Enhance Productivity: Use Your Laptop as a Second Monitor on Windows and macOS

If you frequently find yourself juggling multiple applications on your PC, you know how valuable extra screen real estate can be. But what if you don't want to splurge on a second monitor? Fortunately, if you have a laptop lying around, it can easily step into the role of a secondary display. Here’s an engaging guide to setting this up on both Windows and macOS systems.

Discovering a Hidden Gem in Windows 11​

Setting Up Your Windows Laptop as a Wireless Display​

Windows 11 includes a nifty feature called Connect, enabling you to use your laptop as a wireless display, provided it supports Miracast. Here’s how you can make this happen:

1. Open the 'Settings' App on your laptop that will serve as the second monitor.
2. Navigate to 'System' and scroll down to 'Optional features'. In some older versions of Windows, this may be found under 'Apps and Features'.
3. Click on 'View features' next to 'Add an optional feature'.
4. Locate 'Wireless display' in the list and check the box next to it.
5. Click 'Next', then click 'Add'.

Once installed, you’ll find the Wireless Display app, sometimes still referred to as Connect, in your Start menu.

Making the Connection​

With the app ready, follow these steps to link your devices:

• Open the Wireless Display app on your laptop.
• On your main computer, press Windows + K to summon the search for wireless displays. Select your laptop’s name from the list.
• After the connection is established, you can choose to extend your display by selecting the 'Extend' option in the connection flyout.

Note: While this method works seamlessly for many, keep in mind that wireless connections can sometimes introduce lag or other glitches, so the experience may vary based on your network's stability.

Simplifying Future Connections​

To make connecting easier in the future, you can adjust your laptop’s projection settings:

• In the Settings app, go to 'System' > 'Projecting to this PC'.
• From the dropdown under 'Some Windows and Android devices can project to this PC when you say it's OK', choose 'Available everywhere' or 'Available everywhere on secure networks'. Just remember that allowing this might expose your laptop to connection attempts from others.

For the Mac Users—AirPlay to Expand Your Workspace​

If you own a Mac and another MacBook, you can utilize AirPlay Display to make one act as a second screen. Just ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and logged in with the same Apple ID. Here’s how:

1. On your main Mac, click on the Control Center located in the menu bar.
2. Select Screen Mirroring.
3. Choose your secondary Mac from the available options.

Alternatively, navigate to the Apple menu and select Displays, then click on 'Add Display' to find the other Mac listed.

Final Thoughts—Boosting Productivity in Style​

Using your laptop as a second monitor is not just a makeshift solution—it's a practical way to enhance your productivity. Whether you’re juggling spreadsheets, expanding your workspace for creative projects, or simply need more room for videos and chats, taking advantage of these built-in features on Windows and macOS can be a game-changer.
Embrace the additional real estate and explore how it can transform your work from home or office environment into a much more functional space. So, the next time you're feeling cramped on your single screen setup, remember that your trusty laptop is just waiting in the wings to help you out!

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This rundown on utilizing your laptop as a second monitor highlights efficient and cost-effective ways to manage your workload. Next time you feel constrained by a single-screen setup, a simple setup can lend you the extra space you need for improved multitasking.
So, Windows users, have you already tried pairing your laptop with your main device? What was your experience like? Feel free to share your thoughts and let's discuss how we can all work smarter!
Source: XDA How you can use your laptop as a second monitor for your PC