5 easy ways to connect a laptop to a monitor

Did you know that

nine households connected out of 10

in Australia own a PC or laptop? Or that over 40% of Australian homes also have an internet-connected TV?

It's true! In addition, there are now approximately

40 million computers

in Australia alone.

As amazing as PCs and laptops are, viewing them on a single screen can be a little too limiting. Especially for those who multitask and need to open more programs and apps than the average user.

The good news is that there are several easy ways to set up your laptop so you can use another monitor with it. This means you can have multiple display screens with a single laptop.

Ready to get the most out of your laptop? So keep reading because we've covered five of the best ways to connect your laptop to an external display!

1. Use an HDMI cable to connect your laptop to the monitor

HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. It is one of the most commonly used audio/video standards today. It is capable of delivering high definition AV signals over a single cable.

Most modern laptops come with at least one HDMI port that you can connect to a computer monitor. You only need an HDMI cable, connect one end to your laptop and the other end to the screen.

Before purchasing an HDMI cable, be sure to check your monitor's display inputs first. . Confirm you have an HDMI port, as it looks (and works) a lot like the DisplayPort input. But as long as you have one of

best high definition monitors

, rest assured that it comes with an HDMI port.

2. Extend your screen with a DisplayPort cable

DisplayPort (DP), like HDMI, can also transmit HD audio and video signals from a laptop computer, for example an LG monitor. In fact, DP is more common than HDMI on computer displays.

One way to tell that your laptop and monitor have DisplayPort is by the appearance of the port itself. DP has five sides, with an angled upper right corner. HDMI has eight sides, with the left and right corners looking identical.

Even if your laptop has both HDMI and DP outputs, your monitor may only have a DP input. In this case you will need a

DisplayPort male to male cable

@jb140 - I have dual Dell 24" monitors, just need to figure out how to connect both to MBP. I use the laptop screen + monitor easily though

— Nicholas Mercer Sat Feb 20 05:34:46 +0000 2010

. One end goes into your laptop's DP output, while the other goes into the external display's DP input.

3. Connect with a USB-C cable

Some laptops may also come with a USB-C (Thunderbolt3) video output option. If your monitor has this port, you can configure it to extend your laptop's display.

You can either directly connect your laptop's USB-C output to your monitor's USB-C input. You can also use a USB-C adapter for HDMI or DisplayPort inputs.

4. Use a DVI cable

Of all the display options on this list, Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is the "oldest". This means that it is also the lowest in terms of video quality. However, it can still display a resolution of up to 2560 x 1600.

If you have an older computer screen, chances are you only have a DVI input. You can easily connect a DVI cable from your laptop to the display, but don't expect incredible video quality. If what you're looking for is a high-end display, then invest in a monitor upgrade.

5. Get an adapter

Let's say your laptop has a DisplayPort output but you prefer to connect it to your HP monitor with an HDMI cable. In this case, you can use a

DisplayPort to HDMI adapter

or one

DisplayPort to HDMI Dongle

.

You will also find adapters and dongles to convert signals, such as HDMI to VGA.

Boost Your Laptop's Power With These Display Expansion Techniques

There you have it, your ultimate guide to connecting your laptop to an external display. Whether you have an LG or Lenovo monitor, all you need is the right cable to extend your laptop screen. By doing this, you can take your multitasking prowess to the next level.

Want to learn more about refurbished monitors and PC setups? So don't hesitate to

contact us now

! We can help you invest in the right equipment to upgrade your workstation.