How to Setup Dual Monitors
You may need to double-check the ports on your laptop. In general, a computer device or laptop should have at least one of the following given ports:
How to Setup Two Monitors in Windows [Dual Monitor set Up]
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In the modern era where all the work gets done on laptop and desktop, the need for another desktop arises after a while.
Especially when a person works on multiple windows at the same time that too on a single computer, one can slowly feel suffocated and frustrated. For people who multitask, setting up two monitors is a must. Any modern laptop or desktop can run dual displays. All one needs is a second monitor. This investment won’t go to waste. It will only boost productivity and efficiency.
Before we move towards the purchases of dual monitors, let us look through the process of setting up dual screens.
A step-by-step guide to setting up a dual-screen setup (a second monitor) with a laptop
Before setting up a dual-screen with a laptop, one needs to check a few things. However, most modern laptops are capable of adding external monitors. For example, Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 easily support multiple monitors.
Still, one needs to check its graphic card properties and make sure it supports external monitors. If it does not, then one needs to buy the correct graphics card and install it on their PC or laptop.
Next, one might need to check the ports of the laptop. Does the laptop have a DVI, VGA, HDMI, display port? Also, check for these ports on the monitor as well. However, if the ports differ in both the devices, then one can try using a display splitter, docking station, HDMI dual monitor adapter, and pluggable 4K DisplayPort.
Now that the person has made sure that the cables, ports, and graphic card specifications are ready, it’s easy to set up a dual-screen with a laptop. Once the cables are attached to their rightful places, then you need to follow the below-mentioned steps to set things up!
1. Plugin both the monitors to the back of the graphics card (not the motherboard).
2. Right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings.
3. As the two monitors are plugged in, the Display Settings page should automatically detect and represent both monitors by showing two boxes labeled “1” and “2.”
4. If the second monitor, for some reason, doesn’t appear in this box, click the Detect button to get the computer to identify both monitors.
5. Select the other grey box to configure that monitor.
6. Click and drag the boxes around to mirror the desk and monitor setup. If the user wants the primary monitor on the left or right side, simply drag the box representing the preferred monitor to the desired side.
7. The same thing happens if the monitors are stacked vertically or at an angle.
8. Once the user knows which monitor is primary and which monitor is secondary, click the box representing the preferred monitor.
9. Scroll down to check the box saying, “Make this my main display.”
10. However, sometimes, while doing an initial setup of adding a second monitor, both screens will mirror one another. Simply fix this by locating the multiple displays box.
11. Make sure the “Extend these displays” choice is selected for both monitors. This will essentially make two monitors act as a large one, allowing the user to move the mouse cursor between them as if there is no break between them.
12. Finally, the user can do final tweaks to the settings, such as changing the resolution, display orientation, and text size to complete the ideal setup.
Connectivity options available to connect the monitor to the laptop
Modern monitors come with a combination of DVI, VGA, HDMI, and DisplayPort ports. In other words, one has a couple of options for connecting the monitor to the laptop. However, one might purchase HDMI or DisplayPort cable separately if the two corresponding ports differ from each other.
Use an HDMI Cable
HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. It is a single cable stop for transferring HD video as well as audio. Most new laptops come with at least one HDMI port. The user only has to get an HDMI cable and connect one of its ends to the laptop and the other end to the monitor.
There are three types of HDMI connectors – Standard (handle all applications), Mini (for DSLR cameras, camcorders, and tablets), and Micro (for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices).
Although before purchasing an HDMI cable, check if the laptop has an HDMI port first, as it looks a lot like the DisplayPort input.
DisplayPort Cable
DisplayPort can also transfer HD audio and video signals from a laptop to a monitor. This port is more common than HDMI on the monitor. This connector has 20 pins and comes in two sizes, the mini-DisplayPort, and the DisplayPort.
One way to recognize DisplayPort is the appearance of the port itself. DisplayPort has five sides and has a slanted upper right-hand corner as opposed to HDMI, which has eight sides, with the left and right-hand corners appearing identical.
