If you’re an avid laptop user, you may find yourself wishing that your screen was just a little bit bigger. Working on the go can be difficult if you can’t see everything in front of you and monitor sizes are typically limited by how large of an object you can carry around with you wherever you go. Luckily, there are several ways to connect your laptop to a larger monitor, whether it’s at home or on the road, and they aren’t as complicated as they might seem!
Step 1: Choose the Right Cable
Your first step will be selecting the right cable. There are 3 different types of cables that can connect your laptop to your monitor: DVI, VGA, and HDMI. Let’s discuss the differences between these so you know which one is best for you.
The first thing you need to know is that there are different types of video connection, namely DVI, VGA and HDMI. Each type has its own benefits and limitations so you’ll want to be sure that you choose correctly. The three main advantages of HDMI are its higher image quality, support for 3D content, and ability to transmit audio data in addition to video data. If you have an HDMI-ready TV or monitor then using an HDMI cable might be more convenient for you as well. This is especially true if your laptop doesn’t have an Ethernet port because you can use your laptop’s built-in Wi-Fi with your TV if it has one as well.
Step 2: Choose the Right Connection Type
Different connection types allow you to transmit signals in different ways. You’ll want to make sure you know what your needs are and choose the type of connection that’s right for them. The most common types of connections are HDMI, VGA, and DVI. They all transmit video signals differently, with HDMI being the most recent, and therefore the best option available. HDMI is able to handle 1080p resolution with very few defects in image quality, while VGA can only support up to 720p at best. HDMI also supports up to 3D content while VGA cannot do so because it doesn’t have enough bandwidth available.
Most laptops don’t come with HDMI ports, but they do usually have at least one VGA port. You can get an adapter that will let you use your VGA port as an HDMI port, but you should check with your computer manufacturer first because it might void your warranty if you damage any of their components. If your laptop doesn’t have either of these options, and you’re willing to spend some money on new hardware, then USB-C is emerging as a great option for connecting peripherals and displays alike. This is available in newer laptops and Macs so it’s worth checking if you own one of those computers already.
Step 3: Start Connecting
- Make sure the monitor is on and that you’re in an appropriate area. For example, your laptop should be near the monitor so that the HDMI cable is long enough.
- Turn off your laptop screen (if you’re connecting your laptop with an HDMI cable). If you’re using a VGA connection, make sure that there’s no power to the monitor (if you turn off the monitor, there will be no signal). 3. Turn on your laptop screen and click Detect Displays on your toolbar if it’s turned off already.
- Turn on your monitor and try out your laptop’s new display! You should now see your computer screen on an external display. If you don’t, make sure that there’s power to both devices, turn off and then restart both devices, or check that you’re using a compatible monitor cable. If you still can’t get it working properly, try rebooting your computer and starting over again.