Simple Steps to Convert Your PC Laptop or MacBook to a Desktop

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Make your old laptop function as a desktop PC
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Do you have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and an old laptop? If so, you can build a compact desktop PC by transforming that old laptop and boosting its utility. This wikiHow teaches you how to use your laptop as a desktop computer.

Quick Steps

  1. Connect a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to your laptop's ports or a hub.
  2. Open the Windows Settings menu and click Display .
  3. Select "Duplicate" for multiple displays.
  4. Open the Control Panel.
  5. Click Hardware and Sound > Power Options .
  6. Click Chose what closing the lid does and select "Do Nothing."
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Connecting a Monitor, Keyboard, and Other Devices

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  1. Different laptops require different display cables to connect to monitors. Check your laptop for the following display ports: [1]
    • HDMI: HDMI is the most common display connection. HDMI cables have a metal plug on both ends. The plug is about 14mm x 4.5mm with two notches on the bottom corners.
    • Mini-HDMI: Mini-HDMI plugs and ports are the same shape as HDMI plugs and ports but slightly smaller at 10.4mm x 2.4mm. If your laptop has a Mini-HDMI port and your monitor does not, you will need a Mini-HDMI-to-HDMI cable or a Mini-HDMI-to-HDMI adapter with an HDMI cable.
    • Micro-HDMI: Micro-HDMI plugs and ports are the same shape as HDMI and mini-HDMI ports and plugs, except they are smaller at 6.4mm x 2.8mm. If your laptop has a micro-HDMI port and your monitor does not, you will need a micro-HDMI-to-HDMI cable or a micro-HDMI-to-HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable.
    • USB-C: Many newer laptops have USB-C outputs instead of an HDMI output. USB-C ports are oval-shaped and measure about 8.4mm x 2.6mm. If your laptop has a USB-C port and your monitor does not, you will need a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable to connect your monitor to your computer. [2]
    • Thunderbolt: Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 connections are commonly found on MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops. The port has a lightning bolt icon next to it. Thunderbolt 1 & 2 ports are rectangle-shaped with two notches on the bottom corners. Thunderbolt 3 & 4 ports are shaped like a USB-C port and have a lightning bolt next to them. If your MacBook has a Thunderbolt 1 or 2 port and your monitor does not, you will need a thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable to connect your MacBook to your monitor. If your MacBook has a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 output, you can connect it to a monitor using a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter. [3] [4]
    • Mini-Display Port: Mini-display ports are found on older MacBook and MacBook Pro models. Mini-display ports have the same shape as thunderbolt ports but are not the same. Mini-display ports have an icon that resembles a rectangle with two lines on both sides next to it. If your MacBook has a mini-display port and your monitor does not, you will need a mini-display-port-to-HDMI adapter and HDMI cable to connect your MacBook to your monitor.
    • DVI: DVI ports are used on older laptops and computers. They are about an inch wide with 24 holes for the 24 pins on the connector. DVI ports are video-only outputs. You will need to connect your computer speakers using a separate audio connection. If your laptop has a DVI port and your monitor does not, you will need a DVI-to-HDMI adapter to connect your computer to your monitor. [5]
    • VGA: VGA connections are used on older computer models. A VGA port has 15 holes for the 15 pins on a VGA connector. VGA connections are video-only. You will need a separate audio connection to connect your computer speakers. These are typically used on older, low-resolution monitors. You will need a VGA-to-HDMI adapter to connect a VGA port to a modern computer monitor.
  2. In addition to a display connection, you'll probably want to connect external speakers for a better audio listening experience. The following are some audio connections your laptop may support:
    • HDMI: In addition to transmitting video signals, HDMI cables can also transmit audio signals. This will work best if you have a monitor that has built-in speakers. You can also connect an HDMI cable to a stereo or surround sound receiver and then to a monitor or television screen.
    • 3mm Headphone Jack: Most laptops have a 3mm headphone jack that you can use to connect a set of desktop speakers. It's a small hole with an icon that resembles headphones next to it.
    • USB: Many audio devices, such as wireless headphones, connect to your computer using a wireless USB dongle. If your laptop doesn't have a 3mm headphone jack, you can purchase a USB adapter to connect speakers to your computer.
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  3. To use your laptop as a desktop computer, you will need to connect several devices to it. If your laptop doesn't have enough ports to connect a monitor, keyboard, and other devices at the same time, you can connect a USB hub to a [Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed|USB 3.0 or higher USB port]]. A USB 3.0 or higher port often has a USB logo next to it with the letters "SS" in the logo for Super Speed.
  4. Some of the things you will need to turn your laptop into a desktop computer include:
    • A charger: To use your desktop as a laptop, it must stay powered on indefinitely.
    • A monitor: Most laptops have small screens. Any size monitor will do.
    • A keyboard: When you use your laptop as a desktop computer, you will operate it with the lid closed. You'll need an external keyboard to operate the computer. Plus, you can generally find a better quality external keyboard than your laptop's built-in keyboard.
    • A mouse: While the lid is closed on your laptop, you cannot access the trackpad.
    • A display cable (and adapter if needed): You will need a cable to connect an external monitor to your laptop. Make sure you get the appropriate cable that fits your laptop and monitor. If your monitor does not take the same type of video cable as your laptop, you can get an adapter.
    • A USB hub or docking station: Since your laptop probably has a minimum number of USB ports, you will most likely need a USB hub to connect all your external devices.
    • A surge protector: You will need a power source to plug in your laptop, monitor, and external speakers. A surge protector will allow you to plug everything in and protect your devices from power surges and lightning strikes.
  5. If your keyboard and mouse connect via USB, plug them into available USB ports.
    • If you are using a USB hub to connect your devices, plug the USB hub into a USB 3.0 port and then connect your keyboard to the USB hub.
    • If your mouse or keyboard connects using Bluetooth, you will need to pair your mouse with your laptop.
  6. Use the proper display cable to connect your laptop to your monitor. Connect one end of the cable to the monitor and then connect the other end to the adapter.
    • If you are connecting your monitor via a USB port, you will need to connect it to a USB 3.0 or USB-C port. A USB hub will most likely not be able to handle all the bandwidth of all your devices and an HD (or higher) monitor.
  7. If you have a regular set of desktop speakers, connect them to the 3mm headphone jack or a USB adapter.
    • If you want to use a surround sound receiver with your laptop, connect the HDMI cable from the laptop to the "HDMI In" port on your receiver, then use a separate HDMI cable to connect from the "HDMI Out" port on your receiver to the monitor.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Using a Windows Laptop

