Double screen: how to configure it on a PC, how to plug 2 screens on a laptop? Blog
How to connect 2 screens to a laptop
The monitor and your PC seem to be in line to operate together ? It is time to connect them and make some settings.
Double screen: how to configure it on a PC
The monitor of your PC becomes too narrow to display whatever you want ? Connect a second screen ! You will benefit from an extended display or a mirror mode, on a fixed computer as on a laptop.
- Display on two screens
- Technical criteria
- Plug a second screen
You may have already seen in offices with friends or even on TV of people using several screens with a single computer. Do not believe that this luxury is reserved for pros and “geeks” equipped with high -end machines: everyone can do the same. Indeed, whether portable or fixed, a current PC can generally manage two screens simultaneously (or more in some cases). A function that offers many advantages in terms of comfort by multiplying the display possibilities. And which is very simple to implement in Windows 10, which was not the case with the first versions of Windows.
How to display on two screens with a PC ?
In practice, there are essentially two ways to use two screens. The first consists in extending the display, the second screen extending the space offered by the first, as an extension – a bit as if you used a very large screen separated in two pieces, the Windows desktop then distributed on both monitors and mouse passing from one to the other as if they were only. You thus have a larger space, which allows you to display more windows or tool pallets – practical for audio, photo or video creation software – or devote a screen to an application – a spreadsheet Like Excel, a web browser, messaging, a video player, etc. – while using the other for the rest. It is the favorite mode of pros, developers, creatives and players who all need to display many elements at the same time.
The second mode is duplication. In this case, the second monitor displays exactly the same thing as the first. This mode is especially interesting with a laptop, when you connect an external monitor larger and therefore more comfortable than the integrated screen – for example a 24 inch editor on a 12 inch laptop. This time, we do not gain in the workspace, but on the display surface. The duplication thus makes it possible to use only the second monitor and to fold the laptop screen to use it as a fixed PC – provided, of course, to connect a keyboard and a mouse. This mode is also useful for making a presentation on an external screen, for a course or a meeting, for example. It can also be useful for connecting a PC to a TV or a video projector (see our practical sheet connect a computer to a TV or a projector).
What are the technical criteria to connect a second screen to a PC ?
In practice, the only condition to connect a second screen to a PC is to have an available video output. The situation differs depending on whether you use a fixed computer or a laptop. On a fixed PC, you already have a video output used to connect your main instructor: so you need another for the second screen. On a laptop, the screen is already integrated, therefore connected internally, without going through an external socket: it is therefore enough to have a video output. Rest assured, unless you have an exotic or very low-end model, you will generally find two video outputs on a fixed PC and a video output on a laptop.
Then arises the question of the format of the plug available to connect the second screen. Depending on the case, it can be of the HDMI, DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort, DVI or VGA type, on the oldest PCs. The ideal is to use the same format on the computer and the screen, to avoid having to use an adapter. As far as possible, favor HDMI – the most universal today – or DisplayPort. These two digital formats make it possible to transport both the image and the sound-practical for monitors who integrate speakers-and have managed very high definitions. DVI (digital) and VGA (analog) only carry the image: they are found mainly on old devices, but they can be used for troubleshooting. Once you have found a common socket format, all you have to do is bring the right cable to connect your computer to your second screen (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI or VGA cable)).
Be careful however if you plan to use a very high definition screen: you must make sure that your PC can really take advantage of it. It all depends on the capacities of its graphic circuit. In fact, depending on its configuration, your PC has either a real dedicated graphic circuit (ATI-AMD or NVIDIA) with its own video memory, or a simple graphic unit (Intel Graphics type, for example) associated with processor and sharing the RAM of the computer, both at the same time. In general, graphics cards offer more possibilities than integrated circuits, particularly in the management of high definitions. It will be useless to connect a 32 inch 4K-IUIGD screen (3840 x 2160 pixels) if your PC can only manage Full HD.(1920 x 1080 pixels). On the other hand, you will in principle have no problem to use a 24 -inch Full HD screen on a laptop, for example.
If you have any doubts, or if you are just curious, you can easily check the graphic part of your PC. To do this, right -click on the mouse on The start menu of Windows, bottom left, and select device Manager In the menu that appears. In the window device Manager, Unroll the section Graphics cards. You then see if your PC has one or two graphic circuits.
How to connect a second screen to a PC with Windows 10 ?
The monitor and your PC seem to be in line to operate together ? It is time to connect them and make some settings.
- Turn on your second monitor then your PC and connect them with the adequate cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI or VGA).
- Windows automatically detects the presence of the new screen. By default, the image displayed on the first monitor is automatically duplicated on the second. Click on the Notification zone of the taskbar. Several shortcuts are displayed at the bottom in the form of tiles. Possibly click on the link Develop to make them appear.
- Click on the tile Project. The first display mode settings appear. By default, Windows opted for mode Duplicate.
- Click on the mode Extend. Immediately Windows desktop continues on the second instructor.
- Then right -click on the mouse on A virgin area of the office Windows. In the contextual menu that appears, choose Display settings.
