The instruction is suitable for both laptops and for desktop PCs.
How to connect a second monitor to a laptop or a desktop computer
Determine what your monitor has a cable. To do this, check its connector, which is inserted into the computer. Most likely, this is HDMI or VGA. The connector will surely be signed. If not, find out the type of cable on the website of the monitor manufacturer or from the official documentation.
You can also try to determine the connector visually using these schematic images.
Types of connectors. Image: Apple Support / Lifehaker
Now figure it out, the connectors for which cables are on the computer. This can again be done with the help of signatures on the case, if they are, as well as using the manufacturer’s site or documents for a PC. HDMI and VGA connectors are present on most devices.
If there is a suitable connector, just insert a monitor cable into it. Otherwise, you will need an adapter. For example, if for the video signal the computer has only a USB -C connector (typical of MacBook), and your monitor is connected via HDMI, you will need a USB -C / HDMI adapter.
An example of the USB-C / HDMI adapter from QGEEM. Image: Amazon
If the current cable is not compatible with the computer, but the monitor has an additional connector of the same type as on a PC, do not rush with the adapter. Instead, you can buy another cable for which there are connectors both on the monitor and on the computer. Most likely, this option will be cheaper than the adapter.
When there are several connectors in the laptop, it is advisable to choose the one that supports the best resolution and frame rate. For example, the majority of MacBook on HDMI do not display a 4K picture or do it only with a 30 Hz unfolding, but at the same time they calmly show 4K 60 Hz when connecting via DisplayPort. You can clarify all the necessary details in the documentation for the laptop.
How to set up two monitors
Typically, the computer automatically recognizes the second monitor after connecting. You just have to go to the OS settings and choose a convenient operating mode with several screens. If the new device does not appear in the settings menu, make sure that you correctly connected it to the computer and power grid, and also did not forget about the power button.
If the monitor has several ports to get video data, you may manually activate the one through which you connected the computer. To do this, call the screen menu with hardware buttons and select the right port in it: HDMI, VGA or another.
Usually on monitors 1-2 buttons, so you must find the right one without problems. If necessary, you can see the instructions for your model.
How to set up two monitors in Windows
Open the screen parameters. In Windows 10, this menu is located in the “Parameters” section → “System” → “Display”. In other versions of Windows, settings may differ. But in almost any system they can also be opened through the control panel or context menu, clicking on the right button on the desktop. Or through the search for Windows at the request of the “screen”, “display” or “monitor”.
All displays connected to the computer appear in the settings menu in the form of rectangles. If you do not see them, click “detect”. When the rectangles appear, select one of the three desktop display modes under them.
1. Duplication of screens
In this mode, both monitors synchronously show the same image. But if one of them does not support the permission of the second, then on the display with a higher resolution the desktop will be reduced and black fields will appear.
It is convenient to duplicate the screens if you use them, for example, for presentations: one display for you, the other for the audience.
2. Extended desktop
Having chosen the expansion of the desktop, you divide it between displays. Each of them will show only a fragment of an affordable area. You can choose which part of the desktop will display a specific display. To do this, you need to move the rectangles of the screens relative to each other.
This mode is used to improve multitasking. So, you can run different programs on each display and see them in front of you at the same time. It is very convenient if you need to work with several windows at once, which do not fit on one screen.
3. Using one of the connected displays
This mode leaves only the selected screen, the second continues to work, but with the backlight turned off. This option is often used by laptop owners to work for a large external display instead of built -in. The external is left active, and the darkened built -in is slightly lowered with the lid so that it does not interfere with look at the large monitor.
The Win + P combination allows you to switch between displays operating modes on the fly.
By choosing a suitable mode, you can configure the resolution of active displays and other familiar parameters. After that, everything will be ready for work.
How to set up two monitors in MacOS
Expand the Apple menu, go to the “System Settings” section → “Monitors” and click on the “Location” tab. You will see blue rectangles that depict the screens connected to the computer. Select in this menu one of the two desktop display modes.
1. Extended desktop
This mode in MacOS works in almost the same way as in Windows. The desktop is separated between the two screens, and you can freely distribute open windows between them. When the cursor goes beyond the boundaries of one display, it appears on the other. To configure which part of the desktop displays a particular screen, just rearrange the rectangles relative to each other.
One of the displays in this mode is the main one and contains the menu line. A white strip is displayed on its rectangle. To make the main another screen, drag the strip to its rectangle.
In this case, the dock is always displayed on the display that is below. In order for the panel to appear on another screen, you need to move the cursor to its lower border. If this does not suit you, you can disconnect the option “Monitors with separate work spaces Spaces” in the Mission Control settings and set the location of the screens “diagonally” as a screenshot above – then the dock will always be on the external monitor.
2. Video withdrawal
The video recovery is similar to the screens duplication mode in Windows. When it is chosen, the rectangles in the diagram merge into one and all the displays show the same image. To activate this mode, put the mark “Turn on the Video Explorer of Monitors”.
When you select the desired mode, open the Monitor tab and, if necessary, configure the resolution and other screens parameters. After that you can start work.
Closed display mode
In addition to the listed, MacOS supports a special closed display mode. With it, you can use MacBook as a system unit with a closed lid.
This mode is activated automatically under the following conditions. The laptop should be on the charge and sleep. In addition, a monitor should be connected to it, as well as a keyboard or mouse. If at the same time, press the keyboard or mouse button, the laptop will wake up, the external screen will work, and the built -in will remain turned off.
If you connect a keyboard or a Bluetooth mouse, then to use the closed display mode you will need to allow wireless devices to remove the MAC from the sleep mode. This can be done in the Bluetooth settings.