USB-C Cable
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. Some laptops come with Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C video output option. These ports are found in all kinds of devices, such as the latest smartphones, high-end laptops, and external hard drives. USB-C is an industry-standard connector for transferring both power and data over a single cable. The USB-IF develops the USB-C connector. USB-IF has huge companies like HP, Apple, Samsung, Dell, Microsoft, and Intel in its membership.
DVI Cable
DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface and is the oldest display option. It doesn’t offer good quality. However, it can still display a resolution of up to 2560 x 1600 pixels. If the user has an old monitor, then it might have only a DVI input. It is an industry-standard connector for the transfer of digital video content. It can be configured to support DVI-A (analog), DVI-D (digital), or DVI-I (digital and analog).
VGA Adapters
VGA adaptors are the oldest connector used for computer video output. It was introduced by IBM and could display millions of colors. Its 15-pin connector was a standard analog monitor adaptor for over two decades. However, the newer computers no longer have VGA connectors.
Windows settings to duplicate and extend the displays
Working with external monitors at the same time boosts productivity and allows the user to work with various applications at the same time. It is the best tool for multitasking.
Windows automatically detects when the user tries to connect to the second monitor. However, if one doesn’t see the option, then press the Fn key and F5 key to configure laptop + external screen, laptop display only, or the external screen only. Another option is that one can press the Windows key + P together to reach the same display.
How to Duplicate the Screen?
When the screen is detected, make sure to select ‘Duplicate these displays’ under the Multiple Displays drop-down menu.
The desktop is duplicated to run demos and presentations where each display has its unique refresh rate and screen resolution. For example, if the user pairs a 1024 x 768 pixels resolution projector to a laptop with a 1366 x 768 pixels resolution screen, both will run at a lower resolution, i.e., 1024 x 768 pixels resolution. The display most probably will have black bars boundaries on the left as well as on the right of the laptop screen.
How to extend the display?
Extending monitors means the computer interprets that the monitor the user is attaching is a separate device. One can see different things on each monitor, but the monitors together behave as one big screen.
- For that either press the Windows + P key together or right-click on display and select Display settings.
- Navigate to Display Settings
- Click on Multiple Displays
- Open the drop-down menu and select Extend these displays
- Now, go back to Display settings
- Under customize your display, the user can see the local arrangement of monitors by 1 and 2
- Select Identify to check how Windows detects monitors
- Drag the display boxes to match the monitor’s physical order
- Select Apply and keep the changes
How to split screen between two different monitors?
Splitting screens can be a synonym phrase for doing multitasking using both monitors. A perfect example of its usage can be of any YouTuber. Nowadays, artists of many video streaming platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, etc., use OBS and such software to ease the whole streaming process.
They usually open the content screen, such as any game, meeting, or any visuals they want to share with their audience on one screen and the OBS controller on the other one.
Steps to split your windows into two different monitors
- For that, either press the Windows + P key together or right-click on display and select Display settings.
- Navigate to Display Settings
- Click on Multiple Displays
- Open the drop-down menu and select show only on 1
- Now, go back to Display settings
- Under customize your display, the user can see a preview of both monitors by 1 and 2
- After setting the view on Monitor 1 in a similar manner, one can set the display in monitor 2.
Is it possible to have different refresh rates on both monitors?
Yes, one can use multiple monitors with different refresh rates simultaneously. However, it’s better to use each monitor for a separate task and also make sure that the resolutions match. Ideally, one needs to have two identical monitors that match not only refresh rates but resolution and color settings as well. Although, it’s also fine to use mismatched refresh rates on a computer.
It’s common to use a primary display (144 Hz monitor) for games and use a 60 Hz monitor as a secondary monitor. But when the user connects two monitors with different refresh rates together, some complications may arise. The most common is a stuttering problem on a 144 Hz monitor and forcing it to scale down to 60 Hz when anything plays on a 60 Hz monitor.
