This wikiHow teaches you how to connect a Windows or Mac laptop computer to an external monitor. Since most modern laptops are able to determine the best connection method once connected to the monitor, much of this process has to do with choosing the right cable to bridge the connection between the laptop and the monitor.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Connecting the Laptop to the Monitor
Step 1. Specify the laptop's video output options
Most laptops have one display connection on the back of the device, while others have a connection or port on the side. There are several types of ports or connections your laptop may have:
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Windows:
- HDMI – This six-sided tapered port is commonly found on most Windows laptops.
- DisplayPort – This port is similar to HDMI, but one end sticks in, while the other ends at a right angle.
- VGA or DVI – VGA ports have color and holes, while DVI ports are generally black with holes and slits on one side. These ports are only owned by older models of computers.
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Mac:
- Thunderbolt 3 (also known as " USB-C ”) – This oval port is on the side of most modern MacBook models.
- HDMI – This six-sided tapered port is found on some MacBook models.
- Mini DisplayPort – This six-sided port is found on Mac laptops manufactured between 2008 and 2016.
Step 2. Specify the monitor's video input
Simple computer monitors usually have only one available input or port, while television monitors have multiple inputs. You'll generally find an HDMI or DisplayPort port on the back of most monitors.
If the monitor you are using is an older one, you may find a VGA or DVI port on the back
Step 3. Try adjusting the computer connection to the monitor
If your laptop and monitor share at least one port (most likely HDMI), you can use a cable with an identical connector to connect the laptop to the monitor.
Step 4. Purchase an adapter cable if necessary
If the monitor requires a different connection type than the laptop, you will need an adapter cable in the laptop-to-monitor connection format. Some commonly used adapter cables include:
- HDMI-to-DisplayPort
- DisplayPort (or Mini DisplayPort)-to-HDMI
- Mini DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort
- USB-C-to-HDMI (or DisplayPort)
- You can also purchase a VGA-to-HDMI or DVI-to-HDMI adapter if necessary. The adapter only serves to bridge two cables so for a VGA-to-HDMI adapter, you still need a VGA-to-VGA cable and an HDMI-to-HDMI cable.
Step 5. Connect the monitor to a power source and turn it on
Connect the monitor to a power source (eg a wall outlet), then press the power button or “ Power ”
Step 6. Connect the laptop to the monitor
Plug one end of the cable into the laptop, and connect the other end of the cable to the monitor.
If you need to purchase an adapter (not an adapter cable), you will also need to connect the adapter's power cable to a power source
Step 7. Wait for the laptop screen to appear on the monitor
Once the laptop desktop and its icon (or some variation thereof) are displayed on the screen, you can adjust the laptop's display settings.
Part 2 of 3: Adjusting Display Settings on a Windows Computer
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen. After that, the menu " Start" will be shown.
Step 2. Open “Settings”
Click the gear icon in the lower-left corner of the menu.
Step 3. Click System
This computer icon is in the “Settings” window.
Step 4. Click the Display tab
This tab is on the left side of the “Display” window.
Step 5. Scroll to the “Multiple displays” segment
This segment is at the bottom of the page.
Step 6. Click the “Multiple displays” drop-down box
After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 7. Select a display option
Click one of the following options from the drop-down menu:
- ” Duplicate these displays ” – This option displays an identical replica of the laptop screen content on the monitor.
- ” Extend these displays ” – This option uses the monitor as an extension of the desktop space. With this option, the cursor will disappear from the laptop screen when you move it to the far right of the screen, then it will be displayed on the monitor.
- ” Show only on 1 ” – This option only shows screen content on the laptop. With this option, the monitor screen will be turned off (not in use).
- ” Show only on 2 ” – This option only displays the screen content on the monitor. With this option, the laptop screen will be turned off.
Part 3 of 3: Adjusting Display Settings on Mac Computers
Step 1. Open the “Apple” menu
Click the Apple logo that appears in the upper-left corner of the screen. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 2. Click System Preferences…
It's at the top of the drop-down menu. Once clicked, the “System Preferences” window will be opened.
Step 3. Click Displays
It's a monitor icon in the middle of the “System Preferences” window.
Step 4. Click the Displays tab
It's in the top-left corner of the window.
Step 5. Change the monitor resolution
Check the " Scaled " box, then click the desired resolution.
You cannot select a resolution higher than the monitor's default resolution (eg 4K)
Step 6. Change the screen scaling
Click and drag the " Underscan " slider at the bottom of the page to the left to display more of the laptop screen's content on the monitor, or to the right to enlarge it.
With this option, you can adjust the appearance of the laptop screen on the monitor if the displayed image is too large or small
Step 7. Expand the laptop screen if necessary
If you want to use the monitor as an extension of the laptop screen (eg as the space to the right of the laptop screen), click the tab “ Arrangement ” at the top of the window and uncheck the “Mirror Displays” box at the bottom of the display setup window.
You can also adjust the position of the menu bar by clicking and dragging the white rectangle at the top of the screen layout window to the left or right
Tips
- DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C connections can transmit audio. This means that the monitor's speakers can produce laptop audio output if you use one of these connections.
- You can update your computer's drivers to improve device detection and connected display quality.
