Dual monitors for laptops: Best Portable Monitors 2023 – Forbes Vetted

Miscellaneous

How to connect dual monitors for a laptop

Whether in the office, home office, or for gaming – two screens are better than one. However, setting up dual monitors depends somewhat on available connections and cables. Read on to find out how to connect a second screen to a laptop or PC.

Contents

  1. Advantages of dual monitors for a laptop
  2. Requirements: a suitable connection
    1. HDMI
    2. USB-C
    3. DisplayPort
    4. DVI/VGA
  3. Connect two monitors to a laptop when only one port is available
  4. Use a second screen as a main or secondary screen
  5. Possible issues with two or more monitors

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Advantages of dual monitors for a laptop

When splitting your Windows screen no longer suffices, you’ll need an additional monitor. Added screen space is easier on the eyes and simplifies working with several applications simultaneously. Gamers can enjoy high-resolution graphics by installing an additional monitor.

Requirements: a suitable connection

The majority of modern laptops and PCs support connecting a second monitor by default. All you need to consider are the ports on your end device and which monitor you’d like to connect. Before you head out to purchase one, be sure to check the type and number of ports on the laptop or PC.

Additional monitors can be connected using the following types of connectors:

HDMI

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is one of the most common connection types of modern monitors and many TV users will already be familiar with it. The connection type is compact and transmits video and audio signals. A modern HDMI connection is suitable for 4K resolutions and a frame rate of 60 Hz. If your monitor and laptop or PC have one or two HDMI ports, you just need a single HDMI cable. If you want to connect two monitors but only have one HDMI port, use an HDMI splitter. Be sure that the splitter has the same refresh rate as the HDMI cable.

USB-C

USB-C is a USB port format that’s often found on new, slim laptop models. The advantage of USB-C is that it can be used for charging while also supporting the transmission of audio and DisplayPort signals with Alternate Mode. DisplayPort refers to monitor interfaces for image and sound signals and high transfer rates. The USB-C downstream and DisplayPort Alternate Mode can be used to link several monitors. If you only have a few USB-C ports, use a USB-C dongle. Ideally, a USB-C dongle has at least two HDMI interfaces for monitors. Alternatively, a dongle can be paired with a HDMI splitter.

DisplayPort

DisplayPort is similar to HDMI and transmits audio and image signals at high frame rates. Thus, the connection is particularly suitable for 4K. Laptops often have a DisplayPort or miniDisplayPort and can be connected to monitors that have a DisplayPort port. For monitors without DisplayPort, a corresponding adapter is required. Thanks to multi-stream transport, multiple monitors can be connected via DisplayPort and coupled to a laptop via a splitter or adapter.

DVI/VGA

DVI and VGA are analog, older connection standards that only transmit image signals. If the monitor and end device have DVI or VGA ports, they can be connected via the corresponding DVI or VGA cable. With the appropriate DVI-HDMI or VGA-HDMI adapter, older monitors can be connected to laptops and PCs to transmit HDMI signals. Modern connection standards are preferable in any case, as they offer better resolution, refresh rates, and color values.

Connect two monitors to a laptop when only one port is available

Even if your laptop only has a single HDMI or USB-C port, you can connect dual monitors. Using a suitable HDMI splitter, a USB-C dongle, or a USB-C dongle with HDMI interface, you can easily connect two or more monitors to your laptop.

Use a second screen as a main or secondary screen

Once you connect one or more monitors to your laptop, you can set up two or more monitors in Windows and specify which monitor you wish to use as the main one. Windows usually detects display devices connected to the laptop or PC automatically and assigns numbers to them. The main monitor is designated number 1. All others are numbered in ascending order.

Proceed as follows to set the ranking of monitors and adjust the screen arrangement in Windows to the physical position of the screens.

Step 1: Right-click on a free desktop area and select “Display” settings.

Step 2: Under “Display” and “Multiple displays” you will see display devices detected by Windows, e. g. one or more additional monitors. Click “Detect” if none are visible.

In the “Display” settings menu you can view all connected display devices.

Step 3: Go to “Advanced display settings” to make changes to the arrangement and order of the connected monitors. Adjust further settings such as the screen resolution, for example.

