This article shows you how to connect a second monitor to a laptop or desktop computer. You can install a second monitor on both a Windows computer and a Mac. However, you must first verify that your system supports connecting multiple displays.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Make sure your computer supports connecting an external monitor or multiple displays in the case of a desktop
Normally it is always possible to connect an external monitor to a laptop computer, but not all desktop systems allow the connection of multiple monitors; in this case it is therefore necessary to carry out a preventive check:
- Laptop systems - if your laptop has a video port, it means it supports connecting an external monitor.
- Desktop systems - Your computer must have a graphics card with at least two video out ports (one for connecting the primary monitor and one for connecting the secondary monitor). The video ports do not have to be of the same type, but they must be installed on the same graphics card. This means that if your computer has multiple graphics cards, you will need to use the same one to connect both monitors.
Step 2. Identify the type of video port on your computer
Normally this port is located along either side of a laptop case or in the back of a desktop system case (in this case, look at where the main monitor is plugged in). Normally the video ports used by graphics cards are the following:
- HDMI - has a thinned rectangular shape with two rounded corners;
- DisplayPort - has a rectangular shape with a rounded corner;
- USB-C - has a thinned rectangular shape with rounded sides;
- VGA - is colored and has a trapezoidal shape and consists of 15 pins. Computers manufactured after 2012 should have abandoned the VGA video standard, however you may need to purchase a VGA adapter if you need to use an older monitor (or use a computer manufactured before 2012).
Step 3. Locate the video connection port of the monitor
Modern monitors generally come with an HMDI or DisplayPort, but in some cases they also provide the VGA connection.
If you have an extremely dated monitor, you may also find a DVI video port. It is a rectangular door of considerable size and white in color consisting of 25 PINs
Step 4. Purchase the connection cable needed to connect the monitor to the computer
If you don't already have one (for example a normal HDMI cable) you will need to buy the one that's right for you.
- If your computer and monitor adopt modern standards for video connection (for example, they have HDMI ports), it will be easier and cheaper to purchase a single cable that is suitable for this standard even if a connection type with a definition is available. or better quality.
- If your monitor does not have the same video port as your computer (for example, if your monitor has a VGA port and your computer only has an HDMI port), you will need to purchase a suitable adapter.
- There are cables on the market that also act as adapters, in the sense that they allow you to directly connect different video ports (for example HDMI and DisplayPort). In this case, just buy the cable suitable for the combination of video ports you need to connect, without the need to also buy an adapter.
Step 5. Connect one end of the video cable to the computer
The connector should fit snugly into the computer's video port.
Remember that if you are using a desktop computer, you will need to use the free video port of the same graphics card that the primary monitor is connected to
Step 6. Connect the other end of the cable to the monitor
The still free connector should fit smoothly into the video port of the monitor you have chosen to use.
If you need to use an adapter, plug the end of the cable into the correct port on the adapter, then plug the adapter into the monitor's video port
Step 7. Turn on the monitor
If you have not yet connected it to the mains, do so now using the appropriate cable. Once the connection is established, press the "Power" button to start it up.
Depending on your computer and operating system configuration settings, the desktop image may automatically appear on the screen as soon as you turn on the second monitor
Step 8. Enter the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 9. Launch the Settings app by clicking the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 10. Click the System icon
It features a stylized computer monitor and is located in the upper left of the page that appeared.
Step 11. Go to the Display tab
It is located in the upper left corner of the newly appeared screen.
Step 12. Scroll down the menu to be able to select the "Multiple Displays" drop-down menu
It is visible in the "Multiple Screens" section at the bottom of the page. A list of options will be displayed.
Step 13. Select how to use the screens
Depending on your needs on how to use the second monitor, you have one of the following options available:
- Duplicate these screens - the image that is displayed on the main computer screen will also be reproduced on the second monitor;
- Extend these screens - the second monitor will be used as an extension of the main screen, in order to expand the desktop and the entire Windows work area;
- Show only on 1 - the monitor identified with the number "2" will be turned off and the image will be visible only on the main monitor;
- Show only on 2 - the monitor identified with the number "1" will be turned off and the image will be visible only on the secondary monitor;
- Depending on your computer, you may also have other options available.
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Find out what Mac model you have
All Macs manufactured by Apple support the connection of at least one external monitor, however some monitors have a single communication port that is used for battery charging, data transfer and also for connecting an external monitor.. If you're using a MacBook that has only one communication port, make sure the computer's battery is fully charged, then free the port by unplugging any peripherals currently connected to the Mac (such as a USB memory drive).
Step 2. Locate your Mac's video output port
Depending on your computer model, the video port is located along one side of the Mac (MacBook and MacBook Pro) or on the back of the monitor (in the case of an iMac):
- USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) - has a tapered rectangular shape with rounded sides. Modern MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and iMacs have 1 to 4 USB-C ports;
- Thunderbolt 2 - has a boxy shape and equips older Macs;
- HDMI - has a rectangular shape with the two lower corners rounded. You can find it on older Macs.
Step 3. Locate the video connection port of the monitor
Modern monitors generally come with an HMDI or DisplayPort, but in some cases they also provide the VGA connection.
If you have an extremely dated monitor, you may also find a DVI video port. It is a rectangular door of considerable size and white in color consisting of 25 PINs
Step 4. Purchase the connection cable needed to connect the monitor to the computer
If you don't already have one (for example a normal HDMI cable) you will need to buy the one that's right for you.
- If your computer and monitor adopt modern standards for video connection (for example, they have HDMI ports), it will be easier and cheaper to purchase a single cable that is suitable for this standard even if a connection type with a definition is available. or better quality.
- If your monitor does not have the same video port as your computer (for example, if your monitor has a VGA port and your computer only has an HDMI port), you will need to purchase a suitable adapter.
- There are cables on the market that also act as adapters, in the sense that they allow you to directly connect different video ports (for example HDMI and DisplayPort). In this case, just buy the cable suitable for the combination of video ports you need to connect, without the need to also buy an adapter.
Step 5. Connect one end of the video cable to the computer
The connector should fit snugly into the computer's video port.
Step 6. Connect the other end of the cable to the monitor
The still free connector should fit smoothly into the video port of the monitor you have chosen to use.
If you need to use an adapter, plug the end of the cable into the correct port on the adapter, then plug the adapter into the monitor's video port
Step 7. Turn on the monitor
If you have not yet connected it to the mains, do so now using the appropriate cable. Once the connection is established, press the "Power" button to start it up.
Depending on the configuration settings of the Mac, as soon as I turn on the second monitor, the desktop image may automatically appear on the screen
Step 8. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 9. Choose the System Preferences… item
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Step 10. Click the Monitor icon
It features a stylized computer monitor and is visible within the "System Preferences" window. A new pop-up window will appear.
Step 11. Go to the Arrangement tab
It is located at the top of the "Monitor" window.
Step 12. Use the second monitor as an extension of the primary screen
If you need more space to work, you can extend the Mac desktop to the second monitor by deselecting the "Duplicate monitor" check button at the bottom of the window.
Conversely, if you need the second monitor to display the same images that are shown on the main Mac monitor, skip this step
Advice
- It is often cheaper to buy patch cords online than in the store.
- When you use the second monitor to extend the desktop size, then to enlarge the workspace, moving the mouse cursor over the right side of the first monitor screen will automatically transfer the pointer to the second.
