HomeHardwareHow to Set Up Dual Monitors

How to Set Up Dual Monitors

Part 1 of 4:

Checking Second Monitor Support

  1. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 1
    Know that most laptops can support dual monitors. If you have a laptop which has at least one video output slot (e.g., an HDMI port or a VGA port), you can usually use an external monitor in conjunction with the video port.
    1. While a few Windows laptops might not support dual monitors, all Apple MacBook computers do—if you have a Mac laptop, feel free to skip ahead to connecting your second monitor.[1]
  2. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 2
    Understand that not all desktop computers support dual monitors. Depending on your computer's graphics card and motherboard, you may not be able to run a second monitor at the same time as your first.[2]
    1. Again, if you're using an Apple iMac desktop unit, you can use dual monitors.
  3. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 3
    Check your computer's video output ports. Most computers have at least two ports for video output, meaning that you'll usually be able to connect a second monitor; however, if the two (or more) ports aren't level with each other, they're most likely not part of the same graphics card and thus not able to be used for dual monitors.[3]
    1. For example, if you see two horizontal HDMI ports next to (or on top of) each other, your computer's graphics card probably supports dual monitors. This goes for different outputs as well (e.g., a VGA output next to an HDMI output).
    2. Desktop Windows computers normally have these ports on the back of the computer case.
    3. If you only see one video output on a desktop computer, your computer's graphics card only supports one monitor at a time. Laptops which have one video output port can usually support multiple monitors.
  4. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 4
    Determine whether your motherboard supports dual monitors. Virtually all modern computers' motherboards support multiple monitors, but older machines may not. You can check your motherboard for dual monitor support by doing the following:
    1. Find your motherboard's name.
    2. Look up your motherboard's name in a search engine (e.g., Google).
    3. Select a search result which lists your motherboard's features.
    4. Look for a "Multi-Display", "Multi-Monitor", or "Dual Display" feature.
Part 2 of 4:

Connecting the Second Monitor

  1. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 5
    Determine your computer's video connection type. On the back of your computer's CPU box (or monitor if you're using an iMac), you should see several ports, one of which is currently being used for your main monitor. Common connection ports include the following:
    1. DVI — A wide piece of plastic with numerous small square holes in it.
    2. VGA — A trapezoid-shaped piece of colored plastic with several pinholes in it.
    3. HDMI — A thin, flat, hexagonal port. These are on most modern computers and TVs.
    4. DisplayPort — Similar to HDMI, but has a flat edge on one side instead of being symmetrical.
    5. Thunderbolt — Found on the backs of most iMac monitors, the Thunderbolt connection has a lightning bolt icon beneath it. You can connect an adapter for any of the above video connections to a Thunderbolt port (e.g., VGA to Thunderbolt).[4]
  2. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 6
    Check the second monitor's connection type. Your second monitor should have at least one of the previously mentioned connection types. You don't have to use the same connection that you use for your first monitor on your second monitor.
    1. For example, you can attach the first monitor using a DisplayPort cable and attach the second monitor using HDMI.
    2. In some cases, you might be able to set up a second monitor wirelessly. For example, to use an iPad as a second monitor, you can connect it to some computers wirelessly using an app called Air Display.
  3. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 7
    Buy any cables or adapters that you don't have. If you don't have the proper cable or adapter that you need to attach your second monitor to the computer, you can find it online or in a tech department store.
    1. Especially if you're connecting a second monitor to an iMac, you'll need either a Thunderbolt cable or a port-to-Thunderbolt adapter for the back of the monitor.
  4. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 8
    Connect the second monitor to the computer. Plug one end of the second monitor's video cable into the back of the computer, then plug the other end into the second monitor.
  5. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 9
    Connect the second monitor to a power source. Plug your monitor's power cable into an electrical outlet, such as a wall socket or a surge protector.
  6. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 10
    Turn on the second monitor. Press the "Power"
    How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 11
    button on the second monitor to make sure that it is turned on and ready to receive the signal from your computer's main monitor. You can now proceed with setting the display preferences for your monitor on Windows or on Mac.
    EXPERT TIP
    How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 12

    Chiara Corsaro

    General Manager of macVolks, Inc.
    Chiara Corsaro is the General Manager and Apple Certified Mac & iOS Technician for macVolks, Inc., an Apple Authorized Service Provider located in the San Francisco Bay Area. macVolks, Inc. was founded in 1990, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating, and is part of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).
    How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 13
    Chiara Corsaro
    General Manager of macVolks, Inc.

