
- #CAN I CONNECT 2 COMPUTERS WITH HDMI HOW TO#
- #CAN I CONNECT 2 COMPUTERS WITH HDMI DRIVER#
- #CAN I CONNECT 2 COMPUTERS WITH HDMI PC#
Meanwhile, Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1080 cards installed in PCs can support up to four simultaneous monitor connections with 3,840 x 2,160 resolutions. For instance, the Intel Core i7-6820HK processor in our Alienware 17 R4 includes the integrated HD Graphics 530 component that can only handle three displays at one time, one of which is the laptop’s screen. With laptops, your ability to add displays is limited.
#CAN I CONNECT 2 COMPUTERS WITH HDMI DRIVER#
Limited connections due to driver compatibility In that case, adding more than a single display could be tricky - you’d have to fall back on trying to use the USB ports with an adapter or dock. A different laptop, like a budget notebook, might include just one HDMI port. The Alienware is a gaming laptop, however. Technically, it’s also possible to connect displays through the USB ports, but that’s uncommon, and you’ll need an adapter or dock to do it. Other, more modern laptops like Apple’s MacBook Pro, also connect to displays with USB-C, or Thunderbolt 3.īut, our laptop includes three ways to connect external displays: Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort, and HDMI. The laptop also includes a Thunderbolt 3 port supporting DisplayPort video output, and three USB 3.1 Gen1 ports. For instance, our Dell Alienware 17 R4 includes one full-sized HDMI connector, and a smaller, compact version of the DisplayPort connector (aka Mini DisplayPort). Compatibility with notebooksīecause of their form factor, you will have a limited number of video outputs. It’s the most common connector on modern discrete graphics solutions, beating out even HDMI.Īs an example of an add-in card’s output, Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1080 includes three DisplayPort connectors, one HDMI connector, and a DVI connector (see above). The connector is mostly rectangular save for a slight “dent” in the bottom left corner. It was designed to replace VGA and DVI, and is backwards compatible with both, along with HDMI.
#CAN I CONNECT 2 COMPUTERS WITH HDMI PC#
They’re likely also to include a fourth port type - one which is standard on high-end PC monitors.ĭisplayPort: This digital video output was created by Dell for extremely high resolutions. If the PC has a graphics card, ignore the I/O panel and connect your displays to the ports on the video card. They’ll be located below the motherboard I/O port on the back of your desktop. Meanwhile, discrete graphics cards installed in desktops have their ports that can rely on any of the standards noted above. Connecting with discrete graphics (such as AMD and Nvidia) In the case, you’ll probably need an adapter or mini-HDMI to HDMI cable.


Most computers use the regular Type-A port, but on rare occasions, you’ll see a laptop with a smaller version.

The standard Type-A port is mostly rectangular save for a slight dip on the lower half. It serves as an all-in-one output for both digital video and audio, so you’re only dealing with one cable. High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI): The most common video output on the mainstream market. To figure out what version you have installed, the diagrams are located here. There are five versions of DVI, including DVI-I that combines digital and analog, DVI-D that’s digital only, and DVI-A that’s analog only. VGA can’t carry audio.ĭigital Video Interface (DVI): This port is typically yellow and rectangular, and shoves all pin seats to the right. This port handles analog video only and is the oldest video output of the trio. Video Graphics Array (VGA): This is typically blue, features 15 holes, and has a screw on each side to secure the attached cable. Typically, motherboards include three types of video output to cover the vast assortment of monitors and technologies spanning the last 10 years. This area is typically called the I/O panel, as shown above, and consists of a handful of connectors that are grouped for audio output, peripheral input, networking, and so on. In a desktop, video output generated by integrated graphics is piped through ports mounted on the motherboard that protrude through their designated holes at the back of the case. The first factor you need to determine is what type of graphics component you have inside your desktop or laptop.
#CAN I CONNECT 2 COMPUTERS WITH HDMI HOW TO#
This guide walks you through how to set up dual monitors in Windows 10. Toggling is time-consuming and can make you lose your train of thought.ĭual monitors allow you to see the bigger picture when looking at multiple spreadsheets and documents. Your life is much simpler when you no longer have to switch back and forth between tabs on a single screen.

Having dual monitors can be immensely helpful for productivity.
