How to Add a Monitor to Your Laptop

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Laptops are portable. But their monitors are typically smaller than their desktop counterparts. But you can add a monitor to your laptop and increase its viewing ability.

Instructions

Laptop with USB port
Windows 98SE/ME/XP/2000/Vista or Mac OSX (must be Intel-based)
CD-ROM drive (or connection to internet to download drivers)
Extra monitor
USB to VGA or DVI adapter

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- 1
  
  Connect the monitor cable of the monitor, if not already connected.
- 2
  
  Plug the other end of the cable (VGA or DVI) into your laptop.
- 3
  
  If the screen does not automatically display, right-click on your desktop and select "Properties" from the pop-up menu. Then select the "Settings" tab. You should be able to change the arrangement of the monitor and resolutions.
- 4
  
  If the screen still doesn't appear, you may need to press a key sequence on your laptop. Depending on your laptop model, press "Fn" together with either "F3," "F4," "F5," "F8" or "F9." The key combination switches between your laptop display and your external monitor display.

Tips & Warnings

In general there are two resolutions of USB to DVI adapters - 1280X1024 and 1600X1200. Note that these represent the max resolutions, but you can alter the settings for wide-screen monitors.
In light of the current maximum resolution support it is recommended that you use a monitor up to 19" - a 20" or 21" monitor will also look fine, but on a 24" monitor you will not be able to run at native resolution

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ComputerHope: How Can I Connect an External Monitor to My Laptop?

Comments

Maurice Apr 05, 2011
I have a IBM Thinkpad R40, an a HP2310e Monitor connected, I can not get the hp monitor to take over. fn+f8 would not work, help!

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How to Add a Monitor to Your Laptop

Instructions

Things You'll Need

Tips & Warnings

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