How to connect a second monitor to a laptop or a desktop computer
Determine what your monitor has a cable. To do this, check its connector, which is inserted into the computer. Most likely, this is HDMI or VGA. The connector will surely be signed. If not, find out the type of cable on the website of the monitor manufacturer or from the official documentation.
You can also try to determine the connector visually using these schematic images.
Types of connectors. Image: Apple Support / Lifehaker
Now figure it out, the connectors for which cables are on the computer. This can again be done with the help of signatures on the case, if they are, as well as using the manufacturer’s site or documents for a PC. HDMI and VGA connectors are present on most devices.
If there is a suitable connector, just insert a monitor cable into it. Otherwise, you will need an adapter. For example, if for the video signal the computer has only a USB -C connector (typical of MacBook), and your monitor is connected via HDMI, you will need a USB -C / HDMI adapter.
An example of the USB-C / HDMI adapter from QGEEM. Image: Amazon
If the current cable is not compatible with the computer, but the monitor has an additional connector of the same type as on a PC, do not rush with the adapter. Instead, you can buy another cable for which there are connectors both on the monitor and on the computer. Most likely, this option will be cheaper than the adapter.
When there are several connectors in the laptop, it is advisable to choose the one that supports the best resolution and frame rate. For example, the majority of MacBook on HDMI do not display a 4K picture or do it only with a 30 Hz unfolding, but at the same time they calmly show 4K 60 Hz when connecting via DisplayPort. You can clarify all the necessary details in the documentation for the laptop.
How to set up two monitors
Typically, the computer automatically recognizes the second monitor after connecting. You just have to go to the OS settings and choose a convenient operating mode with several screens. If the new device does not appear in the settings menu, make sure that you correctly connected it to the computer and power grid, and also did not forget about the power button.
If the monitor has several ports to get video data, you may manually activate the one through which you connected the computer. To do this, call the screen menu with hardware buttons and select the right port in it: HDMI, VGA or another.
Usually on monitors 1-2 buttons, so you must find the right one without problems. If necessary, you can see the instructions for your model.
How to set up two monitors in Windows
Open the screen parameters. In Windows 10, this menu is located in the “Parameters” section → “System” → “Display”. In other versions of Windows, settings may differ. But in almost any system they can also be opened through the control panel or context menu, clicking on the right button on the desktop. Or through the search for Windows at the request of the “screen”, “display” or “monitor”.
All displays connected to the computer appear in the settings menu in the form of rectangles. If you do not see them, click “detect”. When the rectangles appear, select one of the three desktop display modes under them.
1. Duplication of screens
In this mode, both monitors synchronously show the same image. But if one of them does not support the permission of the second, then on the display with a higher resolution the desktop will be reduced and black fields will appear.
It is convenient to duplicate the screens if you use them, for example, for presentations: one display for you, the other for the audience.
2. Extended desktop
Having chosen the expansion of the desktop, you divide it between displays. Each of them will show only a fragment of an affordable area. You can choose which part of the desktop will display a specific display. To do this, you need to move the rectangles of the screens relative to each other.
This mode is used to improve multitasking. So, you can run different programs on each display and see them in front of you at the same time. It is very convenient if you need to work with several windows at once, which do not fit on one screen.
3. Using one of the connected displays
This mode leaves only the selected screen, the second continues to work, but with the backlight turned off. This option is often used by laptop owners to work for a large external display instead of built -in. The external is left active, and the darkened built -in is slightly lowered with the lid so that it does not interfere with look at the large monitor.
The Win + P combination allows you to switch between displays operating modes on the fly.
By choosing a suitable mode, you can configure the resolution of active displays and other familiar parameters. After that, everything will be ready for work.
How to set up two monitors in MacOS
Expand the Apple menu, go to the “System Settings” section → “Monitors” and click on the “Location” tab. You will see blue rectangles that depict the screens connected to the computer. Select in this menu one of the two desktop display modes.
1. Extended desktop
This mode in MacOS works in almost the same way as in Windows. The desktop is separated between the two screens, and you can freely distribute open windows between them. When the cursor goes beyond the boundaries of one display, it appears on the other. To configure which part of the desktop displays a particular screen, just rearrange the rectangles relative to each other.
One of the displays in this mode is the main one and contains the menu line. A white strip is displayed on its rectangle. To make the main another screen, drag the strip to its rectangle.
In this case, the dock is always displayed on the display that is below. In order for the panel to appear on another screen, you need to move the cursor to its lower border. If this does not suit you, you can disconnect the option “Monitors with separate work spaces Spaces” in the Mission Control settings and set the location of the screens “diagonally” as a screenshot above – then the dock will always be on the external monitor.
2. Video withdrawal
The video recovery is similar to the screens duplication mode in Windows. When it is chosen, the rectangles in the diagram merge into one and all the displays show the same image. To activate this mode, put the mark “Turn on the Video Explorer of Monitors”.
When you select the desired mode, open the Monitor tab and, if necessary, configure the resolution and other screens parameters. After that you can start work.
Closed display mode
In addition to the listed, MacOS supports a special closed display mode. With it, you can use MacBook as a system unit with a closed lid.
This mode is activated automatically under the following conditions. The laptop should be on the charge and sleep. In addition, a monitor should be connected to it, as well as a keyboard or mouse. If at the same time, press the keyboard or mouse button, the laptop will wake up, the external screen will work, and the built -in will remain turned off.
If you connect a keyboard or a Bluetooth mouse, then to use the closed display mode you will need to allow wireless devices to remove the MAC from the sleep mode. This can be done in the Bluetooth settings.