A laptop is far more versatile than a PC. Did you know that, occasionally, you can use your laptop as a monitor? Yes, it is the answer. There is a lot of misunderstanding among consumers about how to use a laptop as a monitor. However, this article will clear the sky for you.
There are numerous benefits to using your laptop’s screen as a monitor. When you are multitasking, an extended display might ease your job in terms of viewing angle. Your old laptop may not be something you want to use for chores, but you may easily utilize it as a monitor.
My hobby at thetechxp is saving you time and educating you about technology. You will be able to use your laptop’s screen as a monitor with ease once you have finished reading this guide.
Here’s how to use a laptop as a monitor on both Windows and macOS devices, or set it up as a screen for a desktop PC
How to Use a Laptop as a Monitor?
There can be a lot of reasons why you should use your laptop as a monitor. Whether you are a student, a professional, a YouTuber, or a gamer, the extended screen can add a lot of value to your work.
- The first reason is productivity. Laptops are indeed portable, but due to the limited screen size, you may have to compromise on multitasking. However, by using your current laptop as a monitor, you can skip that limit.
- The second reason behind using your laptop as a monitor is that it can help you in case of a cracked screen on your main device. You can copy all your important documents and data from the pc with a broken screen before sending it for repair.
- The third reason can be trading on the stock market. If you are a trader, you need a lot of screen space for monitoring chart patterns, buying/selling, and whatnot. The extended screen will definitely give you the charm of doing everything at the same time.
- The fourth but not the least reason is that an extended screen can be used for making notes while using one screen as a display of content. Sounds amazing, right? And it’s super productive as well.
Keeping in mind that different operating systems, the process of using your laptop’s screen as a monitor is different but simple. Let me assure you that your productivity will be multiplied after you start using your laptop’s screen as a monitor.
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How to Use Laptop as a Monitor on Windows | 4 Best Methods
The process is wired yet simple. I know that all the users may not be using the same operating system. Irrespective of your current operating system, this article will help you with the process of using your Laptop as a monitor.
Method 1: Using a Laptop to Monitor Through HDMI
The easiest way to use your laptop as a monitor is to connect it with your primary PC using an HDMI cable. The whole purpose of providing HDMI in your laptop is to use it as a screen sharing or screen-extending device. Since you are extending your screen, you will be required to change the sharing setting on your primary PC.
To change the setting, simply press CTRL + P on your keyboard or press the F4 key.
On other keyboards, look for the projecting button and press it. After that, choose the Extend option and you will be ready to extend your main screen to your laptop.
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Method 2: Through Miracast
Windows 10’s Miracast technology allows you to wirelessly use your laptop as a monitor without any hassle. All you need to do is to ensure that both your devices are updated to Windows 10 or higher. You can check this information by pressing the right-click on the My Computer icon and clicking properties. If you wish to check whether or not you have any pending updates, you can press the window button and type in updates.
In the updates section, you can check whether or not you have any updates. After ensuring the windows version, you need to press CTRL + K keys on your primary screen and select the laptop as your wireless screen.
Method 3: Using Remote Desktop Application
If you wish to use your laptop as a monitor for media consumption, then the above methods will suffice. However, if you just want another screen just for productivity, including viewing multiple documents at once or multitasking but do not have the HDMI cable or either of your devices run on Windows version 9 or less, then this method will work like a charm.
All you have to do is visit the Remote Desktop website and simply share your Laptop’s screen as a monitor. You will be asked to enter an access code which will be displayed on your main PC.
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Method 4: Using Ethernet Cable and Spacedesk
This method of using your Laptop works offline seamlessly just with an Ethernet Cable. Through this method, you can consume media or work on documents. All you need to do is download the Spacedesk app on both devices and connect both with an Ethernet cable.
How to Use Laptop as a Monitor on Mac OS
If you own any Laptop or a PC by Apple, and if you are wondering whether or not you can use a windows laptop as a monitor for your Apple PC, then you are at the right place.
The first prerequisite is to have Apple Airplay on your Primary Apple PC. Secondly, you will be required to download Apple Airplay on your Windows Laptop. After launching Airplay on both devices, you need to select the Windows Laptop from the list on your primary PC and click on extend option. After this, the Windows Laptop will start casting your Apple PC’s screen.
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How to use a laptop as a monitor on Windows
1. Navigate to the left end of your taskbar (on the bottom of your screen) and press the ‘Start’ button. Alternatively, tap on the Windows key to trigger the main menu.
2. Select the settings icon on the left side of the menu, which should open the settings menu.
3. Click on the Display option located on the top left corner of the menu.
4. Once your display cable is successfully plugged in, you should be able to view numbered rectangles that indicate your connected and existing displays under the ‘Select and rearrange displays’ section. If you’re not seeing it, double-check your cable connection. Still no luck? Click on ‘Detect’ to force your device to search for a display.
5. Scroll down to the ‘Multiple displays’ section and select ‘Extend these displays.’
6. And in case you’re unsure about which screen is which (as shown in the ‘Select and rearrange displays’ section), select ‘Identify’. This will force a corresponding number to pop on on each display. You can rearrange the displays by dragging them to fit your desired placement.
How to extend your laptop display on Windows
1. Navigate to the left end of your taskbar (on the top of your screen) and press the Apple menu button.
2. Select ‘System Preferences’, which should trigger the settings menu.
3. Click on the ‘Displays’ option located in the bottom left corner. This should open up a new window.
4. Once your display cable is successfully plugged in, select the ‘Arrangement’ tab, which should appear as the second option at the top of the menu.
5. You should now be able to see blue rectangles that indicate your connected and existing displays. The one with the white tab on top of it is your main display. Just make sure that the Mirror Displays option is unticked.
6. To rearrange the displays, drag the rectangles over to the desired placement. You can also relocate the menu bar by dragging it in order to change your primary display.
How to use a laptop as a monitor for your desktop PC
1. On your Windows laptop, navigate to the left end of your taskbar (on the bottom of your screen) and press the ‘Start’ button. Alternatively, tap on the Windows key to trigger the main menu.
2. Select the settings icon on the left side of the menu, which should open the settings menu.
3. Click on the ‘Projecting to this PC’ option, which should appear as the tenth option from the top.
4. Once your desktop machine is connected to your desired laptop, go ahead and change the first drop-down menu from ‘Always off’ to ‘Available everywhere on secure networks’. You can also set up a PIN for pairing and ‘Ask to project to this PC every time a connection is requested’ (you can adjust those two settings to fit your preference).
5. On your desktop PC, select the ‘Action Center’ icon located on the bottom right corner of the screen. Then click on ‘Connect’ and wait until your laptop appears on the screen. Once you see it pop up on your display, go ahead and select it.
6. You will then need to turn to your laptop and accept the connection request. And if you’ve set up a PIN when pairing your machines, at this stage you will need to type it in.
7. Right-click on your desktop device and select ‘Desktop settings’. Open up the display menu and select the ‘Extend desktop to this display’ option. You can now rearrange the displays by dragging them to the preferred position.
Wrapping Up
The detailed procedure for using your laptop as a monitor is now complete. I read through a number of online publications, but I was unable to find any page that contained a straightforward answer for both Windows and Mac in the same location. However, thetechxp currently has it. Your tech questions can be answered with just one click at thetechxp. Scroll onward.