Match the arrangement of the monitors with their physical arrangement in the system via “Advanced display settings”.

Step 4: The easiest way to change the use mode of the connected monitors is to use the shortcut [Windows] + [P]. Settings such as “Duplicate” let you mirror desktop content. With “PC screen only” or “Second screen only” you determine whether you only use one of the connected screens. Use “Extend” to create a connected desktop from connected monitors. These options can be found in the “Display” menu under “Multiple Screens”.

The quick menu for display options can be accessed with the Windows + P shortcut. Click “Extend” to use the desktop on all connected monitors.

Possible issues with two or more monitors

When connecting multiple monitors, Windows may not automatically detect older models. In this case, select “Detect” in the “Display” menu.

Another problem could be that Windows displays a second monitor as the main monitor. If you want to keep the PC or laptop as your main monitor, go to “Settings” > “System” > “Display Device” and select the “Rearrange Display Devices” option. Then click on “Identify”. You should be able to see the assigned digit on each screen. If you wish to change the order, go to “Advanced display settings”.

  • Configuration
  • Windows
  • Tutorials

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The Best Computer Monitors for Business in 2023

So much of your day-to-day work happens with your eyes. Your workspace may have a powerhouse PC with a ton of storage, an excellent keyboard and mouse, and even a comfy chair, but if your monitor isn’t the right fit for what you do, your productivity will suffer.

For a better display that lets you get more done, you want a model that offers the specific features you need, at the right size, resolution, and cost. And if you’re an IT professional tasked with buying a host of monitors for your business or for a fleet of home-based workers, basic functions and price are what matter most. You’ll also have to determine what size panel works best for each employee, which features will help enhance productivity, and what kind of warranty you need.

In this guide, we’ll show you what to look for when shopping for a desktop monitor for work, whether these days that’s in a batch for an office or as single panels for remote-working folks. We’ll start below with our top picks among office-appropriate monitors we’ve tested. Read on for our labs-tested favorites, followed by the buying basics you should know when shopping for one. Also note: At the very end of this article is a detailed specifications breakout, in a handy chart format, of our top choices.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

HP 24mh 23.8-Inch Display

Best Overall Value Basic Monitor for Business

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

HP’s 24mh IPS-based budget monitor is surprisingly feature-rich for its price, packing three inputs, a stand with ergonomic chops, and built-in speakers. Plus, the panel delivers a high contrast ratio and stellar sRGB color coverage for the money.

PROS

  • Excellent sRGB color coverage
  • High contrast ratio for an IPS monitor
  • DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA connectors
  • Stand supports height, pivot, and tilt adjustment
  • Built-in 2-watt speakers

CONS

  • Warranty limited to one year
  • Brightness fell short of its rating

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HP 24mh 23. 8-Inch Display Review

Dell SE2419HR

Best Monitor for Extremely Tight Budgets

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

The Dell SE2419HR is a solid 24-inch budget IPS monitor for business or home use. It lacks many convenience features found on more expensive displays, but it won’t cost you much.

PROS

  • Low price
  • IPS panel
  • Wide viewing angles
  • Good OSD menu system
  • Stylish design for an inexpensive monitor

CONS

  • Limited port selection
  • So-so color coverage
  • Tiny OSD buttons
  • Ergonomic features limited to tilt adjustment

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Dell SE2419HR Review

HP E27m G4 QHD USB-C Conferencing Monitor

Best Docking-Station Monitor (With Webcam)

4.5 Outstanding

Bottom Line:

The HP E27m G4 QHD USB-C Conferencing Monitor enhances your video calls with a high-res webcam, dual mics, and powerful stereo speakers, plus the connectivity of a USB-C docking-station display and a full range of ergonomic features. A short standard warranty and primitive OSD buttons are our only quibbles.

