Hooking up a large monitor to a laptop

[ICIT2LOL]

Probably a really daft question but I just wondering how I can use my 17" HD gaming laptop with a decent sized monitor ie 23" one. Now I know how to plug it in etc but I cannot see how one would have just the larger monitor running while sitting in a look straight ahead position to use the keyboard

 

[GokAy]

By using an external keyboard I guess.

 

[alphanumeric]

If you set it to "Second Screen only" Can't remember what it says in Windows 7 "Projector only" maybe? Then close the lid on the laptop and use an external keyboard.

 

[GokAy]

Adding to the previous post, you will have to set the external monitor as main display (desktop-r.click-screen resolution) unless it is mirrored. By default it would extend(?). Full screen programs (games for example) run on the main display.

Closing the lid might put the laptop to sleep though, depends on how it is configured.

 

[alphanumeric]

Ops, forgot about lid close functions. I always set mine to "do nothing"

 

[alphanumeric]

If I go to "Second Screen only" in Windows 8.1, my taskbar moves over to that monitor automatically. Goes back to main laptop screen automatically again when I go back to extend. I have a portable USB external monitor hooked up to my laptop.

 

[GokAy]

Hmm, mine auto extends display to the external. Have only tried with hdmi to the TV though.

 

[alphanumeric]

My laptop auto extends to the second screen too. I have to manually select "second screen only" if I want that option.

 

[GokAy]

Alright, sorry for the confusion. I guess that is the same as "Show desktop on #" in Win7? I almost always extend the displays so I forgot about it totally.

There is also Win + P menu. Where you get:
- Computer only
- Duplicate
- Extend
- Projector only
choices. (To be honest, haven't used this myself.)

 

[alphanumeric]

I have shortcuts for Computer Only and Extend on my taskbar and Start Screen. On my desktop PC, when I game, I switch to Computer Only and just use my main display. When I'm done gaming I go back to Extend and my 3 monitor setup. I have the same shortcuts on my laptop but haven't had to use them. I don't game on it. I do believe if I power up without the second monitor connected everything just opens on the main screen. I'll have to shut down to confirm. I've only ben using this portable monitor for a couple of days and haven't seen all the ins and outs of using it.

EDIT: confirmed, it defaults to Computer Only if booted up without the second monitor connected.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm must admit I never thought of the external keyboard - glad I asked