The GPU commonly locks both displays to match the lower refresh rate when connecting two monitors with different refresh rates. It primarily happens with Nvidia GPUs.
One can fix mismatch refresh rates by solutions given down below. These solutions are focused on the PCs or laptops working on any Nvidia graphic card.
GPU scaling
- Open NvidiaControl Panel
- Select Adjust Desktop Size and Position option
- The screen will pop up where the user needs to decide which display to edit.
- Select both displays
- Set both to scale to GPU
Turn on Nvidia G-Sync
Nvidia G-Sync is a technology that provides smooth gameplay by allowing the GPU and monitor to work with each other seamlessly. It is an ultimate gaming display, and the variable refresh rate ensures no tears during gameplay since the GPU outputs every frame. Although, the user needs to ensure that its display supports Nvidia G-Sync.
Connect 60Hz monitor to the motherboard
Let CPU handle it. Plug a 60 Hz monitor straight into the motherboard. A CPU should have integrated graphics. If the user has an Intel CPU, it’s going to work. It might not work for AMD CPU. The new CPUs can handle it just fine, although it might put a minor strain on an old one.
Disable hardware acceleration on browser
Disabling hardware acceleration on the browser means the CPU will run all video-playing tasks on the desktop. This won’t put too much burden. If it doesn’t work on Google Chrome, then try Firefox.
- Navigate to the settings menu of the browser
- Search disable hardware acceleration
- It’s usually listed under the system tab.
- Disable it
Best Monitors
#1. LG 32MP60G-B Monitor
LG 32MP60G-B Monitor is a secondary monitor with high image quality and has a 32-inch display size. It comes with a stand and is also wall mountable. It includes an HDMI cable and has a 75 Hz refresh rate. The monitor is thin and weighs around 12.8 pounds. It has DisplayPort and D-sub as well.
This monitor supports AMD FreeSync Technology that helps to eliminate any tearing while gaming. LG has added an IPS panel that enables a wide viewing angle as well as color fidelity.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG 32MP60G-B Monitor 31.5″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Display, AMD FreeSync, 1ms MBR Response Time,… | No ratings yet | Buy on Amazon |
This monitor has 1ms of response time. It is an affordable monitor and has an excellent price-performance ratio. It comes with a video resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, so it supports Full HD resolution movies and all other visual stuff.
#2. Acer Nitro XV272U
Acer Nitro XV272U is a 1440p gaming monitor. It has a 170 Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. This monitor has a 2560 x 1440 pixels resolution widescreen.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Nitro XV272U Pbmiiprzx 27″ WQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS G-SYNC Compatible Monitor, 144Hz, 1ms VRB,… | $449.88 | Buy on Amazon |
Acer has added an IPS panel and supports AMD Radeon FreeSync technology. It provides HDMI and USB cable. The display has various ports such as Display Port, HDMI, and USB.
It includes HDMI and USB cable as well. It comes with two speakers and supports 1.07 billion colors. Acer Nitro is an affordable computer that promises silky smooth visuals with faster frame rendering and lower input lag to make quicker decisions.
#3. Asus TUF
Asus TUF is a 27-inch (2560×1440 pixels) IPS gaming monitor with a 1ms response time, 165 Hz refresh rate, and G-Sync compatibility for a tear-free experience. The monitor comes with ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync Technology that possesses a 1ms response time and an Adaptive-Sync that eliminates ghosting as well as tearing. It provides sharp gaming visuals with high frame rates.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS TUF Gaming 27″ 2K HDR Gaming Monitor (VG27AQ) – QHD (2560 x 1440), 165Hz (Supports 144Hz), 1ms,… | No ratings yet | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
ASUS Eye Care technology will minimize eye fatigue and has an ergonomic stand with a full height that can tilt, swivel, and pivot to accommodate any desk. It offers flexible connectivity options with DisplayPort 1.2 and Dual HDMI. Asus TUF has a high dynamic range for color and brightness levels that exceed the capabilities of ordinary monitors.
