What You Need for a Desktop-Style Setup
You do not need all of these — start with what matters most to you.
- External monitor: the biggest quality-of-life improvement. A 24-inch monitor gives you much more screen space than a laptop screen.
- External keyboard: a full-size keyboard is more comfortable for extended typing.
- External mouse: more precise and comfortable than a trackpad for most tasks.
- Docking station or USB hub: lets you connect multiple accessories with a single cable to your laptop.
- Laptop stand: raises your laptop screen to eye level if you want to use both screens.
Tip: If you can only add one thing, add an external monitor. The increase in screen space makes the biggest difference for productivity.
Connecting an External Monitor
Most laptops can connect to an external monitor using HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C.
- 1Check what ports your laptop has. Look for HDMI (a wide, trapezoidal port), DisplayPort (similar shape), or USB-C/Thunderbolt ports.
- 2Check what ports your monitor has. Most monitors have HDMI; newer ones may also have DisplayPort or USB-C.
- 3Connect the appropriate cable between your laptop and monitor.
- 4If your laptop only has USB-C and your monitor only has HDMI, you need a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
- 5Turn on the monitor. Your laptop should detect it automatically.
Setting Up Your Display (Windows)
Once the monitor is connected, you can choose how to use it.
- 1Right-click the desktop and select Display settings.
- 2You will see both screens represented as numbered rectangles.
- 3Under Multiple displays, choose your preferred mode:
- 4Extend these displays: your desktop spreads across both screens. This is the most productive option.
- 5Duplicate these displays: both screens show the same thing. Useful for presentations.
- 6Show only on 1 or Show only on 2: use just one screen.
- 7Drag the screen rectangles to match the physical arrangement of your screens.
Setting Up Your Display (Mac)
Mac handles external monitors through System Settings.
- 1Connect the monitor to your Mac.
- 2Open System Settings → Displays.
- 3Click Arrangement.
- 4Drag the display rectangles to match the physical arrangement.
- 5To set one display as the main display (where the menu bar appears), drag the white bar to that display.
Using a Docking Station
A docking station connects to your laptop with a single cable and provides multiple ports — HDMI, USB, Ethernet, audio, and more. It is the cleanest way to set up a desktop-style workstation.
- USB-C/Thunderbolt docking stations: connect with a single USB-C cable and can charge your laptop at the same time. These are the most versatile.
- USB-A docking stations: connect via USB-A and provide additional USB ports, HDMI, and audio. Less powerful but works with older laptops.
- Brand-specific docks: Dell, HP, and Lenovo make docks designed for their specific laptop models that provide the most reliable connection.
Tip: A good docking station lets you connect your monitor, keyboard, mouse, Ethernet cable, and charger all at once. When you sit down at your desk, you plug in one cable. When you leave, you unplug one cable.
Using Your Laptop in Clamshell Mode
Clamshell mode means closing your laptop lid and using only the external monitor. This works well if you have a docking station or if your laptop is plugged in.
- 1Connect your laptop to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
- 2On Windows: go to Settings → System → Power & sleep → Additional power settings → Choose what closing the lid does. Set "When I close the lid" to Do nothing (when plugged in).
- 3On Mac: simply close the lid while connected to an external monitor and power — the Mac will continue running and use the external display.