Read this article to learn how to connect a notebook (Windows or Mac) to an external monitor. As the vast majority of notebooks will determine the best way to connect after connecting them to a monitor, this process ends up consisting of selecting the best type of cable to make the “bridge” between them.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Connecting the Monitor
Step 1. Determine the video output options offered by your computer
Notebooks should have only one monitor output, on the back or side. There are several types available, such as
- Windows:
- HDMI: Common on Windows computers. It is long at the top and short at the bottom.
- DisplayPort: Similar connection to HDMI, but one of the corners of the output is creased, while the other forms a 90° angle.
- VGA or DVI: VGA inputs are colored and have lots of “small holes”, while DVI are black and also with small holes, but with a space on one side. They are only present on older computers.
- Mac:
- Thunderbolt 3 (also known as “USB-C”): Oval entry present on most current MacBooks.
- HDMI: It is long at the top and short at the bottom. It can be found on some types of MacBooks.
- Mini DisplayPort: A six-sided port that was part of Macs built from 2008 to 2016.
Step 2. Check the monitor input
The simplest will have only one, while the monitors that also function as TV will have several; HDMI and DisplayPort are the most common.
If the monitor is relatively old, you might find a VGA or DVI input on the back
Step 3. Try connecting the computer to the monitor
If both have a common input and output (usually HDMI), just use identical cables to connect to each other.
Step 4. Purchase a cable adapter when needed
Sometimes the monitor will have a different connection type than the notebook, requiring the user to purchase an adapter for the two to be the same. Some of the most frequent examples are:
- HDMI to DisplayPort.
- DisplayPort (or Mini DisplayPort) for HDMI.
- Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort.
- USB-C to HDMI (or DisplayPort).
- Another option is to purchase a VGA to HDMI or DVI to HDMI adapter if needed. They only serve as a bridge between the cables, so in the case of VGA to HDMI you will need to have a VGA to VGA and an HDMI to HDMI cable.
Step 5. Connect the cables and turn on the monitor
Don't forget to plug it in too, and press the Power button.
Step 6. Connect the notebook to the monitor
Insert one end of the cable into the computer and the other into the monitor.
Some adapters need to be plugged into a power source to function
Step 7. Wait for the notebook screen to appear on the monitor
When this happens (usually the Desktop and its contents will be displayed), you will be able to configure your computer's display options.
Part 2 of 3: Adjusting Display Options in Windows
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu by clicking on the Windows logo
in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Access the "Settings" menu by selecting a gear icon
, at the end and to the left of “Start”.
Step 3. Click System, represented by a computer icon
Step 4. On the left side there is a list of sections; select Video
Step 5. Scroll down the screen until you find the “Multiple Monitors” section near the bottom of the page
Step 6. Click on the “Multiple Monitors” drop-down menu to see other options
Step 7. Define a configuration for the monitors by clicking on one of them:
- Duplicate these videos: the notebook screen will be replicated exactly on the monitor.
- Extend these videos: the monitor will be used as an extension of the monitor's Desktop. By choosing this option, you can move the mouse pointer to the far right of the screen (on your computer), causing it to appear on your monitor's Desktop.
- Show only in 1: the monitor is off and only the computer screen will be active.
- Show only in 2: only the monitor will display the contents of the notebook, which will have its screen turned off.
Part 3 of 3: Adjusting Display Options on Mac
Step 1. Open the Apple menu by clicking on the “Apple” logo
in the upper left corner of the screen.
A dropdown menu will appear.
Step 2. Click System Preferences…, one of the first options in the drop-down menu
A new window will be open.
Step 3. In the middle of the screen, look for a monitor icon
It's the Monitors section; select it.
Step 4. Enter the Monitors tab in the upper left corner of the screen
Step 5. Change the resolution of the monitor
First, click on “Resized” and then set the resolution.
There is no way to use a resolution higher than the monitor (wanting 4K when the maximum is 1080p, for example)
Step 6. Change the screen resizing
Click and drag the slider at the bottom of the page; taking it to the left will enlarge the screen display on the monitor, while to the right it will “zoom”.
That way you can “snap” your Mac's screen to your monitor if it gets too small or too big
Step 7. Extend your Mac's screen to enlarge your computer's Desktop
Click on the “Organization” tab at the top of the window and uncheck “Mirror Monitors” under the option used to arrange screens.
There is also how to adjust the position of the menu bar; just click and drag, left or right, the white rectangle at the top of the screen
Tips
- DisplayPort, HDMI and USB-C inputs can transfer audio, meaning the monitor speakers will be able to transmit the notebook's audio output when using any of these connections.
- Try updating your computer's drivers to improve monitor detection and audio and video quality.