Recently, a paradoxical situation has developed in the market – in some cases laptops can cost less than fixed computers with similar characteristics. Not surprisingly, many users decide to purchase a laptop. But then the question arises: how to display the image on the screen. In this guide, we describe all the available ways to connect a monitor to a laptop.
The main ways to connect a monitor to a laptop
If you are using modern equipment, the most preferred connection method is to use an HDMI cable. It allows you to transmit an image with a resolution of up to 4K, as well as an audio signal. If your laptop and monitor have the correct connectors, we recommend using this method.
If your laptop or monitor doesn’t have an HDMI connector, you’ll have to use more outdated connection methods – VGA or DVI.
VGA connectors can be found on both modern and older devices. However, you must understand that this is an analog output, so the picture quality will be worse than when connected via an HDMI cable. It should be noted that this method is limited to image transfer only.
DVI-I cable can carry both analog and digital signals, only DVI-D digital and only DVI-A analog. Most often, on laptops, the second option is found. This 24-pin connector can transmit both audio and video.
You may have an HDMI connection on your laptop, and VGA or DVI on your monitor. In this case, you need to purchase an adapter and connect it to an HDMI cable.
There are more modern connection methods: Display Port and USB Type-C. If you have similar connections on your monitor and laptop, you can use those.
The Display Port connector is more compact than HDMI and has a high data transfer rate, but in practice you won’t feel a thing.
Keep in mind that some USB Type-C models allow you to charge your laptop, but it’s not an urgent need as you can always use a standard device. At the same time, Display Port and USB Type-C transmit both image and sound.
If your monitor and laptop are equipped with WiFi modules, they can be connected wirelessly. We will discuss this method in more detail below.
How to connect a monitor to a laptop
with cable
- Make sure your laptop and monitor are turned off. If they are connected to a network, the corresponding port may burn out during an HDMI connection.
- Use the cable to connect the monitor and laptop. If you are using adapters, connect them first.
- Turn on your laptop and monitor. If everything works fine, the image will be duplicated on both screens.
Using a Wi-Fi adapter
Highway:
- Right click on the desktop, select Network and then Miracast. Set the slider to On. If this item is missing, just enable WiFi on the monitor and laptop.
- Press the key combination Win + P and select “Wireless”.
- When the laptop “finds” the monitor, plug it in.
Alternative way:
- Click Start, then Settings, and then Devices.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device.
- Click Wireless Display or Dock.
- When the search is complete, select your monitor.
Adjusting the image on the monitor
After successfully connecting, press the “Win + P” or “Fn + F8” keys. The last button may differ depending on the laptop model. If this combination doesn’t work, use the following algorithm:
- Right click on the desktop.
- Select Display options.
- At the bottom of this window is an item “Multiple displays”.
This takes you to the picture settings menu on the monitor and allows you to select one of the following options:
- Computer screen only This mode assumes that the monitor is turned off and the laptop display is turned on. This can be useful if a large screen is not needed at the moment.
- recurring The images on the laptop and monitor are duplicated.
- To expand The laptop screen and monitor are transformed into one workspace. In this case, you will get the same effect as connecting two monitors to one computer.
- Second screen only In this mode, the laptop turns off, but the monitor continues to work.
The exact names of the modes may differ depending on the laptop model.
Source: VG Times