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Simon Hill

Gear
Apr 15, 2022 7:00 AM


HOW TO SET UP MULTIPLE MONITORS AT YOUR DESK

Immerse yourself with a dual- or triple-screen setup, whether you're on Windows
or Mac.
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Photograph: imaginima/Getty Images

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Trying to boost your productivity with a second screen? Want more immersive
gaming sessions? Multiple monitors can help. Dual displays are great for
multitasking and are easy to set up, but there are a few things to consider
before you wade into a multiscreen world—whether you're on Windows or Mac. 

Be sure to check out our advice on how to use a second monitor or screen with
your laptop, and you can find recommendations for monitors, monitor arms, and
desks in our Home Office Gear guide.

> If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission.
> This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

How Many Monitors Can You Add?

Most computers can run dual monitors. But if you want to add a third screen or
use two 4K monitors, check that your device is capable first.



Windows: The presence of several ports on your graphics card indicates it can
likely handle multiple monitors. But you should check the maximum number of
supported displays and resolutions. (You can see what graphics card you have by
typing Device Manager into the Search bar, opening it, and then expanding
Display adapters.) Visit the manufacturer’s website to find the specifications
for your graphics card, and look for a section titled Display Support or
something similar that will list this info.

Mac: If you're adding monitors to a Mac, click on the Apple icon > About This
Mac and double-click your serial number, then tap Command-C on your keyboard to
copy it, go to Apple's website, and paste it into search. Click on Support to
find the Technical Specifications and search for Video Support.

What Size Screen Should You Get?

You can mix and match the types of screens you have at your workstation, though
you'll likely want some consistency. The most common monitor size is 24 inches,
but 27-inch screens are increasingly popular. Having the same size screens will
be nice for symmetry. Just keep an eye on resolution when you buy. A 1080p
screen on a 27-inch monitor might look too fuzzy. 



We dive into orientation and arrangements below, but consider different types of
screen arrangements. My current preference is a 34-inch ultrawide screen paired
with a 27-inch screen in portrait orientation. As the name suggests, ultrawides
are really wide and can deliver the experience of two screens, minus the
screen's bezel in between. Pairing it with a screen in portrait mode means you
get enough space on the ultrawide to run two full-size browser windows side by
side, plus a vertical screen on the side for apps that benefit from it, like
Slack and email. 

Stands and VESA Mounts

Monitors come with a wide assortment stand designs. If you are going with the
stand that comes in the box, check the measurements on the product page to
ensure it'll fit nicely on your desk. 

Alternatively, you can mount your screen to your desk and get rid of the stand,
freeing up a lot of space. (You can also freely move your screen to various
angles and positions.) Many displays support the VESA mount system. There are
different sizes, and monitor arms have a screen size range and maximum weight
they can support. Always check whether the monitor's product page mentions VESA
support, and note the VESA mount size. When you buy an arm mount, make sure it
supports the screen size and weight of your new screen. 

Ports and Cables

To get the most from your computer and monitors, you'll need to think about
which ports and cables to use. For Windows PCs, your choice is often HDMI vs.
DisplayPort. Unfortunately, this isn’t as straightforward as you might expect.
There are several versions of each connection type, each with different
capabilities. For example, HDMI 2.1 supports up to 8K resolution at 120 Hz,
DisplayPort 1.4 can deliver 8K at 60 Hz, and HDMI 2.0 is limited to 4K at 60 Hz.

For laptops, you might be looking at Thunderbolt, Mini DisplayPort, or even
USB-C. Sometimes you will need an adapter or USB hub to connect an external
monitor.



Check the technical specifications for your graphics card and monitor to find
the best option for you. Remember that the card, monitor, and cable (and any
adapters) you use must support the same technology and the same version.
High-end monitors usually come with a selection of cables in the box, but some
manufacturers annoyingly provide a single option that might not match the
monitor’s top capability.

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It pays to do a little homework when shopping for HDMI cables, or any cable for
that matter. Choose those with proper certification from the relevant bodies for
DisplayPort, HDMI, Thunderbolt, or USB. If a cable is certified, it will deliver
a certain level of performance, but there will likely be differences in
durability and warranty. Don’t just grab the cheapest one that supports your
chosen version. Read the reviews and make sure there are no issues. 



For example, DisplayPort cables typically have a mechanical latch that prevents
them from being tugged out easily. I have had terrible trouble with cheap
DisplayPort cables getting stuck in ports. This one has worked well for me, and
we recommend this HDMI cable in our guide on choosing the right TV. I also
recommend measuring, rather than estimating, the length of cable you need before
you buy, particularly if you use a standing desk. 

Arrangement and Orientation

Windows via Simon Hill

With your monitors and cables plugged in and ready to go, it's time to fire up
your computer. Your new monitor will probably be recognized automatically, but
you will want to tinker with the settings. Here’s how:



Windows: Right-click on your desktop and choose Display Settings (you can also
click Start > Settings > System > Display). You should see your displays
numbered here, and you can click on Identify to see which is which. If your new
display hasn’t turned up, try clicking Detect. You can simply click and drag
your displays in this view to position them the way you want and match their
physical orientation. Doing so will make it feel much more natural when you move
your mouse from one screen to the other. Scroll down for options to set the main
display, tweak resolutions, change orientation, and more.

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You can also access these settings and sometimes more on a Windows computer by
opening your graphics control panel (Nvidia Control Panel or AMD Radeon
Settings, for example).

Mac: Click the Apple icon > System Preferences > Displays, and on your main
display, click Arrangement. Click and drag displays into the position you want,
matching their physical orientation. If you can’t see your new display, click
the Detect Displays button (press the Option key if you don't see it). You will
want to choose Extend Display (there is a Mirror Display option, too). That
should be it, although you can change the resolution by selecting the Scaled
option and choosing the one you want.

Tips for Multiple Monitors

Windows via Simon Hill

Here are a few final tips to help you get the most from your dream multiple
monitor setup.

 * Experiment with display settings in Windows or MacOS, or via your graphics
   card control panel, to try to match up the brightness and color settings for
   your monitors.
 * Windows will automatically extend your task bar across your monitors, but you
   can tweak its appearance and behavior. Right-click the task bar, and
   choose Taskbar settings to make changes. If you scroll down, there’s
   a Multiple displays section.
 * With an expanse of screen, it can feel like you are dragging your mouse for
   ages, so study these handy keyboard shortcuts to make your life easier.
 * A wallpaper to display across your monitors can tie everything together
   nicely. On Windows, find and save a high-resolution wallpaper or photo you
   want to use and then right-click on the desktop and choose Personalize.
   Choose your picture and then select the Fit you want (Span is usually best
   for multiple monitors). On Macs, you'll have to cut the images up and apply
   them to each screen, or you can use an app like Fresco.
 * If you find that you keep losing your mouse pointer, you can find it by
   pressing the CTRL key on a Windows computer (if it doesn’t work, go
   to Settings > Devices > Mouse > Additional mouse options > Pointer Options,
   and tick the box that says Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL
   key). On a Mac, just rapidly and continuously move your mouse (or finger on a
   trackpad) back and forth, left to right, and the pointer will grow bigger.

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Simon Hill has been writing about tech for more than a decade. He is a regular
contributor for WIRED, but you can also find his work at Business Insider,
Reviewed, TechRadar, Android Authority, USA Today, Digital Trends, and many
other places. Before writing, he worked in games development. He lives... Read
more
Contributor
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TopicsdisplaysWindowsMacPCshow-totipslaptopsAccessories and Peripherals


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