PROS

  • 27-inch QHD panel with good sRGB color coverage
  • 5-megapixel tilt-adjustable webcam
  • Dual 5-watt speakers and echo-canceling microphones
  • USB-C port with power delivery and DisplayPort, plus four-port USB-A hub
  • Ethernet connectivity
  • Ergonomically friendly stand

CONS

  • Small buttons inconveniently placed

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HP E27m G4 QHD USB-C Conferencing Monitor Review

Philips Brilliance 279P1

Best Docking-Station Monitor (No Webcam)

4.5 Outstanding

Bottom Line:

Chock-full of features and shining with solid brightness and color coverage, the Philips Brilliance 279P1 is an excellent entry in the growing category of docking-station monitors.

PROS

  • IPS screen with UHD resolution
  • High pixel density
  • Excellent sRGB color coverage
  • Ergonomically superior stand
  • USB hub and built-in speakers
  • Four-year warranty

CONS

  • Buttons for OSD control are less than ideal

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Philips Brilliance 279P1 Review

Dell 27 USB-C Monitor (P2720DC)

Best Monitor for Easy Dual-Display Setups

4. 0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

The Dell 27 USB-C Monitor (P2720DC) offers a broad port selection, a range of ergonomic features, and bright, realistic-looking colors. Its practically automatic daisy-chaining to a second display is a bonus.

PROS

  • Supports easy daisy-chaining of a second monitor.
  • Wide selection of ports.
  • USB-C port can charge devices including laptops.
  • Height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustment.
  • QHD (1440p) resolution.
  • Good color accuracy for business use.

CONS

  • A bit pricey.
  • Lacks built-in speakers.

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Dell 27 USB-C Monitor (P2720DC) Review

HP Z27k G3 4K USB-C Display

Best 4K Monitor (Without Calibrator) for Creative Pros

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

HP’s Z27k G3 4K USB-C Display, a feature-rich productivity monitor, covers the full sRGB color gamut, and it has an ergonomically friendly stand and a wide range of ports. It’s solid on accuracy and connectivity, too.

PROS

  • UHD (4K) resolution
  • Full-gamut sRGB coverage and accurate colors
  • USB-C port supports 100 watts of power delivery
  • Stand has full set of ergonomic features
  • Above-average contrast for an IPS monitor

CONS

  • A bit pricey

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HP Z27k G3 4K USB-C Display Review

Dell UltraSharp 27 4K PremierColor (UP2720Q)

Best 4K Monitor (With Built-In Calibrator) for Creative Pros

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

The Dell UltraSharp 27 4K PremierColor (UP2720Q) is one of the only monitors in its price range with a built-in calibration tool, which automates and simplifies the task of preserving a panel’s color accuracy.

PROS

  • Includes integrated calibration tool
  • Very good color accuracy results
  • Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • Intuitive OSD navigation
  • Height, tilt, swivel, and pivot control

CONS

  • Pricey
  • Does not include the CalMAN software it integrates with
  • Low brightness for a professional monitor
  • Tested contrast ratio considerably lower than its rating

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Dell UltraSharp 27 4K PremierColor (UP2720Q) Review

Lenovo ThinkVision M14

Best Portable Monitor

4. 0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

Thanks to its easy portability, high-quality 14-inch panel, and USB-C connectivity, Lenovo’s ThinkVision M14 is a winning choice as a portable monitor for business or personal use.

PROS

  • Compact and very lightweight.
  • Bright for a portable monitor.
  • Good color fidelity.
  • Wide range of tilt angles.
  • Includes protective sleeve.

CONS

  • USB connectivity only.
  • Limited OSD controls.

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Lenovo ThinkVision M14 Review

Dell UltraSharp 43 4K USB-C Monitor (U4323QE)

Best Large-Screen Productivity Monitor

4.5 Outstanding

Bottom Line:

The Dell UltraSharp U4323QE is the 4K productivity monitor to beat, with an enormous 43-inch display that can be divided into quadrants (each with its own input) and plenty of ports.

PROS

  • 43-inch IPS screen in UHD (4K) resolution
  • Plenty of ports, including Ethernet, DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C
  • Supports tiled windows from up to four input sources
  • Excellent sRGB color coverage
  • Mini-joystick controller

CONS

  • Stand offers only modest ergonomic adjustments
  • Most ports are tricky to access

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Dell UltraSharp 43 4K USB-C Monitor (U4323QE) Review

ViewSonic TD2455

Best Monitor for Desktop Touch Input

4. 0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

The ViewSonic TD2455 isn’t cheap for a 24-inch monitor, but its touch screen, remarkable tilt range, and presentation-friendly features (such as support for daisy-chaining monitors, or connecting to a projector) make it well worth the price for those who need hands-on input from the desktop.