#4. Z-Edge
Z-Edge is a 27-inch curved monitor that covers a broader field of view and enhances the depth of the perception. The monitor offers maximum immersion for movies and games. Built-in the high-end VA panel, the monitor enlarges the viewing angle to a greater extent, providing the 178° panoramic viewing angle. The contrast ratio 3000:1 offers richer colors, allowing the user to capture more image details.
It has a 75 Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time. The display dramatically reduces motion blur, picture stuttering, as well as ghosting. The fast response time brings a steady visual, giving the users an exceptional gaming experience.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z-Edge 27-inch Curved Gaming Monitor, Full HD 1080P 1920×1080 LED Backlight Monitor, with 75Hz… | No ratings yet | $179.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Flicker-free and low blue light technology minimizes blue light to protect eyes from strain after the prolonged use of the monitor. It has multiple port support, VGA, HDMI, and also comes with two speakers.
#5. Samsung CF390
Samsung CF390 is a 27-inch desktop business monitor. Its 1800R curved screen provides an immersive viewing experience for better productivity and also reduces eye fatigue. It has a full HD, i.e., 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution screen with an industry perfect 16:9 aspect ratio. Samsung VA panel delivers a wide viewing angle. It has an Eye Saver Mode as well as Flicker-Free technology that helps minimize eye strain due to long working hours.
It provides easy connectivity, HDMI input for high-speed devices, and VGA for legacy applications. The slim, VESA-mountable panel is suitable for multi-screen workstations.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung CF390 Series 27 inch FHD 1920×1080 Curved Desktop Monitor for Business, HDMI, VGA, VESA… | No ratings yet | $151.58 | Buy on Amazon |
This monitor has an adjustable-tilt stand that fits onto any desktop. Samsung CF390 monitor comes with a 3-Year Business Warranty with extended warranties available for purchase.
#6. LG 24MP400-B
LG 24MP400-B has a modern feel but a rustic design. It is thin and has a borderless design. This monitor has a 24-inch display. One can enjoy gaming, movies, shows, and videos in Full High Definition (FHD) with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG FHD 24-Inch Computer Monitor 24MP400-B, IPS with AMD FreeSync, Black | No ratings yet | Buy on Amazon |
LG’s FHD Monitors present amazingly accurate color performance with an IPS display to give the user an experience that wows from virtually any viewing angle.
AMD FreeSync compatibility brings clearer, faster, and smoother gameplay for the users. LG reduces screen tearing as well as minimizes stutter. The lack of input lags enables seamless, fluid movement in fast-paced games. Dynamic Action Sync elevates gameplay for a pro-level experience. LG 24MP400-B has a 75 Hz refresh rate.
Conclusion
Be it the gaming industry or total workflow that has drastically shifted to computers and laptops has given rise to working simultaneously on various computers at once. It has made work-life easy as well as productive. The immersive experience and high-definition of modern monitors have entirely changed the way computers have been used before.
Pairing a monitor with a laptop has offered the user a wide display to work on, and it is also super easy to connect two devices with the help of in-built multiple ports and cables. This article has discussed all the ways to set up dual monitors as well as the best secondary monitors that are affordable and easily available in the market.
More great readings on Gaming
How to Setup Dual Monitors
In need of extra screen space? Having two monitors or multiple monitors increases productivity by expanding the amount of on-screen space. In this guide, we will walk you through all the required steps that will get you started with your dual monitor setup.
First, let’s take a look at what it’s required in order to achieve a dual monitor setup. Setup of this kind won’t be possible if your computer doesn’t support multiple video connections. At the minimum, you’ll need two video-out ports to connect both your monitors. Generally, there are four types of ports: VGA, DVI, HDMI, and Display Port.
Note: If you do not have the required ports, then you’ll need an external connector/adapter to hook up the monitors to the system.
Most systems (laptops and desktops) nowadays are capable of accommodating a dual monitor setup. However, there may be compatibility or support issues depending on your specs, so be sure to check the manual on the availability of ports. Generally, desktops have more ports capable of outputting to multiple external monitors. But even with laptops, most of them have either two HDMI ports or HDMI + DVI.
Continue with the next section to make sure your equipment checks out.
Gathering the Hardware
The best way to set up your dual monitor setup is highly dependent on how your monitors connect and on the ports on your laptop/desktop. It’s very important that you take your computer ports into account before you buy a second monitor. This will save you from having to spend extra money on an additional adapter.
Start by inspecting your computer’s video ports and see what you’re working with. See if you can set up the connection without an adapter. However, you might not have a choice.
For example, if you want the second screen to be your old VGA monitor, you’ll likely need an adapter like this one in order to connect it to the HDMI port of a new laptop. Likewise, if you have an old DVI monitor, you’ll need an adapter of this kind in order to plug it into an HDMI port.
Most laptops come with multiple video ports. Let’s take the popular Dell Latitude E6230. It contains one 19-pin HDMI connector and one VGA connector. Looking at these options, one monitor can be hooked up to the HDMI port and the other one to the VGA port.
Desktops, on the other hand, have a built-in VGA on the motherboard and multiple HDMI and DVI ports on the dedicated graphics card. This is why desktops are ideal for dual monitor setups.
In case you only have one port (VGA, HDMI, or DVI), you will need a dual adapter. If the port is VGA, you’ll need a Monitor VGA dual splitter. If your port is DVI and your two monitors are both VGA, you’ll need a DVI-I Analog to 2x VGA Video Splitter Cable. But keep in mind that this is not ideal since it will only duplicate the display – won’t work with the Extend mode.
Note: Usually, the motherboards built-in VGA ports are not powerful enough to support two monitors so you can expect some blurred pixels.
Once you have both your monitors, made sure that your ports check out, and brought the required adapters (if required), it’s time to configure it all under Windows.
Connecting the Equipment
If you were prepared for a lengthy tutorial, you can rest easy. Windows makes it extremely easy to connect multiple monitors. And for the most part, this is true for all the recent Windows versions.
All you have to do is plug in the second monitor into the appropriate port (via an adapter if required) and Windows should automatically extend your desktop onto it. That’s it.
However, depending on your settings, Windows might mirror your second display instead, showing the same thing on both screens. In this case, you’ll need to make additional adjustments.
Configuring The Settings
Windows 8 and Windows 10:
If you’re seeing a mirrored display on both monitors, you’ll want to press Windows key + P and choose the Extend option. This will make up for an entire monitor worth of additional screen space.
If you want to take the long route, you can also right-click anywhere on your desktop and select Display Settings. From there, click the Identify (Detect) button, then drag & drop both displays until you position them however you want.
Note: Keep in mind that number 1 is always the primary display.
Windows 7:
The Windows key + P shortcut can also be used on Windows 7. If your display is mirrored by default, use the shortcut to select the Extend mode.
Or you can do it by right-clicking on the desktop and choosing Screen resolution. Once there, click the Identify button if the second monitor doesn’t already appear and then position them however you want.
Once the monitors are connected, you will need to adjust the settings – this can be easily done from the Display Settings on your computer (Windows Vista / 7 and 8) by right-clicking your desktop and selecting Personalize -> Display -> Change Display Settings
Note: The Extend mode will not work if the monitors are getting the same signal. You’ll need signals coming out from two ports if you wish to get the extended feature.
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7 Best Ways To Connect Two Monitors To A Laptop
Laptops are ideal for working on the road, but their small screens can sometimes be a burden. Connecting a double, third, or even fourth screen can provide you with some breathing room and help you handle more in control of the task. Follow this guide to learn How to connect two monitors to a laptop.
Having several Monitors essentially eliminates switching between apps on a single screen. You can use your laptop’s native screen to display your email client while using a larger external monitor to run Photoshop. Perhaps you use one monitor for Slack and another for surfing. Keep reading to get to know more about “How to Connect Two Monitors To A Laptop”
Contents show
Prerequisite To Connect Two Monitors To A Laptop
1. Check The Graphics Card
You’ll need to double-check that your graphics card supports multiple displays before going to connect two monitors to Laptop. Typically, every graphics card has at least two outputs.
