Using an external monitor with a laptop?

How to Use a Laptop Using an External Monitor

• Answer:

  Laptop users sometimes need to attach an external monitor to the computers. Some users like a larger screen when working on laptops at home but settle for the smaller screen on the road. Other users use their laptops as a central processing unit (CPU) and attach other peripherals like keyboards to create a desktop. Laptop users can also attach an external monitor to continue using a laptop with a broken screen. Difficulty: Easy Things You'll Need Laptop External monitor DVI to VGA adapter (Mac only) Instructions For PCs Connect the VGA cable to the laptop. The cable will have an isosceles trapezoid-shaped head and two screws. The location of the VGA port on the laptop will vary with the model, but it will usually be on the side or back of the machine. Change the display setting. Some laptops automatically detect external devices and will ask if the user wants to use the external device. Click, "yes." If not, change it manually by holding the "Fn" key and the appropriate function key. The appropriate function key will vary by model, but most models use F3, F4, F5, F8 or F9. Most models will have a picture of a laptop and rectangle or label the key CRT/LCD. Most models will cycle through three display options--laptop only, laptop and external device and external device only. Adjust the resolution. Some laptops will automatically detect the resolution of the external monitor. If not, Windows users can manually sync the laptop and monitor resolution under the graphic properties option. Depending on the operating system, this option can be found in the control panel or by right clicking on the desktop. For Macs Connect the VGA cable to the DVI to VGA adapter. Apple offers several different models of adapters for different types of laptops. Be sure to buy the correct adapter. Connect the adapter to the laptop in the video-out port. Like the PC, this allows the laptop to interface with the external monitor. Adjust the settings. Go to "System preferences" then "Display" after the laptop detects the external monitor. Adjust the resolution settings if necessary and select which screen--the laptop or external monitor--will act as the primary display. Tips & Warnings Tip: If you want to use a PC as a laptop, connect other peripherals, such as the keyboard and mouse. Then change the power settings to tell the computer to "do nothing" when the laptop is closed and powered by the cord. Tip: If you want to use a MacBook as a laptop close the lid and connect the peripherals. The laptop will power down and start up again once it detects the peripherals.