Can I connect a second monitor to my laptop with HDMI?
In the below article, we will cover different situations, depending on your equipment and what you are trying to achieve: Show
General requirements (for all situations)Start by checking the ports available:
Typically, you are likely to have either one or several or these options:
How to locate the ports
Getting the right cableDepending on the ports available, you will need a different type of cable to connect the computer to the monitor. VGA Cable Also known as D-sub cable, analog video cable
Where can I Find a VGA Cable? HDMI Cable
Note: HMDI allows to transmit to only display but also sound. If you have an 'HDMI cable with ethernet' it will also convey internet (replaces the ethernet cable) Where can I Find an HDMI Cable? USB-C / Thunderbolt
Note:These cables are high speed, capable of carrying data, video, sound and other information. Where can I find a USB-C Cable? MiniDisplay
Note:MiniDisplay only carries video Where can I find a MiniDisplay cable? DVI Cable
Where can I find a DVI cable? Adapters and 'mix-and-match' cablesAlso note that you can find 'mix and match' cables allowing you to connect a monitor and a computer that have different types of ports. For example, you can connect a monitor that only has a DVI port to a computer that only has an HDMI port. In this case, the cable has one end with a DVI connection and the other end with an HDMI port. That's just an example, as you can find many different types of cables and adaptations to almost all situations. A variety of adaptors are also available on the market, allowing to plug into the USB-C / Thunderbolt or MiniDisplay ports of the computer and then to plug in any type of cable from the monitor. A benefit is that it allows to plug in various types of connectors, helping in a variety of situations and especially useful when travelling between different offices, each of them having different set-ups. Sometimes you have only one HDMI port on your computer (typically on a laptop), but need two ports so that you can connect 2 external monitors. In this case:
Which display port option is the best / recommended?Which type of port to choose if you have different options available on your computer and monitor? If available, we definitely recommend to preferably use either the USB-C / Thunderbolt or the HDMI port, as they both convey both video, sound and for some of them data and internet. How to connect 1 monitor to a computer (laptop or desktop)Step 1 - Cables & connectionsCheck the ports available on the computer as well as on the monitor (see above) and source the appropriate cable. Then go ahead and connect one end to the monitor and the other end to the computer. If you are using a desktop computer, that's it! You're good to go! Step 2 - DisplayIf you are using a laptop, then this monitor you just connected is effectively a second monitor / display:
This means you have one last step to do, and that is to configure how the two screens will display. You have two main options:
The step-by-step procedure for the configuration of the displays is explained here: 'How to configure multiple screens on your computer' How to connect 2 monitors to desktop computerThe below apply only to desktop computer. To connect 2 monitors to a laptop computer, please see the appropriate section. If you have a desktop computer, it is likely that you will have different display ports on the computer (for example either several HDMI ports, or one HDMI port and one VGA port). If your monitor also has several display ports, then the connection is going to be easy! Step 1 - Cables & connectionsCheck the ports available on the computer as well as on the monitor (see above) and source the appropriate cables. You will need two cables: one to connect the first monitor to port no. 1 on your computer, and another one to connect the second monitor to port no. 2 on your computer. Then go ahead and connect one end to the monitor and the other end to the computer. Repeat the operation with the second cable. Step 2 - DisplayOne last step to do:configure how the two screens will display. You have two main options:
The step-by-step procedure for the configurationof the displays is explained here: 'How to configure multiple screens on your computer' How to connect 2 monitors to laptop computerIf you are using a laptop, then the 2 monitors you just connected means that you now have 3 monitors / displays
Step 1 - Check if your laptop allows 'multiple displays'Most Windows laptops now support dual monitors, at least. But you need to make sure your laptop is capable to add two external monitors. That depends on your Windows operating system as well as the capability of your graphics cards and drivers:
Step 2 - Cables & connectionsCheck the ports available on the computer as well as on the monitors (see above) and source the appropriate cables. You will need two cables: one to connect the first monitor to port no. 1 on your computer, and another one to connect the second monitor to port no. 2 on your computer. Then go ahead and connect one end to the monitor and the other end to the computer. Repeat the operation with the second cable. Step 3 - DisplayYou have one last step to do, and that is to configure how the 3 screens will display. You can make a different set-up for each additional screen: select the display, then what it will show in the 'multiple display' menu. As always, you have two main options:
The step-by-step procedure for the configurationof the displays is explained here: 'How to configure multiple screens on your computer' Share this! Other blog articles that might interest you: See All Blog Posts The ergonomics of working from home How to configure multiple screens on your computer Mouse Shoulder: How to relieve it? |