All modern laptops can connect to an external display, such as an LCD monitor, projector, or TV. The external display can extend your viewing area, giving you more space for applications, or mirror your laptop screen (show the same thing on both screens).
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How to connect to an external display in Windows
To connect the external display to a laptop, locate the correct port on the body of your laptop. Most laptops utilize on or more of the following connections: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or USB-C (Thunderbolt 3). Some older laptops use VGA. These various connections are shown in the images below.
Once you plug the display into your laptop, you may be required to press one or more keys on the laptop's keyboard to 'activate' the external display. This shortcut key combination varies depending on the laptop, but is often one of the following: hold the Fn key, and then press F3, F4, F5, F7, F8, F9, or F10.
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The activation function key usually has a picture of a monitor on or above it. Consult your laptop's manual if you can't find the key. If you are still having trouble, or you need to download a copy of the manual, visit the laptop manufacturer's website.
Change what's displayed on the secondary monitor
In Windows, press Windows key+P to show the Project options (for controlling a projector or external display).
- PC Screen Only - Only the primary display is active. The external display is not used.
- Duplicate - The same image is shown on both displays. If the displays have different resolutions, the resolution of the smaller display is used for both.
- Extend - The external display extends the primary. Application windows can be moved from one display to the other if you click-and-drag the window's title bar.
- Second screen only - The primary display is disabled, and only the secondary display is enabled.
If your external display uses Miracast (HDMI over Wi-Fi Direct), click Connect to a wireless display to connect to it.
How to connect an external display on macOS
For users with macOS X 10.8 or later:
- Access the System Preferences menu and select the Displays option.
- Press and hold the Option key.
- In the bottom-right corner of the Displays window, locate a Detect Displays button.
- Click it to force macOS to look for any external displays connected to the computer.
Laptop connected to a docking station
If your laptop connects to a docking station, there should be several video ports on the back of it for a monitor. However, the types of ports varies from brand to brand. Depending on the docking station, the laptop may have to remain open for a dual monitor display.
How do I disable the auto-switch or specify an external display?
Some laptops have an external display 'auto-switch' feature, which can be configured in the BIOS.
Will a monitor work with my laptop if my laptop screen is broken?
In many cases, yes. If only the laptop's screen is broken, an external monitor usually still works with your laptop. However, if there are other malfunctioning components, such as your video hardware, the external display may not work.
Additional information
- See the DVI, external display, and VGA definitions for additional information about these terms and related links.
Misplace or break your phone? No cell signal? Have no fear. You can still text away with a computer via WiFi.
Texting from a laptop has its perks: it's (usually) free, typing is easier and faster, and best of all, you can look busy when you're not.
Here are five different ways you can text from your laptop.
1. Text through email
If you know your friend's phone number and cellphone provider, you can easily deliver a text through email.
Combine your recipient's 10 digit phone number with one of these popular domains:
AT&T: @text.att.net
Sprint: @messaging.sprintpcs.com
T-Mobile: @tmomail.net
Verizon: @vtext.com (or @vzwpix.com for photos and video)
For example, if the phone number is (123) 456-7890 and the owner's wireless carrier is AT&T, you would send an email to 1234567890@text.att.net.
Just put your text message into the body of the email, press send, and voila!
When he or she replies to your text, the message will go straight to your email's inbox. Keep in mind a longer email will be broken up into multiple text messages, and standard text message rates apply to recipients because the messages are sent as regular texts.
2. Text through your wireless carrier's website
Depending on what your wireless service provider is, you may be able to text other subscribers from your own carrier's website.
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If you have Verizon, you can sign into your My Verizon Account, where you can send and receive texts, photos, and videos. Verizon users can also download the desktop application for their computers through My Verizon.
You can do the same through a My AT&T account.
Take a look at what texting features your carrier offers for your desktop.
3. Text through Apple's iMessage
iMessage isn't just for iPhones.
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The Messages app can be used to send iMessages from a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Simply open up the Messages app, type in your recipient's phone number (or Apple ID), and you'll be able to write your message and send it off.
As long as Messages on your Mac is set up to receive texts from both your Apple ID and phone number, you should be able to text to both iPhones and other kinds of phones via the app.
4. Text through a free SMS website
If you search the web, you'll find a ton of free unlimited SMS websites that will allow you to text internationally. Some free texting messaging sites are Send SMS Now, A Free SMS, and Txt2day.
But these websites have their downsides. In some cases, depending on the website, you won't be able to receive responses directly on the website. You might have to provide an email address to receive responses. And some sites may even require you to sign up and register to see responses.
Then, there's the sketch factor. You may be bombarded with advertisements while using these sites, which allow these services to run for free.
5. Text through Google Voice
Unlike some of the ways listed above, you can send and receive text messages with Google Voice without knowing the recipient's carrier. This software gives you the option to choose a brand new number, free of charge, or use your existing mobile number.
However, Google Voice only allows you to send and receive text messages to phone numbers in the U.S. and Canada.
Besides texting, Google Voice has other features, such as calling, voicemail, call blocking, and transcribing your voicemail messages to text.
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This story was originally published in 2014 and updated in 2018.