How to Use a TV as a Monitor for a Laptop

Using a TV screen monitor makes working on computer a lot easier especially if you happen to have the newer model of TV set which is bigger and with better display capacity. The bigger your TV screen is, the more fun it is to use it as an alternate screen for your computer or laptop. Here are the steps to use your TV as monitor for your laptop:

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• VGA cable (length depends on your preference)
• Laptop
• TV with VGA/RGB port
• TV remote control

1. Turn off both TV and laptop if you are using them.

2. 
    

   Get ready the VGA cable that you will use to connect the laptop and the TV.

3. 
    

   Locate the RGB/VGA external monitor port on your laptop. It is usually found at the back or on the side. It will have 15 pins (5 holes in 3 rows) which in most models has a screw hole on either side.

4. 
    

   Attach one end of the cable to the external monitor port of your laptop.

5. 
    

   Connect the other end of the cable to the VGA port at the back of your TV.

6. Tighten the two screw-in connectors to secure the cable.

7. Turn on the computer and the TV.

8. Use the remote control to switch the TV input to PC.

9. You can now use your TV screen as monitor for your laptop.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the TV and laptop is connected to a surge protector breaker box to protect these equipments.

Resources

• Samsung NC10-11PBK 10.2-Inch Netbook
• Gold Plated 6FT VGA/HD15/RGB to 3 RCA COMPONENT FOR TV/HDTV CABLE

[gughasrinivas]

on 1/22/2010 I liked it...

[kleigha209]

on 1/18/2010 what if your tv does not have one of these ports, but ur laptop does? is there some type of converter you can use?

[christinaj]

on 12/2/2009 Great idea.

[rnhealthinfo]

on 11/23/2009 Your article on How to Use a TV as a Monitor for a Laptop is very interesting and sounds easy to do & I'm going to try it! 5* recommend

[alltrails]

on 11/12/2009 Excellent article on how to use the tv as a monitor for a laptop. What a good idea - I'm going to try this. Thanks for the instructions!