Inside: Learn how to add a second monitor to a laptop, including what and where to buy, optional accessories, and even a third screen option.
Have you ever felt like your cursor was a ping pong ball? You keep bouncing between 2 or 3 tabs to get one task done and you’re starting to get dizzy.
The problem is, you are entering information on one tab, and getting all the info from another, so you have to keep bouncing back and fourth.
Or do you?
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How Do You Stop Playing Ping Pong With Your Tabs?
The solution is easy: add a monitor or two! That’s right, more monitors mean more work space. You can have the tab your typing into open in front of you, and the tab with the info you need off to the side on the second monitor.
You can even add a third monitor for more efficiency. It’s easier than you think, can be super portable, and you don’t even have to take out a second mortgage to afford it!
What’s the Point of Multiple Monitors?
Sure, you can do the split screen thing, but that cuts the screen view, and sometimes you need to see the whole view. Additional external displays give you a place to put those views you need to see.
Imagine having everything you need in front of you so you can glance from one item to the next, smooth as can be. Maybe you have your Zoom meeting on one screen, and you use the other to figure out what exactly that refence someone just made meant.
Or face your second monitor away from you so the person on the other side of the table can see the same thing as you. Or play a movie on that second screen and let the kiddo listen with headphones while you get work done at the same time, even when you’re not home!
Where To Buy a Second Monitor
A few weeks ago I got a second monitor from Mobile Pixels and I’ve fallen madly in love with it, They sent it to me to see if I thought you all might want to hear about it, and YES, you all want to hear about it!
Unlike using a desktop monitor as a secondary display, Mobile Pixels monitors are lightweight and perfect for travel. You can even get laptop sleeves and various other accessories from Mobile Pixels.
Get your Mobile Pixels Monitor(s) and other accessories HERE. Be sure to use coupon code NEWMP15 to get 15% off your first order!
Want an awesome sale? From September 26, 2022 to October 10, 2022, Mobile Pixels is having their Columbus Day Sale – Up to 40% off discount with Any dual/triple portable monitor Purchase at Mobile Pixels! You don’t want to miss that, do you?
I made a video showing off how easy it is to get started with the Mobile Pixels Duex Plus, and showing a few ways to use it. Note that the way I set it up is the same as when I first plugged it in. There’s not installation needed. You can also find this video on YouTube HERE.
How To Add a Second Monitor to a Laptop
This part is so easy with Mobile Pixels. Weather you have the Duex or Trio Series monitor, just plug it in and go!
The external monitors stay on the back of your screen adding very little thickness or weight to your laptop. To use them you plug them in and slide them out to the sides of your laptop.
Your monitor comes with one cable, which is all you need. The cable plugs into the monitor and the other end goes into a USB-A or USB-C port, which are the 2 most common ports on laptops. No HDMI port needed.
There is also the Glance Pro touch screen which stands on it’s own and has it’s own power source and speakers. The Glance Pro can pair with any laptop or device, including a Nintendo Switch and select Android phones, via USB-C or Mini-HDMI connection. It comes with:
- Glance Pro
- Mini-HDMI Cable
- USB-C Data Cable
- USB-C Power Cable
- Charger
- User Manual
- Magnetic Stand
How to Use A Second Monitor
Once you have plugged in the monitor, open it up and you can get to work. The first time you open it, you’re computer should detect it, but you may have to set your display settings.
On a Mac: click the Apple icon in the menu then System Preferences, then Displays.
On a PC/Windows: click Start (window icon in taskbar), Settings, System, Display – OR use the shortcuts keys: Window icon + P.
Once you have found your display settings, you can choose your display mode. Your laptop will default as your primary display. You can then choose if you want to use just one monitor (A, B, or C if you have a trio).
Another option is to duplicate your screen. I love this for when the kids want me to help them find something on Amazon or somewhere else online. I duplicate my screen and then fold it back behind my laptop. Then they can sit opposite from me and see what I see without hovering over me.
Lastly you can extend your screen, which is what I do the most. When I need to work with 2 tabs or apps, I open them both, then grab one and drag it over to the second screen. At that point I can use both tabs or apps without a ping pong cursor.
Other Awesome Accessories
Mobile Pixels has more than additional monitors. You can find other accessories HERE and below are a few I think are pretty nifty. So head on over to Mobile Pixels now and increase your productivity.
You can also find some informative articles on the Mobile Pixels Blog. Here are a few that stood out to me:
- 5 Home Office Upgrades to Boost Productivity
- The Top 3 Interactive Technology Tools for the Classroom
- Study Tools for College Students: The Top 7 Tech Study Gadgets
Watch me get all giddy in my unboxing video below. You can also see this video on YouTube HERE.
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