- You can now organize the extended mode and define the arrangement of monitors. Useful for example if you have placed monitor n ° 2 (the new) on the left of monitor n ° 1.
- Click and hold the click on the scored framework of a 2 and move it to the left of the frame marked with a 1. The pointer of your mouse will now easily go from one to the other. It will be enough to move it to the edge where the second monitor is physically to see it appear on it.
- Depending on the capacities of your card or graphic circuit, you can modify the definition of the image displayed on your second monitor. Practical when the two screens do not have the same “native” definition. Select your second monitor in the section Reorganize your postings, Then scroll the contents of the window to the section Scaling and arrangement.
- Click on the drop -down menu Screen resolution (yes, Microsoft continues to confuse definition and resolution, etc.), and choose the definition that suits you in the list. Confirm your choice in the dialog that appears.
- You can now check that the two monitors do not adopt the same image definition by going up in the window in the section Reorganize your postings.
- You can push your settings even further, depending on the capacity of your card or graphic circuit. Click at the bottom of the window on Advanced display settings.
- The properties of your second monitor are displayed. Click on the link Video card properties for display 2.
- In the window that appears, click the button List all modes.
- You can now define the definition of the image, the color mode and the refresh frequency (expressed in hertz). Choose the mode that suits you, then click on OK And Apply. Observe the image on the second monitor. If it doesn’t suit you, click the button Restore In the dialog that appears.
Around the same subject
- Whatsapp Double SIM> Guide
- Black PC screen> Guide
- Return Windows Screen> Guide
- Save your screen> Guide
- IPhone Home Screen> Guide
Device guide
- Reset PS4 controller: Put the Dualshock to zero
- Webcam that no longer works: what to do
- Recorded keys: easily type keyboard shortcuts
- Samsung Odyssey Neo G8: a giant 4k giant gaming screen at 240 Hz
- Share a printer between network computers
- HP printer blocking
- Inkjet printer: the best multifunction
- PC device identification number: how to find it with Windows
- Computer screen: the best monitors for PC and Mac
- Canon Megatank Pixma
- Corsair Xeneon Flex: a flat Oled screen that can be incurred
- Computer keyboard: good choices
- PC mouse: models for all tastes
- Change the definition or orientation of a screen
- Gamer screens: the best monitors to play
- Webcam: the best models for videoconferencing and streaming
- Microsoft Audio Dock and present more: clever accessories for Teams
- 3D printer: what is the best model ?
- Gaming chair: the best gamer armchairs
- Samsung Smart Monitor M8: a very versatile connected screen
- Logitech Brio 500: a webcam designed for teleworking
- Gamer mouse: the best models to play
Newsletter
The information collected is intended for CCM Benchmark Group to ensure the sending of your newsletter.
They will also be used subject to the options subscribed, by CCM Benchmark Group for advertising targeting and commercial prospecting within the Le Figaro group, as well as with our business partners. The treatment of your email for advertising and personalized content is carried out when registering on this form. However, you can oppose it at any time.
More generally, you benefit from a right of access and rectification of your personal data, as well as that of requesting erasure within the limits provided by law.
You can also review your options in terms of commercial prospecting and targeting. Find out more about our privacy policy or our Cookie policy.
How to connect 2 screens to a laptop ?
The benefit of the double screen, to play or work is indisputable, in particular for the use of several applications at the same time. However, it is not always easy to know how to proceed. Also, if you are wondering how to connect 2 screens to a laptop, here are the possible solutions !
The necessary ports to connect 2 screens to a laptop
In order to be able to connect two external monitors on your laptop, some connectors must be present, to the rank of which:
The HDMI port
This is the port that you will find very likely if your machine is recent.This is the same port used by televisions as well as internet boxes to receive a plethora of channels. The HDMI port allows you to transmit audio and video flow, and on recent standards it even supports 4K and 60Hz. In case you have two HDMI ports on the same computer, the concern will quickly be set. You will even be able to use an HDMI switch if you have only one port present.
DVI/VGA ports
These are other possibilities only dedicated to display. If they are older than HDMI, they are still very widespread on recent machines, but thanks to adapters they can be connected to screens with HDMI input.
Note that they only transmit video flows, not audio.
Miracast
On recent devices, and if your external screen has wifi, it is possible to use the miracast solution. This allows you to connect the two devices via a wireless connection. For a non-wireless device, miracast adapters exist in the form of a USB key, as if to add Bluetooth for example.
If you must acquire a new laptop with the aim of making double display, but you do not know on what criteria you stop, do not hesitate to consult our article on how to choose your computer !
How to configure a double screen display ?
When you connect a screen or even to your machine, you will have to select which one will be the main. This is automatically indicated as monitor 1 in the display settings for your graphics card.
To access this setting, right -click on the desktop. Then go to display settings> Display> Several postings. You will then have access to the various devices available, if not the case click detect .
To then manage how the display will be done, use the Windows + P keyboard shortcut . You will then have the project menu, allowing for example to have an extended or duplicated display.
We hope that this little guide will allow you to know how to connect 2 screens to a laptop PC easily