How To Use Laptop As Monitor [Ultmiate Solution for Beginners]
We’ll teach you how to use laptop as a monitor or second screen in this article. Laptops’ major advantages are obvious: they’re portable, allowing you to operate freely and flexibly anywhere you choose. Most people ignore the fact that you may use your laptop as a monitor while you’re seated at a desk or don’t have another display device nearby.
Extending your laptop’s display over multiple displays is the simplest choice, and it’s a terrific way to increase your productivity. You may easily examine various web pages or cross-reference a document without having to switch between numerous tabs.
Rather than merely mirroring your laptop’s screen on the monitor, you may utilise both displays to display separate programmes and information by expanding it.
How To Use Laptop As Monitor
You may use your laptop to enlarge the display on a desktop or to function as a second monitor. It’s a bit more difficult procedure because your laptop only displays its own display and isn’t meant to output the display of another device, such as your TV.
So, in order to make your laptop’s display to act as a monitor for another device, you’ll need to either utilise Windows’ built-in functionality or third-party software. And, in this post, we’ll teach you how to set up your laptop as either a secondary or primary display for your PC.
How to Extend the Display on Your Laptop
To begin, you’ll need to have the correct display cable for your laptop in order to connect it to a monitor. Choose the correct cable for your needs and plug it into your display. Your laptop may utilise an HDMI cable, DisplayPort, mini-DisplayPort, or have a docking station, so find the proper cable for your needs and plug it into your display.
Open ‘Settings > Settings > Display’ after that. To easily switch between display modes, right-click on your desktop and select ‘Display Settings’, or use the shortcut ‘Windows key + P.’
You might see two or more numbered screens under the “Select and rearrange displays” section if your laptop has properly linked to your monitor. If this is not the case, click ‘Detect’ to compel Windows to look for a different display.
If you’re not sure which screen is which, click ‘Identify,’ and a number will appear to indicate which one is which. You may also rearrange your displays to your liking; just remember to click “Apply” when you’re finished.
Scroll down to the dropdown menu labelled “Multiple displays” and choose it. You may pick from a range of alternatives from here, but the one we’re interested in is ‘Extend these displays.’ Select it to extend your display over multiple screens, then select which screen you want to be your primary display.
That’s all there is to it! On your Windows 10 laptop, you may now work across several screens.
How To Use macOS To Extend The Display Of Your Laptop
Whether you want to connect another display to your MacBook, first check the ports on your computer to see if you need an adaptor. Connect the cable to your monitor and continue on to the following step once you’ve chosen the proper one for the job.
Select ‘System Preferences > Displays’ from the Apple menu, then the ‘Arrangement’ option. Make sure the Mirror Displays box is not checked, then drag your displays to the appropriate place. To make a different screen the primary display, simply move the menu bar to the desired screen.
We’ll presume you wish to utilize your laptop as a monitor to display your Windows 10 desktop in this situation.
Select ‘Settings > System > Projecting to this PC’ from the drop-down menu. Change the first drop-down selection to ‘Available everywhere on secure networks’ and adjust the other parameters as needed. Return to your desktop PC and select the ‘Action Center’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the taskbar once more.
Select the laptop you want to use by clicking on ‘Connect’ and selecting it. You must then accept the connection request on the laptop and, if you choose that option, key in a pin.
After that, pick ‘Desktop Settings’ from the right-click menu on your desktop. Make sure you choose ‘Extend desktop to this monitor’ from the display options. After that, you may rearrange your desktop and laptop displays as you see fit.
Using Your Laptop to Remotely Connect to Your Desktop
Another method is to operate another computer using your laptop’s display (along with its keyboard, mouse, and trackpad). Obviously, this isn’t the same as utilising your laptop as a display; instead, you’ll be utilising your laptop to take entire control of your primary computer. This is also the way to go if you want to utilise your more transportable laptop to acquire access to your primary desktop system.
Connecting to your desktop remotely from your laptop is a straightforward technique that can be achieved using a variety of third-party tools.
How to Control Your Desktop Computer from Your Laptop Remotely
- Download TeamViewer for your laptop and desktop from teamviewer.us.
- Install TeamViewer on both of your computers after you’ve downloaded it.
- Get your desktop computer’s TeamViewer ID.
- On your laptop, launch TeamViewer.
- Fill in the Partner ID area on your laptop with the ID of your desktop machine and click Connect.
- It will prompt you for your desktop password, which you should enter and then press Log On.
- From your laptop, you’ll be able to operate your desktop.
What Are My Options For Using A Second Monitor?
When buying a laptop, few people contemplate using it as a second display, but it’s great to know you have the option. Laptops that are no longer performing at their best can be utilised as a display if the screen and operating system are still functional. It is no longer required to store or discard your sluggish laptop on a shelf where it will accumulate dust.
By attaching a second monitor, you may optimise your workflow in a variety of ways. The following are the most common applications:
- The ability to compare two papers or projects side by side.
- One display is used for research while the other is used for writing.
- Maintaining a separate display for conversation or messaging apps such as Slack.
- On a single display, set up alerts and real-time notifications.
- On one screen, you’re watching the big game while working on the other.
- While playing the game, you may stream your favourite YouTube player.
You may have profited from having a second (or even third) display each time you had to switch between two apps, software tools, or browser windows. Once you start using one, you’ll think of new ways to utilise it that haven’t been stated before.
Remember that you’ll be utilizing your laptop’s screen as a monitor, so every component on your laptop doesn’t have to be in perfect working condition to serve as an additional monitor. A laptop with a functional display is a fantastic addition for the busy gamer or business professional, even if you don’t have access to all of the functions.
Read more:
TN vs. IPS What’s the Best Display Panel ?
Conclusion
These simple steps should get you working more effectively in no time if you’ve ever wondered how to utilize a laptop as a monitor. Giving a laptop, even one that isn’t in perfect working order, a fresh lease on life as a monitor is also a good method to keep a gadget out of the garbage. It makes sense to include today’s laptops’ high-tech screens into your workflow, since many of them provide higher quality, larger screen sizes, and bolder visuals.
About Author
Hello, I am Zayn, a tech enthusiast, and have been writing on this topic for the past 10 years. I have had my hands on hundreds of tech gadgets over the years and know what it takes to make a quality product that stands out from the crowd. That’s why; I only focus on providing test results, reviews, and buying guides for technology devices. Thank you very much for taking the time to look at my bio; it really means a lot!