How To Use Your Laptop As A Monitor [Ultmiate Solution for Beginners]

Whether you want to use your laptop screen as your sole monitor or you want to use it to extend a display, you can do plenty with it.

However, the process might not be as easy as you would assume. After all, the majority of laptops on the market only have an output port for displaying what is on the screen to an external device.

Therefore, simply grabbing an HDMI, DVI, or Display Port cable and running it from another PC to your laptop isn’t going to work to use your laptop as a monitor.

That being said, there are certain ways you can get it to work and not all of them are going to be overly complicated. Below, we will be going over different ways you can go about doing it.

How To Use Laptop As Monitor

You may use your laptop to enlarge the display on a desktop or to function as a second monitor. It’s a bit more difficult procedure because your laptop only displays its own display and isn’t meant to output the display of another device, such as your TV. 

So, in order to make your laptop’s display to act as a monitor for another device, you’ll need to either utilise Windows’ built-in functionality or third-party software. And, in this post, we’ll teach you how to set up your laptop as either a secondary or primary display for your PC.

How to Extend the Display on Your Laptop

To begin, you’ll need to have the correct display cable for your laptop in order to connect it to a monitor. Choose the correct cable for your needs and plug it into your display. Your laptop may utilise an HDMI cable, DisplayPort, mini-DisplayPort, or have a docking station, so find the proper cable for your needs and plug it into your display.

Open ‘Settings > Settings > Display’ after that. To easily switch between display modes, right-click on your desktop and select ‘Display Settings’, or use the shortcut ‘Windows key + P.’You might see two or more numbered screens under the “Select and rearrange displays” section if your laptop has properly linked to your monitor. If this is not the case, click ‘Detect’ to compel Windows to look for a different display.

If you’re not sure which screen is which, click ‘Identify,’ and a number will appear to indicate which one is which. You may also rearrange your displays to your liking; just remember to click “Apply” when you’re finished.Scroll down to the dropdown menu labelled “Multiple displays” and choose it. You may pick from a range of alternatives from here, but the one we’re interested in is ‘Extend these displays.’ Select it to extend your display over multiple screens, then select which screen you want to be your primary display.

That’s all there is to it! On your Windows 10 laptop, you may now work across several screens.

How To Use macOS To Extend The Display Of Your Laptop

Whether you want to connect another display to your MacBook, first check the ports on your computer to see if you need an adaptor. Connect the cable to your monitor and continue on to the following step once you’ve chosen the proper one for the job.

Select ‘System Preferences > Displays’ from the Apple menu, then the ‘Arrangement’ option. Make sure the Mirror Displays box is not checked, then drag your displays to the appropriate place. To make a different screen the primary display, simply move the menu bar to the desired screen.

We’ll presume you wish to utilize your laptop as a monitor to display your Windows 10 desktop in this situation.

Select ‘Settings > System > Projecting to this PC’ from the drop-down menu. Change the first drop-down selection to ‘Available everywhere on secure networks’ and adjust the other parameters as needed. Return to your desktop PC and select the ‘Action Center’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the taskbar once more.Select the laptop you want to use by clicking on ‘Connect’ and selecting it. You must then accept the connection request on the laptop and, if you choose that option, key in a pin.After that, pick ‘Desktop Settings’ from the right-click menu on your desktop. Make sure you choose ‘Extend desktop to this monitor’ from the display options. After that, you may rearrange your desktop and laptop displays as you see fit.

Using Your Laptop to Remotely Connect to Your Desktop

Another method is to operate another computer using your laptop’s display (along with its keyboard, mouse, and trackpad). Obviously, this isn’t the same as utilising your laptop as a display; instead, you’ll be utilising your laptop to take entire control of your primary computer. This is also the way to go if you want to utilise your more transportable laptop to acquire access to your primary desktop system.Connecting to your desktop remotely from your laptop is a straightforward technique that can be achieved using a variety of third-party tools.

How to Control Your Desktop Computer from Your Laptop Remotely

  • Download TeamViewer for your laptop and desktop from teamviewer.us.
  • Install TeamViewer on both of your computers after you’ve downloaded it.
  • Get your desktop computer’s TeamViewer ID.
  • On your laptop, launch TeamViewer.
  • Fill in the Partner ID area on your laptop with the ID of your desktop machine and click Connect.
  • It will prompt you for your desktop password, which you should enter and then press Log On.
  • From your laptop, you’ll be able to operate your desktop.

What Are My Options For Using A Second Monitor?

When buying a laptop, few people contemplate using it as a second display, but it’s great to know you have the option. Laptops that are no longer performing at their best can be utilised as a display if the screen and operating system are still functional. It is no longer required to store or discard your sluggish laptop on a shelf where it will accumulate dust.

By attaching a second monitor, you may optimise your workflow in a variety of ways. The following are the most common applications:

  • The ability to compare two papers or projects side by side.
  • One display is used for research while the other is used for writing.
  • Maintaining a separate display for conversation or messaging apps such as Slack.
  • On a single display, set up alerts and real-time notifications.
  • On one screen, you’re watching the big game while working on the other.
  • While playing the game, you may stream your favourite YouTube player.

You may have profited from having a second (or even third) display each time you had to switch between two apps, software tools, or browser windows. Once you start using one, you’ll think of new ways to utilise it that haven’t been stated before.

Remember that you’ll be utilizing your laptop’s screen as a monitor, so every component on your laptop doesn’t have to be in perfect working condition to serve as an additional monitor. A laptop with a functional display is a fantastic addition for the busy gamer or business professional, even if you don’t have access to all of the functions.

Conclusion

These straightforward actions need to obtain you functioning better in a snap if you have actually ever before questioned just how to make use of a laptop computer as a display. Providing a laptop computer, also one that isn’t in ideal functioning order, a fresh lease on life as a display is likewise an excellent technique to maintain a gizmo out of the waste. It makes good sense to consist of today’s laptop computers’ state-of-the-art displays right into your process, considering that much of them offer better, bigger display dimensions, as well as bolder visuals.

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