What you need to set up dual or multiple monitors for virtual school

Everything You Need for a Dual or Multiple Monitor Setup for Home School or Virtual Online Classes

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of students are now doing their best to adapt to a brand new learning environment. It is imperative that students are equipped with everything they need for successful online learning. eLearning is changing the way students learn and share information. Chances are your child already has a laptop provided by the school. New laptop programs are being instituted in public schools around the country. Running dual monitors can add some serious efficiencies to online learning. Student can bounce between both the small laptop screen to a bigger size monitor screen.

If you are thinking of getting another monitor for your laptop, desktop or workstation, we list all your options for a multiple monitor setup. From what to look for on your laptop and desktop to support multiple monitors to adapters and accessories to help you achieve your multi screen dream.

Pick the Right Monitor

For online classes, a general monitor used to run Microsoft Office applications, web browsers, or computer programs will do the job. Unless you need the monitor for intense graphic lessons or gaming, there is no need for heavy graphics processing capability. Your PC won’t need any high-end specs or up-to-date upgrades to properly utilize these standard monitors.

Here are our picks on top monitors for online learning!

Determine your laptop's video output options

Laptop Output Options

It is very easy to start a dual or multiple monitor setup for laptops. Simply connect a second display to the available video output port and you are good to go. There are a few main types of connections that your laptop may have:

HDMI
DisplayPort
VGA or DVI. These ports are only found on older computers.
USB-C or Thunderbolt 3
Mini DisplayPort

HDMI

Display Port

USB-C

MINI DISPLAY PORT

VGA

Determine your monitors's video input is

monitor input

The most important ports on your monitor are the video-connection slots. In order to get any image content on your future display, you will need a video cable to plug from your desktop or laptop to your monitor. You can expect to find HDMI or DisplayPort inputs on the backs of most monitors. Older computer monitors may use a VGA or DVI cable connection.

HDMI

Display Port

VGA

DVI

Connect the cable to the video output on your laptop and to your monitor

The new monitor you buy usually comes with 1 or 2 cables you need. Note: new monitors often don’t come with a HDMI cable so you will need to buy one. If the monitor requires a different type of connection than is on your laptop, you'll need the right type of connector cable or an adapter to connect to your monitor. Some adapters only serve as a bridge between two cable types. For example a VGA-to-HDMI adapter will allow you to connect a VGA cable on one end, and an HDMI cable on the other. Common adapter cables include the following: