--- title: "Setting Up a Laptop as a Secondary Display" url: https://newscentral.site/setting-up-a-laptop-as-a-secondary-display/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Technology" published: 2026-11-09T01:30:00.000Z updated: 2026-11-09T06:44:06.325Z id: 73915454-5400-43a0-a6ed-46a5b86d47f8 source: "Engadget https://www.engadget.com/2309277/how-to-use-laptop-second-desktop-monitor/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/setting-up-a-laptop-as-a-secondary-display/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Setting Up a Laptop as a Secondary Display Using an old laptop as a secondary display can boost productivity and multitasking capabilities. Adding a second monitor to your setup can significantly boost productivity and multitasking capabilities. Whether you're gaming, working or simply browsing, having an extra screen at your disposal can be a game-changer for presentations, web browsing and more. One way to achieve this is by repurposing an old laptop as a secondary display. If you have a spare laptop lying around the house, you might be able to use it without needing to invest in new hardware. However, making this work requires some adjustments on your system's settings. To start, check if your computer is compatible with this setup and consider whether you want to go for wired or wireless connectivity options. You'll need to tweak some settings on your system to ensure a smooth display extension or mirroring experience. The process involves checking the compatibility of your laptop as a secondary monitor, which can be done by following specific steps for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems. Additionally, you may want to explore wired options via HDMI connections to see what works best for your setup. To get started, you'll need to decide on the type of connection you prefer - whether it's wireless or wired via an HDMI cable. This will determine the next steps in configuring your laptop as a secondary display and getting everything up and running smoothly. To set up your laptop as a secondary display using Windows 10 or 11, you'll need to enable Miracast on both devices. This built-in wireless casting tool allows connections between devices via Wi-Fi and requires minimal setup. On the spare laptop, navigate to Settings > System > Projecting to this PC. From there, select Optional features, then View features, before adding Wireless Display by selecting it from the list. Once installed, return to the same page and configure Wireless Display to be available for use everywhere. The next step is to open the Wireless Display app on your spare laptop. This will prepare both devices for wireless connection. Ensure that Wi-Fi is enabled on both machines, as this method relies on a stable internet connection between them. With everything set up, you can now connect your main computer to your spare laptop using Miracast. Press the Windows key + K on your main computer to access available displays, select your spare laptop from the list, and enter the PIN required for authentication. This will establish a wireless connection allowing keyboard and mouse input between devices. Once connected, you can choose to mirror or extend your display by selecting the appropriate option using Windows key + P. Keep in mind that this method may experience some lag, making it less suitable for gaming. To establish a connection between two MacBooks, both devices must be compatible and signed into the same Apple ID. The MacBook in use as the second screen must have AirPlay Receiver enabled, which can be found under System Settings > General > AirDrop & Continuity. The primary device should also be configured to allow AirPlay, with the user selecting "Current User from the options listed under Allow AirPlay for. On the secondary device, users can choose between mirroring or extended display by accessing settings. For connectivity between devices running different operating systems, a software solution is required. One option is Deskreen, a free and open-source tool that enables Wi-Fi connections between computers. To initiate a connection using Deskreen, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The user should then download and install the software on the main device, generating a QR code and URL for the spare laptop's browser. Once the secondary device has accessed the provided link, it will connect to the main device via Deskreen, with mirroring enabled by default. However, users seeking an extended display will need to invest in a virtual display adaptor or dummy plug" for their main computer's HDMI port. The use of software-based connections over Wi-Fi inevitably introduces some level of lag, making them less suitable for resource-intensive activities like gaming. To connect two laptops together using an HDMI connection, it's essential to note that most laptop HDMI ports are video-out only. This means plugging two devices together directly won't allow for display extension or mirroring. A solution is to use an HDMI-to-USB video capture card, which can be plugged into both laptops. The main device's HDMI cable goes into the card, while the USB end of the card connects to the spare laptop. The capture card functions as a webcam, enabling users to view the feed through their laptop's camera app or a free video app like OBS Studio. This setup is not limited to general use; it can also be applied for gaming purposes. Gamers can connect a PlayStation or Nintendo Switch console to their laptop using this method. Although there may be some lag, it is typically less than what occurs with Wi-Fi-based connections and unlikely to affect casual gamers. The versatility of repurposing an old laptop extends beyond these uses; it can also serve as a smart home hub. --- Source: [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2309277/how-to-use-laptop-second-desktop-monitor/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/setting-up-a-laptop-as-a-secondary-display/