6 Ways To Connect A Laptop To A Monitor

HDMI: This is a 6-sided trapezoid-shaped port that’s about ¾ of an inch wide. DisplayPort: The size is similar to HDMI, but one of the corners is bent inward while the other forms a 90-degree angle. USB-C: This is an oval-shaped port on many modern PC laptops. Not all USB-C ports support connecting to a monitor, though. You can connect to a monitor with your USB-C port if you see one of the following: If you see a lightning bolt with an arrow at the bottom next to the port, the port supports Thunderbolt 3, and you can use a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3-compatible monitor. If you see an icon of a black “D” with a white “P” inside, the port supports DisplayPort, which means you can use a USB-C or DisplayPort-compatible monitor. VGA or DVI: Less common nowadays are VGA ports, which are 15-holed ports with two pins on either side, and DVI ports, which have 24 holes and a gap on one side.

If you see a lightning bolt with an arrow at the bottom next to the port, the port supports Thunderbolt 3, and you can use a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3-compatible monitor. If you see an icon of a black “D” with a white “P” inside, the port supports DisplayPort, which means you can use a USB-C or DisplayPort-compatible monitor.

Once connected, you should see your laptop’s desktop and icons (or some variation thereof) appear on the monitor’s screen, you can proceed with setting up your laptop’s display settings. If you are using a monitor or TV that has multiple inputs, you will need to select the port you connected your laptop to on the monitor.

If you’re on Windows 10, click the drop-down menu under “Multiple Displays. " On Windows 11, click the drop-down menu to the right of the “Identify” button. Select Duplicate these displays if you want to see the same exact thing on both screens at the same time. Select Extend these displays if you want to use the second monitor as a continuation of your desktop space. This lets you drag windows between screens. Select Show only on 1 if you want to use the monitor labeled “1” as your only monitor. This is your laptop’s built-in screen. Choosing this will turn off the external monitor. Select Show only on 2 to only show your laptop’s contents on the monitor that’s labeled “2,” which is the external monitor. This turns off your laptop’s built-in screen as long as the external monitor is connected.

Click the Identify button to display each monitor’s number each screen it’s assigned to. Click the display you want to make your main display. Select Make this my main display under “Multiple displays. "

If you’re extending your desktop, you can test the new setup by moving your mouse in the direction of the other monitor—the cursor will appear on the other screen when moved in the right direction.

If you choose this option for “On battery,” the second monitor will stay on even if you close the laptop if you’re not plugged in. This could drastically decrease the life of your battery, so it’s not recommended.

Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt USB 4: An oval port with a lightning bolt, found on all MacBook Pros beginning in 2016, and MacBook Airs beginning in 2018. [3] X Research source USB-C: An oval port without a lightning bolt icon. 12” MacBook Pros from 2015, 2016, and 2017 have these. [4] X Research source HDMI: A six-sided tapered port found on 2021 MacBook Pros, as well as MacBook Pros from 2012 to 2015. [5] X Research source Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt 2, or Mini DisplayPort: The original Thunderbolt ports both have 6 sides and are not oval-shaped. You’ll see a lightning bolt icon near this port on MacBook Air models from 2011-2017, and MacBook Pros from 2011-2015. On MacBook Pro and Air models made between 2008 and 2010, you’ll see a square with two vertical lines instead. If you’re not sure which port you can use for a monitor, go to https://support. apple. com/specs, select your model, and find the ports under “Charging and Expansion. "

Nearly all modern Apple monitors will work with Thunderbolt 3, 4, USB 4, and USB-C. Most of these monitors come with a cable that will fit into these ports and work immediately. Many non-Apple monitors also support Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, USB 4, USB-C, and HDMI.

MacBooks with Thunderbolt 4: Use a Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C cable to connect to any of these types of monitors. You can also use an adapter to connect to a DVI, HDMI, or VGA monitor. MacBooks with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt USB 4: Use a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C cable to connect to either of these monitor types. You can also use an adapter to connect to a DVI, HDMI, or VGA monitor. MacBooks with USB-C: Use a USB-C cable to connect to a USB-C monitor. You can also use an adapter to connect to a DVI, HDMI, or VGA monitor. MacBooks with Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt 2, and Mini DisplayPort : Use a Mini DisplayPort cable to connect to Mini DisplayPort monitor, or an adapter to DVI, HDMI, or VGA monitors.

If you are using a monitor or TV that has multiple inputs, you may need to select the port you connected your laptop to on the monitor. Press the button that says “Input”, “Source”. or “Video Select” or something similar on the monitor or remote. If you don’t see your MacBook’s screen on your monitor, you may need to detect the display. On your MacBook, click the Apple menu, select System Preferences, click Displays, and then click Detect Displays. [7] X Research source

If your plan is to close the laptop and use the second monitor as your only monitor, mirroring is the option you’ll want.

If you want your external monitor to be the primary monitor, click and hold the white bar with the mouse, and then drag it to the other monitor. The menu bar will only appear on the primary display. If you want to keep your laptop as your primary monitor, you don’t have to change anything here.

This makes it so you can easily drag a window from one monitor to another without having to guess which direction to drag it in.

This is also called “closed lid mode” or “closed clamshell mode. "

Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences. Click the Arrangement tab. Check the box next to “Mirror Displays. "

Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences. Click Battery. Drag the slider at the top all the way to the right (to “Never”).