Optional: Drag the “white bar” (menu bar) from the first monitor image to the second one if you want it to become the main default display with all the controls.Go to “Display Preferences” and select “Arrangement.” By doing so, you will be able to freely move the icons around so that you can determine where you want your monitors in terms of configuration.Click on the button that says “Gather Windows.” When you click this button, your main screen will show you icons for both monitors that are now connected to your system, the one on the laptop and the externally connected one.Click on the first icon in the second row, titled “Displays,” which comes in the form of a stylized monitor.First of all, you need to go to “System Preferences” represented by a grey icon with gears in the top-left section of your screen.If the second monitor mirrors the first, but you want it to extend your display, you must go into the settings and options menu. Once your battle with cables and adapters is successfully resolved, you can get down to the actual business of setting up dual monitors on your Mac laptop.īy default, your second monitor will be set as the one that runs on the right side of your desktop configuration. There are also similar devices that deal with VGA instead of HDMI. Purchasing a simple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter might be the proper solution to all your troubles as it can handle connections with HDMI, USB-A, and USB-C devices.

Usually, all you need is a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter.Ĭables and adapters can really turn into a nightmare, but you really should keep in mind that there are several other options available, which rely on the USB-C ports that we’ve grown accustomed to on our Mac devices. In that case, it won’t have an HDMI input, so you will have to deal with DVI or VGA adapters.

Perhaps the monitor that you want to connect to your Mac is an older one. The easiest way to connect a non-Apple monitor to a Mac laptop that doesn’t feature an HDMI port is to use an adapter that converts HDMI to Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt, depending on your machine. Most Macbook Pro laptops feature Thunderbolt 2 or 3 ports, along with a couple of USB ports. If your Mac is one of the latest models, it may not feature an HDMI port, in which case you will have to try using several other connections. The easiest way to connect a non-Apple monitor to your Mac is by using an HDMI cable because most Mac laptops and non-Apple monitors come equipped with such ports.

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