We all know that multiple monitors can extremely improve our productivity and bring a great experience, especially when you’re using a laptop. But how to connect external monitors to a laptop? Windows XP/7/8/10 all support multiple monitors, so you just need to check the graphics card and ports on your laptop.
Generally speaking, most Windows laptops now support dual monitors, at least. But you need to make sure your laptop is capable to add two external monitors. And that depends on your Windows operating system, the capability of your graphics cards, and drivers.
1. Check the graphics card
First of all, you may need to make sure your graphics card supports multiple monitors. Normally, every graphics card provides at least two outputs, but you will need to check the graphics card properties on the manufacturer’s website, find your graphics card, and check the specifications to see if it supports adding two external monitors.
2. Check available ports on your laptop
Then you may need to check the ports on your laptop. Generally, a computer or laptop should include any of these four ports:
Display Port can provide an interface with optional audio high-definition content protection.
Digital Video Interface (DVI) is usually color-coded with white plastic and labels.
Video Graphics Array (VGA) is normally color-coded with blue plastic and labels.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) can connect all kinds of video devices and provide sounds through the cable.
How to set up to connect two monitors
1) Plug the cable of the first external monitor to the correct video port on your laptop. So I plug the VGA cable of the first external monitor into the VGA port on my laptop.
2) Plug the cable of the second external monitor to the other correct port on your laptop. So I plug the HDMI cable of the second external monitor into the HDMI port on my laptop.
3) On your laptop, right-click an empty area of your desktop, if you are using Windows 10, click Display settings.
4) You will see three displays labeled with 1, 2, and 3 in display mode. Generally speaking, display 1 is the monitor of your laptop and displays 2 and 3 are the external monitors.
5) Click display 2, and select Extend desktop to this display in Multiple displays, and click Apply.
6) Click display 3, and select Extend desktop to this display in Multiple displays, and click Apply.
7) Click OK to finish the settings, and you can now use the three monitors on your laptop.
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