PROS

  • Touch screen supports gesture-based finger or stylus use
  • Dual DisplayPort connectors allow daisy-chaining of monitors or the addition of a projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Stand has an exceptional tilt range

CONS

  • Costly, in a relative sense, for its screen size and resolution

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ViewSonic TD2455 Review

LG UltraFine 4K Display (24MD4KL-B)

Best Monitor for Pairing With Recent Macs

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

LG’s UltraFine 4K Display (24MD4KL-B) is a pin-sharp, if pricey, pick as a Mac-friendly monitor, designed to pair with an Apple desktop or laptop equipped with Thunderbolt 3.

PROS

  • Super-high pixel density.
  • Lofty brightness ceiling.
  • Seamless integration with macOS.
  • USB-C port can charge devices, including laptops.
  • Good color accuracy.
  • Decent built-in speakers.

CONS

  • On the pricey side.
  • Aesthetic doesn’t quite sync with current Macs.
  • Limited port selection.
  • Meager warranty.
  • Functions may be limited with Windows PCs.

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LG UltraFine 4K Display (24MD4KL-B) Review

Apple Pro Display XDR

Best Mac Monitor for Pro Content Creators

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

Apple’s Pro Display XDR provides exceptional color accuracy and build quality at a price that’s quite competitive with those of reference-grade pro monitors. It’s exquisite enough that swallowing the wildly extravagant cost of its Pro Stand is worth it.

PROS

  • Exceptional color accuracy.
  • DisplayHDR 1600 looks incredible.
  • High contrast ratio.
  • Sturdy build.
  • Beautiful design.
  • Functionality with Windows in Boot Camp, or with specialized broadcast-workflow hardware.

CONS

  • Super-expensive stand.
  • No input alternatives to USB-C.
  • Matte-panel version costs $1,000 more.

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Apple Pro Display XDR Review

Buying Guide: The Best Computer Monitors for Business in 2023

Most businesses operate within a strict capital budget, so it’s important to spend your money wisely. A basic 24-inch monitor can cost anywhere from $100 to $175. If you require more screen real estate, a basic 27-inch panel will run you anywhere from $140 to $220.

If you want to replace a dual-monitor setup with a single display, consider going with an ultrawide monitor. For around $350, you can get a 34-inch ultrawide panel that lets you easily view several windows side by side. For those who have the room (and cash) to spare, 43-inch ultrawide business models start at about $600, while gigantic, sprawling 49-inch models start at around $1,000.

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

A subset of ultrawide models support taking in multiple input sources and viewing them side by side onscreen, or via insets. Not all ultrawides support simultaneous display from more than one source; look for monitors that support PbP (“picture by picture”)—in which the screens from each source are displayed side-by-side—or PiP (“picture in picture”), in which video from one source runs in an inset box on the screen showing content from the other source. Bear in mind that displaying multiple video sources onscreen at the same time is not a given; you have to look for that feature if you need it.

Also, note that the screens on many new panels larger than 30 inches are concave, with the left and right edges curving slightly toward the user. These curved monitors provide a more immersive experience than flat panels and reduce distortion at the screen’s edges.

As always, be prepared to spend more for monitors with high-end, high-resolution panels and features such as height-adjustable and pivoting stands, or picture-in-picture functionality. For example, a high-end, 27-inch Wide Quad High-Definition (WQHD) monitor will cost you at least $200, while 34-inch Ultra High-Definition (UHD) or 4K displays with all the trimmings start at about $350. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend big bucks for a sizable midrange UHD monitor; plenty of 27-inch models are available for around $300 if you shop wisely. And it’s very likely that you can get by with a native resolution much lower than UHD. (More on that in a moment.)