Still, you’ll need to check the graphics card attributes on the manufacturer’s website, locate your graphics card, and read the specifications to determine if it allows connecting two external displays.
- If you have an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, you can find out if it supports multiple displays by going to the official website.
- Click on your graphics card, and check the specifications.
- If it doesn’t support multiple monitors, you’ll probably need to buy and install a new graphics card before continuing.
2. Check Available Ports On Laptop
You may need to double-check the ports on your laptop. In general, a computer device or laptop should have at least one of the following given ports:
- Display Port can provide an interface with high-definition audio content protection as an option.
- High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
- Digital Video Interface (DVI).
- Video Graphics Array (VGA).
Your laptop’s ports might be found on the back or sides. In addition to the ports on the laptop, the monitors should have equivalent ports. Connecting them in this manner will save you time and money.
You’ll have to acquire one if you don’t have an extra adaptor, such as a DVI to HDMI adapter to Connect Two Monitors To A Laptop.
Don’t give up if the ports on your laptop don’t match the connections on your display cables or there aren’t enough ports. To continue, you can use one of the ways listed below:
- Use a pluggable DisplayPort and HDMI Dual Desktop Monitor adapter to connect displays to your laptop.
- It’s compatible with USB 3.0 systems and includes dual DisplayPort and HDMI connectors for connecting to two 4K monitors.
- With this adapter, you can easily connect two displays to your laptop.
- To include two HDMI ports, use a switch splitter, such as a Display splitter. This method works if your laptop only has one HDMI port, but you require two.
- A docking station can be used in a variety of situations.
Methods to Connect Two Monitors To A Laptop? (Monitor Setup)
While your laptop is turned on, “connect two monitors to a laptop.” When a new desktop monitor is plugged in, Windows will recognize it.
- Connect the first external monitor’s cord to the suitable video port on the laptop.
- Connect the first monitor’s VGA connection to the VGA port on my laptop.
- Connect the second monitor’s cord to the laptop’s other correct port. Connect the second monitor’s HDMI wire to the HDMI port on my laptop.
- Right-click a space on your laptop’s desktop:
- Click the “Display settings” if you’re running Windows 10.
- Click Screen resolution if you’re running Windows 8/7.
- In display mode, you’ll see three monitors labeled 1, 2, and 3. The monitor on your laptop displays 1, and the external monitors display 2 and 3.
- Select Extend desktop to this monitor in Multiple displays and click Apply after clicking display 2.
- Select Extend desktop to this display on Multiple monitors and click Apply after clicking display 3.
- To use the three monitors on your laptop, click OK to complete the settings.
- If the display is not available, scroll down and select the “Detect option.”
- Each display (1, 2, or 3) can be rearranged by clicking and dragging. You can also customize the size, resolution, and orientation of the items to suit your needs.
1. Use a laptop Screen With One External Monitor
You can use a single desktop monitor in addition to the one built into your laptop if you only need two monitors together. It is not precisely like connecting the laptop to two monitors.
I’m sure some people merely want a dual-monitor configuration and didn’t realize it could be done this way.
- Simply connect the external monitor to the laptop’s display port and keep the laptop’s screen open.
- Now, Check that You can “connect two monitors to a laptop.”
2. Use A Thunderbolt Port For Second Monitor
A Thunderbolt 3 port can be found on some recent computers. On the other hand, most new computers contain at least one USB-C connector. An identical connector is used in both technologies.
You can connect the first Thunderbolt 3 display to the computer’s Thunderbolt 3 port and the second to the first monitor in the chain if you have two Thunderbolt 3 displays.
- Thunderbolt 3 displays are hard to come by and can be rather costly.
- If you already own a Thunderbolt 3 screen, buying a second one for a configuration like this isn’t too expensive.
- The overall cost will be too high for most individuals to justify.
