such a cable, which only simplifies the task.
Your laptop does not have a connector for HDMI, but do you want to use it exactly? This issue is very easily and quickly solved with the help of special adapters, which can be purchased at any hardware store or ordered in popular online stores. The cost of such an adapter does not particularly hit your pocket and does not entail any technical difficulties in the operation.
Important! Remember that there are three different kinds of form factors: standard, mini and micro. Before buying a cable, pay attention to the connector on your computer.
VGA
The second most popular interface, which used to be the market leader. Today, most analysts are predicting a VGA of an early demise, but given the number of devices working with such interfaces, the "quick demise" will not come until after five or even ten years.
The quality of the picture transmission is at the level, but this candidate, like the following ones, does not know how to output sound. If your computer is deprived of a connector for such a cable, do not despair, because in the market you can find thousands of adapters for different interfaces.
DVI
The third most popular interface with which you can connect 2 monitor to a laptop. DVI gives a picture more qualitative than the same VGA, but does not support large resolutions.
Important! On new laptops, you most likely will not find such a connector, but most PCs and monitors are, oddly enough, equipped with them. The
DVI cable can be classified into three types:
- A-type. Serves for transmission of an analog signal.
- I-type. Is able to transmit both analog and digital signal.
- D-type. Serves only for digital transmission.
Important! It is worth noting that the second type is the most common.
With interfaces, we figured out what to do next? How to connect 2 monitors to a laptop? We read further.
to the contents ↑Connection process
Before you start the procedure, you should carefully inspect the laptop to determine the presence of interfaces. If the cable you have already selected, you can read the following instruction:
- Turn off your laptop. The device is better to disable, because some computers immediately check for a second output device on boot.
- Connect the cable between the laptop and monitor ports. If necessary, use special adapters.
- Turn on the device, wait for the Windows operating system to boot.
- You can proceed with setting up the second monitor.
Configuring the
screen It is at this stage that newbies often have questions. Therefore, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the following configuration tips:
- Click PCM( right-click) on empty space on the desktop - you should see a menu before you.
- In this menu, you need to select "Personalize the screen"( if you own Windows 7) or "Screen settings"( if your device has a newer operating system).
Now you need to select the projection method for the second monitor:
- Select "Duplicate" if you want the monitor to display the same as the laptop's display.
- "Expand" should be selected if you want to expand the working space of screens and use two immediately.
- "Only the second screen" - the main screen will be turned off, and all information will be displayed on the second output device.
- To use only the laptop screen, you need to select the "Computer screen only" section in the previous menu.
Alternative way to connect
No one forbids the use of a TV as a monitor. Most often, the connection is established using a cable, but there is the possibility of using wireless communication.
TV requirements
This method implies that the TV has Miracast technology or Intel Wireless Display.
Requirements for the laptop:
- The laptop itself should be equipped with a processor from Intel, and more new.
- Also it must have a graphics card that supports WDDM 1.3 and Wi-Fi Direct.
- The Windows operating system is at least eight.
Detailed instructions for this switching method can be found in the documentation for the TV or reference information in Windows itself.
Well, now you know exactly how to connect the second monitor to the laptop in a variety of ways and means. No one will prevent you from playing with your friends on two monitors or watching your favorite series, doing your own thing.