Can I Hook a Desktop Computer up to a Laptop Monitor?
- 1). Connect a monitor to the VGA port on the back of your laptop. While this does not allow you to use your laptop as a second monitor for your desktop computer it does allow you to use your desktop monitor as a second monitor for your laptop. This will allow you to have two monitors, using both your desktop and laptop computers, even if they are in a different configuration.
There will be a function-key combination on your laptop that you press to switch between monitors or to use both at once. Check your laptop manual to see which keys to hit. In Windows, go to the Control Panel and choose "Appearance and Personalization" then "Display" and next "Screen resolution." In this setting you can select the desktop monitor to extend your desktop onto both monitors. - 2). Connect a video adapter. You can connect a USB or FireWire adapter cable that will convert a signal from another type of output such as VGA, RCA or some other type of cable. Plug the video cable that converts the signal into the desktop video card with the appropriate connection and plug the USB or FireWire end into the laptop's USB or FireWire input. Download a program such as VLC Media Player to watch the video on the laptop. While this won't let you use the laptop in the same way as you would a second monitor, you will see the desktop's display in the laptop through the player. It will be a mirror of what you see on the desktop, though, instead of an extended workspace.
- 3). Replace your desktop video card with a video card that has two or more VGA or other monitor input connections. Doing this will allow for two or more monitors to be used. This will allow you two have two monitors easily, even though one cannot be your laptop. The reason most people want to use their laptop as a second monitor is that it seems easy, but this is actually the easiest way to connect two monitors.
Alternatively, you may want to connect your desktop to a laptop monitor because you don't have a monitor at all or don't have an LCD monitor. Since you can't connect to the laptop, the easiest thing you can do is to buy a new monitor.
