Are you switching between windows too often or filling your laptop screen with multiple windows? It's time to buy a second monitor. Using multiple monitors can significantly improve productivity, as you have much more screen space to work with. But if you're thinking about using a second monitor with a laptop, there are some precautions you need to take.
Be careful if you are going to use a second monitor with your laptop!
Create the configuration
The first thing you need to do is the actual setup, including screen output options, as this will determine the monitors you can buy.
If you have an older laptop, it may have an HDMI port and a Mini DisplayPort available. This means you can connect two screens without having to worry about splitters or adapters. On newer laptops, you'll likely only see an HDMI port or a USB-C port with DisplayPort capabilities.
Consult your laptop manual to check port specifications. For example, you need DisplayPort or HDMI 1.3 (or higher) if you want to use a 1080p 144 Hz monitor. Knowing your laptop's capabilities can save you an expensive purchase that you may not be able to use to its full potential. .
The cables follow. Purchase high-quality HDMI cables that are compatible with the resolution of your monitors. Although a standard HDMI cable can work on almost any monitor, it is important to check the speed to ensure the screen quality is high. Although most HDMI cables are the same, some variations in HDMI cables may mislead you. This also applies to USB Type-C cables. Not all USB Type-C cables have the same construction, so choosing the wrong cable can be a hassle.
Manage your desk
Connecting an external display to your monitor almost certainly means that you will have to place it in a suitable location on your desk in order to use your laptop screen as a secondary display. At this stage, if you still want to use your laptop's keyboard, things can get a little complicated.
Don't forget that once you decide to add an external display to your laptop, you are moving up to a workstation-style desk. Although you can place the monitor next to your laptop and connect the necessary cables, this does not provide the best experience.
Therefore, we recommend an external keyboard, a mouse and a stand to place the laptop. This will give it a more desktop-like feel and ensure you can place things in the most ergonomic position possible.
At this point, you'll start to see another problem: a mess of cables on your desk. Again, you can simply put them away and forget about them, but managing these cables correctly will be extremely useful when making changes, swapping items, or even when you have to turn off your laptop to use it away from your desk.
If you have a small desk or if you feel like your monitor stand is taking up too much space, it's a good idea to buy a monitor arm. It will greatly improve the appearance of your setup, while also giving you more flexibility in terms of screen positioning.
Decide the ideal number of monitors
The number of monitors you need depends on what you'll be doing most of your time with your laptop. For most people, just an extra monitor will be enough. So, if you want to create a triple curved screen workstation, save money and buy a good widescreen monitor with a high refresh rate, low response time and good color accuracy.
Use a dock
If your laptop has a Thunderbolt 4 port, docks might look promising. You can connect all your displays, peripherals, network cables and more, while charging your laptop via a single USB-C cable.
However, you will need to make sure that the docking station's display ports support your monitors so that you can get the resolution and refresh rate you need. Last but not least, make sure the docking station supports USB-C Power Delivery; otherwise, you will need another cable to charge your laptop if it supports USB-C charging.