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  1. Use the following steps to open the display settings in Windows:
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click the Settings/Gear icon.
    • Click System .
    • Click Display .
  2. If you are using a Windows 11 laptop, click the Multiple Displays to expand the menu.
  3. Most of the time Windows will detect a connected monitor automatically. If it does not, scroll down and click Detect in the Display Settings menu. [6]
  4. On Windows 10, use the drop-down menu below "Multiple Displays" to select "Duplicate." This ensures your monitor displays the same thing as your laptop screen. On Windows 11, the drop-down menu is in the display diagram at the top of the menu.
    • Alternatively, you can select Extend to use your monitor as a dual display setup. However, some laptops may not have the processing power for a dual display.
  5. Use the following steps to open the Control Panel in Windows:
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Type "Control Panel".
    • Click Control Panel in the Windows Start menu.
  6. Use the following steps to navigate to the Power Options in Control Panel:
    • Click Hardware and Sound .
    • Click Power Options .
  7. It's in the panel to the left.
  8. You can select this option for both "On Battery" and "While Plugged In". This lets you close your laptop and continue using it with your monitor as the primary display.
  9. This saves settings and lets you operate your laptop on an external display with the lid closed.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Using a Mac

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  1. It's in the upper-left corner. This displays the Apple menu.
  2. It's the second option in the Apple menu. This displays the System Settings menu.
  3. On newer macOS versions, it's in the menu bar to the left. On older macOS versions, it has an icon resembling a computer monitor.
  4. Your Macbook should detect your computer monitor automatically. If it does not, hold the Option (or Alt key) and click Detect Display in the lower-right corner to detect your monitor.
  5. You should see two monitors in the display diagram. Control-click your secondary monitor in the display diagram.
  6. This will set your secondary monitor to mirror the same image that is displayed on your MacBook.
  7. It's at the bottom of the Display menu.
  8. This will prevent your Mac from hibernating when the MacBook display is turned off.
  9. Once you have an external display connected to your MacBook, you can close it and continue to use it on the external display. This is called clamshell mode. [7]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can you use a HDMI cable instead of a VGA?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Just get out your HDMI cable and plug one end to the laptop. And plug the other end to a monitor, as long as your monitor has a HDMI port. If it does not, maybe try converting a VGA or DVI port to HDMI.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/audio-video/hdmi/hdmi-connectors.php
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FQqINzRNBk
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201736
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207266
      5. ↑ https://www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_info.html
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-up-dual-monitors-on-windows-10-3d5c15dc-cc63-d850-aeb6-b41778147554
      7. ↑ https://cleanmymac.com/blog/use-mac-clamshell-mode

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Check the display connection on your laptop and monitor.
      2. Plug your laptop and monitor in.
      3. Connect the mouse and keyboard to your laptop.
      4. Connect the laptop to the monitor using an HDMI cable or HDMI cable and adapter.
      5. Power on your computer and log in.
      6. Click Windows Start followed by the Gear icon.
      7. Click System followed by Display in the panel to the left.
      8. Click Detect and set "Multiple Displays" to "Duplicate".
      9. Open the Control Panel.
      10. Click Hardware and Sound followed by Power Options .
      11. Click Choose what closing the lid does .
      12. Set the laptop to "Do nothing" when the lid is closed.

      Did this summary help you?
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