While it’s always nice to work with a big screen, it’s not always practical or cost-effective, depending on your budget and available workspace. A 24-inch widescreen (the smallest size of mainstream desktop monitor we cover, or recommend), starting at about $100, is a good fit for users who need to have more than one window open at any given time but have limited space. If there’s room (and budget), a 27-inch screen (starting at about $150) is even better for multitasking, while a 34-inch ultra-wide panel ($300 and up) is a space-saving alternative to a dual-monitor setup.

Which Panel Technology Is Best in a Business Monitor?

The most common monitor panel technologies relevant for business use are in-plane switching (IPS), vertical alignment (VA), and twisted nematic (TN).

IPS excels at accurate color and grayscale performance, and it delivers wide off-center viewing angles, while VA is known for exceptional contrast. Though they are occasionally used on business models, TN panels are best known for their gaming-friendly attributes: high refresh rates, and fast response times. TN panels used to be, on the whole, the least expensive to produce of the three, but now that they’re closer in price, TN panels for business use have largely been superseded by VA and (especially) IPS ones.

(Credit: HP)

IPS has largely become the default choice for mainstream business displays, and you should have no qualms about opting for IPS barring specialized content-creation concerns. A recent IPS variant, IPS Black, offers far better contrast than traditional IPS panels thanks to its ability to render deep black tones. Other less-common panel technologies include patterned vertical alignment (PVA), multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA), indium-gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), and the emerging technologies of full area local dimming (FALD) and mini LED. The latter two promise exceptional color accuracy and high contrast ratios through their ability to control small groups of LEDs at the back of the panel.

Last, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology, which has been used in TVs, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and most recently, a few laptops, is slowly entering the monitor arena. OLED panels provide excellent contrast and color coverage, but their price has been an obstacle for them to take hold in the market. Although you’ll spot OLED screens as an option in a handful of pricey business laptops, they’re not much of a factor in stand-alone business monitor panels (yet). FALD, mini LED, and OLED will only matter to serious graphics pros and video makers.

What Screen Resolution to Get in a Business Monitor?

These days, nearly every monitor is capable of displaying content in high definition—specifically, what’s known as full HD or 1080p resolution, meaning 1,920 by 1,080 pixels. You may find some aging, dirt-cheap displays that peak at 1,366 by 768 pixels or 1,440 by 720 pixels; give them a hard pass.

For basic office use, 1080p resolution should suffice, in a monitor up to 27 inches in panel size. You can also find roomy 32-inch-class monitors with 1080p native resolution, and they are perfectly fine for everyday use, though 1080p may look a tad coarse at that screen size to discriminating eyes, especially for displaying fine text.

Users who work with detailed images or large spreadsheets may want to go with a WQHD monitor, which offers 2,560-by-1,440-pixel resolution, typically at a diagonal screen measurement of 27 to 32 inches. (This resolution is also called “1440p.”) Some ultrawide variants of this resolution go up to 49 inches in size with 5,120-by-1,440-pixel resolution, which is great for multitaskers, who will be able to keep several windows open onscreen, side by side, at once, or stretch a spreadsheet out. Ultrawide models are a good alternative to a multi-monitor array.

UHD resolution, also known as 4K (3,840 by 2,160 pixels), is a boon to graphic designers and photographers. UHD monitors are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 24 inches up. However, for everyday productivity use, UHD is mostly practical only at sizes of 32 inches and up. Multi-windowing at 4K and smaller screen sizes will tend to lead to some quite small text.

What Ports and Features to Look for in a Business Monitor?

As is usually the case with features, the more you get, the more you’ll pay. A display with a highly adjustable ergonomic stand—one that not only lets you adjust tilt, height, and swivel but also pivots between landscape and portrait orientations—will cost a good deal more than a display that has only a tilt adjustment.

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

The same goes for ports. You might still see the occasional DVI or VGA port, but your monitor should connect to your PC via an HDMI cable or a DisplayPort cable. (Indeed, one of these interfaces is generally a necessity for resolutions above 1080p.) A growing number of monitors add USB Type-C ports with DisplayPort functionality, which, with a properly equipped client PC or laptop, can let you push the video signal over this interface.

Some monitors have USB hubs that let you plug USB thumb drives or other devices into more convenient ports on the monitor instead of reaching around the back of your PC; such a display will have both a USB upstream port (for connecting the monitor and computer) and one or more USB downstream ports (for thumb drives and other peripherals). Don’t confuse these USB ports, however, with USB-C video-signal connectivity.