    In most cases, this is all you'll need to do. Typically, you just have to plug in your second monitor and turn it on, and your dual screen will automatically show up. However, if you want to make any adjustments, you'll just go into your 'System Preference' under 'Display Settings' to change how it's set up.

Part 3 of 4:

Setting Display Preferences on Windows

  1. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 14
    Open Start
    How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 15
    . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 16
    Open Settings
    How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 17
    . Click the gear-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start window.
  3. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 18
    Click System. It's a computer monitor-shaped icon in the Settings window.
  4. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 19
    Click the Display tab. You'll find this in the upper-left side of the window.[5]
  5. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 20
    Scroll down to the "Multiple displays" section. It's at the bottom of the page.
  6. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 21
    Click the "Multiple displays" drop-down box. You'll find this box just below the "Multiple displays" heading. A drop-down menu will appear.
  7. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 22
    Select a display option. In the drop-down menu, click one of the following options depending on your preferences:[6]
    1. Extend these displays (recommended) — Uses the second monitor as an extension of your first monitor.
    2. Duplicate these displays — Displays the first monitor's contents on the second monitor.
    3. Show only on 1 — Shows content only on the first monitor.
    4. Show only on 2 — Shows content only on the second monitor.
  8. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 23
    Click Apply. It's below the drop-down box.
  9. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 24
    Click Keep settings when prompted. Doing so will apply your display settings. If you chose to extend your desktop, you'll now see your desktop split between the first monitor and the second monitor.
Part 4 of 4:

Setting Display Preferences on Mac

  1. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 25
    Open the Apple menu
    How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 26
    . Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  2. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 27
    Click System Preferences…. It's near the top of the Apple drop-down menu.
  3. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 28
    Click Displays. You'll find this computer monitor-shaped icon in the upper-left side of the System Preferences window.
  4. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 29
    Click the Arrangement tab. It's at the top of the page.
  5. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 30
    Uncheck the "Mirror Displays" box. If you want to extend your desktop using the second monitor, make sure that the "Mirror Displays" checkbox is unchecked.
    1. If you want to display the same content on both monitors, you can leave the "Mirror Displays" box checked.
  6. How to Set Up Dual Monitors Picture 31
    Change your default display. If you want to use the second monitor as your main display, you can click and drag the white rectangle at the top of one of the blue displays onto the second display.[7]
5 ★ | 1 Vote
monitorseconddisplaycomputer

You should read it

May be interested

  • How to Use the Huawei Broadband Stick to Send and Receive Text MessagesPhoto of How to Use the Huawei Broadband Stick to Send and Receive Text Messages
    a huawei broadband stick is normally used to connect to wi-fi networks such as gsm, wcdma, and the like. it's basically a usb stick that you plug into your computer's usb port for it to connect to the internet. you should have a wi-fi...
  • How to Buy Speaker CablesPhoto of How to Buy Speaker Cables
    you have an incredible speaker system, but now you need to buy speaker cables to finish your audio setup. but, as with many electronic devices, buying the cheapest cable on the market isn't always the best option. you can check your...
  • How to Test Fiber Optic CablesPhoto of How to Test Fiber Optic Cables
    a fiber optic cable refers to any cord that uses light to carry signals from one source to another. they are faster than traditional wires and are commonly used to hook up high-speed internet servers, complete important mechanical tasks,...
  • How to Make a 1 Ohm to 100 Megaohm Resistance Decade BoxPhoto of How to Make a 1 Ohm to 100 Megaohm Resistance Decade Box
    a variable resistor with a built in readout is very useful for electronics hobbyists. a method to construct a 1 ohm to 100 mega ohm resistance substitution box is provided here.. be sure that you have all of the things needed.
  • How to Rough Wire Homes More EfficientlyPhoto of How to Rough Wire Homes More Efficiently
    if you do electrical work and are still looking for faster/easier ways to wire a home, you've come to the right place. many residential wiremen are paid according to what and when they finish, too. many say in the midst of their careers as...
  • How to Make an RJ‐45 CablePhoto of How to Make an RJ‐45 Cable
    the rj-45 connector is most commonly known for its use in ethernet networking. it's similar to a telephone jack, but it is wider. most connectors are described through their prongs that attach to port; this is what differentiates the...

Hardware