How to Connect Multiple Displays to your Computer System?

In a present scenario, connecting your laptop or desktop with multiple displays is a smart way to make your work easier. This process might look simple. I mean it’s just connecting one thing to another, how hard can it be? Hard enough to make you search all over the internet. It requires the right cables, fine-tuning, proper connections, and much more.

Let’s see how to connect your computer to multiple displays and all the other things you need to consider.

Check The Connections

First and foremost thing to do is to find out the right type of computer monitor cables you need. With the variety of computers, you would have different ports, HDMI, USB Type-C, DVI, and other ports. You need to check the output on the computer and make sure it matches with the input on the monitor. In a scenario where the output does not have a matching input on the monitor, you can get the help of a computer cable adapter to help you convert the output.

"Extend" VS "Duplicate"

Once you select the right cable for your connection, plug into the computer and then the monitor. In doing so, you will be given multiple screen options. Since you want to work with both the screens, "Extend" would be an appropriate option. It allows you to divide the single desktop into two displays. It makes it easy to drag different windows from one display to the other. However, in order to make a presentation or to watch any video, choose the "Second Screen Only" or "Duplicate" options. The duplicate option would display the same windows on both the screens, while the second screen only option would shut down the display on the first screen.

Fine Tuning

Talking about typically windows system, it would position the first screen on the left with the new one on the right by default. As a result of it, you have to move the cursor from the right-hand side of the screen to get to the new monitor. If you are not able to do that, make an adjustment by following these steps:

• Right click on the desktop and select the "screen resolution option". It is important to note that the settings would vary with the versions of windows. In the latest version, it will show as Display settings.
• Once the dialog box appears along with the screen images, click and drag the screen images until you get them, to their appropriate positions.
• You can click on the "Identify" button on the right-hand side of the screen images to know the chronology of the screens.

It is important to note that windows do not restrict a computer user to just the right and left positions. You can arrange your screens in such a way that the new display would sit below or above the other one.

Adjust The Resolutions

In some video connections, it might not display the images at the same resolution as native computer’s resolution. That’s why getting the right resolution is another factor that could affect the choice of a cable. It depends on the specifications of the second connected monitor as well. To avoid display issues, it is important to own a good monitor with at least a 4K resolution.

Establishing A Connection On Apple Laptop Or Computer

When it comes to apple computer, the process is the same for the connectors. If you are done with the external monitor setup and it’s switched on, connect it to your computer with the right computer monitor cable. The computer would detect the external monitor. You can change to your display references by clicking on display settings from system preferences. If your external monitor is not detected, you can click on "Detect Displays" from the display settings pane and voila!

Extra Tips On Connecting A Monitor To A Laptop Or Computer

When you find yourself in a dilemma where you have all the ports for the cables including HDMI, DVI, VGA, etc. rather than avoiding the usage of multiple monitors. You can connect them using a dual personality cable such as DVI to HDMI or use a converter.

In the present time, most of the Apple laptops come with a USB Type-C port which carries data, videos, and charges the laptop too. In Apple MacBook laptop, you would find one USB type C port which is multipurpose. To use an external monitor with the MacBook laptop, you have to use the computer cable adapter.

Wrapping Up

Before purchasing an extra monitor, it is important to check if your system is able to carry such a high load. Check the ports from the backside. Most computers would have VGA, DVI, and HDMI. So, for example, if your monitor and computer have a VGA connection, then vga cable would connect them. Based on your understanding of the computers, monitors and computer monitor cables, you will need to pick the right accessory for the right function.

Jennifer Truong is the owner of SF Cable, a california based online retailer of all kind of Computers, electronics, electrical accessories, networking accessories, cables, wires. Jennifer has extensive experience in the Electronics industry and blog.