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On USB Type-C-capable monitors, sometimes that same connection can act as the video-signal carrier and the data conduit, and often can supply power to run or charge your computer as well. You’ll want to look at the specs or product description carefully for details on that. These kinds of functionality are often dubbed “DisplayPort over USB” and “USB Power Delivery (PD),” respectively.

Some monitors, especially Mac-friendly ones, have Thunderbolt ports, Many of these are Thunderbolt 3, but we are seeing some with Thunderbolt 4, as well. They offer a speedy connection when paired with a computer with Thunderbolt ports, which includes recent Macs and some Intel-CPU (but not AMD-based) machines. You can identify a Thunderbolt port by its lightning-bolt icon; check the computer’s specs if you’re not sure. A Thunderbolt port is physically the same as a USB-C port, but there is no guarantee that a Thunderbolt monitor will work as fully intended if connected to a non-Thunderbolt-supporting USB-C port. You do pay a premium for monitors with Thunderbolt ports, so be sure you can use such a connection before you invest in a Thunderbolt display.

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

If you spend an inordinate amount of time in front of a screen, you may want to consider a model that offers a “low blue light” setting that can help reduce eyestrain and fatigue. And if you require accurate colors, look for a monitor with an extensive menu of image settings and color palettes.

We generally test each business monitor in three color spaces: sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3. sRGB is the de facto color standard for web-based photos and numerous other purposes, and is the most generally useful and applicable of the three. Adobe RGB has a much wider color gamut than sRGB, but it is mostly used for select graphic arts purposes such as print photography. Last, DCI-P3 is a color space designed for cinema video and is used mostly by videographers and filmmakers. A few high-end models come with a built-in or separate color-calibration hardware tool, but third-party calibration solutions are available as well. For ordinary productivity work, that’s not needed. (See more about how we test monitors.)

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

Built-in speakers can reclaim valuable desktop workspace, but the ones in monitors, especially business-oriented panels, are typically underpowered and tinny-sounding. If your management doesn’t want employees listening to music in open air at their desks, look for a monitor without embedded speakers. The same goes for built-in webcams, which are much less common; they can be useful for videoconferencing, but you’ll want to be sure you need them before springing for the extra cost.

If you plan on using wall-mounting kits or articulating arms to conserve desk space, make sure the monitors are equipped with VESA-compliant mounting brackets or holes. Last, look for at least a three-year warranty that covers parts, labor, and backlighting.

So, What Is the Best Business Monitor to Buy?

To get you started, we’ve listed some of our top-rated business monitors in a variety of sizes and price points. Also, be sure to check out our overall monitor favorites for a wider selection that includes entertainment panels, and our subselection of portable monitors if you need a small panel you can take on the go.

How to connect two monitors to a laptop

We all know that multiple monitors connected to a PC or laptop can greatly increase productivity and bring great benefits, especially when working with a laptop. But how do you connect external monitors to a laptop? You have come to the address. This article provides an easy to understand guide on how to connect two external monitors to your laptop.

1. What you need to check before you start.

2. How to set up a dual monitor connection.

3. Bonus tip: what to do if you can’t see connected monitors.

Note: instruction will be useful if you want to add multiple monitors to both laptop and PC.

Things to check before you start

Most Windows laptops today support at least two monitors. But you need to make sure that two external monitors can be connected to your laptop. It depends on your Windows OS, graphics card power and drivers.

All Windows XP/7/8/10 systems support multi-monitor connection, so you just need to check the graphics card and ports on your laptop.

1. Check the video card

The first thing to check is if your graphics card supports multiple monitors. Usually any video card has at least two outputs, but it is better to check the properties of the video card on the manufacturer’s website.

For example, if you have an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, you can go to the official website, select your graphics card, check the data sheet, where you will see that it supports multiple monitors.

If your graphics card does not support multiple monitors, you may need to purchase and install a suitable graphics card (e.g. GeForce RTX 2080) before continuing with the process.