- Apple M1 MacBooks support only one external desktop monitor.
- Apple has pledged to address this in a future macOS release. Still, for now, third-party solutions involving particular dongles and display drivers are the only way to get around it.
- Now, Check that You can “connect two monitors to a laptop.”
3. Connect A Monitor To Available Output
There’s a strong possibility your laptop has multiple display output options. The PC on which this is being written has an HDMI port and a Mini-DisplayPort output.
The first is connected to a dedicated GPU, while the second is connected to an Intel-integrated GPU. You can attach a monitor to both outputs and have them both running simultaneously.
Both monitors should be used in conjunction with the internal display to create a triple-monitor arrangement.
- The GPU in question must be capable of supporting the required number of screens.
- Modern integrated CPUs typically support up to three screens. Thus two external devices and the internal screen would be covered.
- Dedicated GPUs usually support three or more GPUs.
- You should check with the laptop manufacturer via their website, manual, or customer service to see if it supports multiple monitors on each display output.
- Now, Check that You can “connect two monitors to a laptop.”
4. Use Dongles
Ultra-thin laptops have resulted in a generation of portable computers with very few ports. Only Thunderbolt 3 ports are available on the current Apple MacBooks, with as few as two ports available on the entry-level versions.
- You’ll need a dongle to monitor outputs on these PCs.
- If you desire to connect more than one external monitor, you’ll need a dongle with multiple display outputs or two dongles connected into its own Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C port.
- Keep in mind that Apple MacBooks have a one-monitor limit for external monitors for now.
- It isn’t always the case with Intel-based Macs and Windows computers.
- Now, Check that You can “connect two monitors to a laptop.”
5. Use A USB Display Port
A USB display connection is available on several monitors, and there are also many portable USB displays on the market today. This effectively converts your USB ports into additional display outputs, allowing you to easily connect a dual external display if your laptop only has one.
- Remember that USB displays may have more lag, lower refresh rates, and poorer picture quality than other displays.
- This is dependent on the speed of your computer and the amount of USB bandwidth available.
- They’re still great for Slack, email, and websites. Just not high-definition video or games.
- Now, Check that You can “connect two monitors to a laptop.”
6. Use A Multihead Splitter
Several products on the market can “split” a single monitor output into numerous ones. Some present themselves to the computer as a single monitor and can span an image across many screens.
Because your operating system believes there is only one screen, you won’t be able to use the dual monitor functionality of your operating system with these adapters. Applications that take up the entire screen are spread across all external screens connected to the splitter.
- Other splitters are more intelligent than this one, but it depends on the underlying display technology. A DisplayPort hub with three ports will appear as numerous independent screens on a PC.
- This is made feasible by the Multi-Stream Transport feature of DisplayPort 1.2. (MST).
- You can connect multiple DisplayPort monitors with MST, just as Thunderbolt 3 monitors.
- Internally, the hub handles the chaining, although the connection topology is similar to when the monitors are chained together.
- Now, Check that You can “connect two monitors to a laptop.”
If the laptop has a DisplayPort output that supports MST, you can buy one of these splitters to address your external display problem for less money and a more comprehensive range of displays than Thunderbolt 3.
7. Use A Docking Station
While most users will be satisfied with standards like USB, Thunderbolt, and DisplayPort, custom solutions are also available. Many laptops have special connectors that allow you to use a docking station as a native solution.
- Docking connectors frequently directly connect to the laptop’s motherboard’s high-speed buses, assuring a premium experience and compatibility.
- The majority of docking stations include several display outputs.
- Dell E-Port products make it simple to connect two external displays to compatible laptops, using multiple DVI and DisplayPort connections.
- Whether this option is available is entirely dependent on the laptop model.
- Now, Check that You can “connect two monitors to a laptop.”
Conclusion
Having numerous monitors can help us be more productive and have a better experience, especially when using a laptop. Connecting external screens to a Windows laptop should be straightforward. Then, to “connect two monitors to a laptop,” use all of the options listed above.
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