2. Check the ports on the laptop.

Next, you need to check the ports on your laptop. Typically, a computer or laptop has any of these four ports:

Display Port provides an interface with additional protection for high-definition audio content.

Digital Video Interface (DVI) can usually be identified by its white plastic and markings.

Video Graphics Array (VGA) The can be identified by the blue plastic and markings.

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) allows you to connect all kinds of video devices and transmit audio via cable.

You can check the ports on the back or side of your laptop. In addition to the ports on your laptop, monitor cables should also have appropriate ports. This will save you time and money on their connection. Otherwise, you will need to buy an additional adapter, such as a DVI to HDMI adapter, to get the ports to match.

If there are no suitable ports on the laptop and monitor

If the monitor cable does not fit into the laptop ports, do not despair. There is an exit! You can try one of the methods below:

  • Use an adapter such as HDMI to DVI. This will help if you have two different ports on your monitor and laptop.
  • Use a splitter such as a Display splitter to get two HDMI ports. This will help if you only have one HDMI port on your laptop but need two HDMI ports.
  • Use the docking station, which will help in different circumstances.

How to set up a dual monitor connection

When everything is ready, you can start connecting two monitors to your laptop.

Note: Connect monitors while the laptop is on. In most cases, Windows will detect the connection of a new monitor.

For example, my laptop has VGA and HDMI ports, as do my external monitor cables:

1) Connect the cable of the first external monitor to a suitable video port on the laptop. Hence, I connect the VGA cable from the first external monitor to the VGA port on my laptop.

2) We connect the cable of the second external monitor to another suitable port on the laptop. Hence, I connect the second external monitor’s HDMI cable to the HDMI port on my laptop.

3) Right click on empty space on the laptop screen , and if you have Windows 10, select “ Screen settings ”

if Windows 7/8, select “ Screen resolution “.

4) You will see three screens numbered 1,2 and 3 in view mode. Typically, screen 1 is the laptop monitor and screens 2 and 3 are external monitors .

5) Click on screen 2 and select ” Extend desktop to this screen ” to “ Multiple displays ” and click “ Apply “.

6) Click on screen 3 and select “ Extend desktop to this screen ” in “ Multiple displays ” and click “ Apply “.

7) Press OK to save the settings. Now you can use your laptop with three monitors.

Tips: You can click and drag each display (1, 2 or 3) to change the display order. You can also change the element size, screen resolution, and orientation to suit your preferences.

How to connect multiple monitors to a laptop

The more monitors the better, especially if the laptop has a very small screen. Our tips will help you connect multiple monitors to your laptop and set them up.

Connect your monitor via HDMI, DisplayPort or VGA

If you have an ordinary computer monitor, simply connect it to your laptop via HDMI, DisplayPort or VGA. On most laptops, use the [Fn]+[F] key combination to set up multiple monitors. In this menu, you can choose whether only one screen or all at once will be used.

If your laptop supports multiple external monitors, the easiest way to find out is on the manufacturer’s website. Most devices are not capable of this, even if they have two connectors. There are monitors such as the ASUS MB168B+ that can be connected to a laptop via USB. In this case, the power is also supplied via the USB connection.

Our advice. Connecting two monitors to a laptop at the same time: one via a VGA or HDMI port, and the second via USB – this combination works fine with most laptops.

Connecting a monitor to a laptop through a docking station

You can connect an additional monitor to a laptop through a docking station. In this case, MacBook owners have a particularly large choice, but for other devices, it is enough just to find suitable adapters and docking stations in online stores.

How to use your tablet as a monitor

You can use an Android or iPad tablet as a second monitor. But to connect it, you need a special application.

  • Download and install the iDisplay software on your laptop. Then install the app of the same name on your iPad or Android tablet. You can download iDisplay here.
  • If ​​you are using iPad, both iPad and laptop must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. To connect, enter the IP address of your computer in the application.
  • An Android tablet can also be connected via Wi-Fi. If there is no free network nearby, connect the devices using USB.
  • Once all devices are connected via the iDisplay app, the tablet can be used as a monitor.

Programs for connecting multiple monitors

If you have problems using a second monitor, check out these programs:

  • Dual Monitor Taskbar.