If you aren’t a tech genius but want to connect your MacBook to a monitor, you may require our help. Connecting your MacBook to a larger monitor or multiple monitors can enhance your gaming experience or make it easier to stream your favorite flicks. Whatever your reason is, we’re here to help. We have a guide to three different ways how to connect Macbook to monitor.
Read our guide to find out how to connect the devices, troubleshooting and maintenance tips, and even more handy information to make your gaming experience as awesome as possible.
Materials
- HDMI cable
- Port adaptor (depending on MacBook)
Steps to Connect MacBook to Monitor
There are three different ways you can potentially connect your MacBook to the monitor. We’ll discuss all of them below, so you have some options.
1. Port to Port
This method is where the HDMI cable and possibly port adaptor comes in. This method is more of a hardware situation, which can be more reassuring than connecting devices through the air.
Check that you have an HDMI port on your Mac. You can find out if you need an adaptor to connect the two devices.
2. AirPlay
The second method is to use AirPlay to stream your Mac to a monitor. This method can extend your MacBook’s screen or mirror it. You need either an Apple TV or an AirPlay 2–enabled smart TV for this to be possible.
3. Apple Silicon
Apple silicon is a technology that uses a special chip installed in your MacBook to connect to other devices. The connection uses an HDMI cable too, but the difference is you can stream up to four monitors at once from your Mac.
Troubleshooting
Turn Off Mac
If you use our port-to-port method and your monitor won’t turn on once connected to the laptop, turn off your Mac, and try again. This time, connect the Mac to the monitor while off. Then, turn it back on once connected.
Check Manufacturer Manual
Check your MacBook manual to see if Apple mentioned anything about connecting to a monitor with your specific MacBook model.
Check Wires and Cables
Make sure all cables are covered and free of damage. Make certain all ports are clear of debris, dust, and dirt.
Reset Screens
When in doubt, you can always try restarting both the Mac and the monitor to refresh their systems.
Test Outlets
Plug other devices that you know work into the outlets to ensure they function.
Reasons to Connect a Mac and Monitor
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If you’re wondering why someone may want to connect a Mac to a larger or multiple monitors, here are a few common reasons:
- Movies
- TV
- Intense Gaming
- Presentations
- Youtube
Other Tips
Here are some quick and easy tips to keep your devices in good shape and prevent possible roadblocks in connecting a mac and a monitor.
Dust Equipment
Regularly dust your devices and try to keep all ports and buttons free of dust, debris, and dirt.
Keep Software Updated
If you are one of those people that procrastinate on installing new software updates, no judgment we get it, try to break this habit. Keeping everything up-to-date will make tasks like this go smoother.
Don’t Eat
Not to be annoying, but we recommend you shouldn’t snack above your Mac. Crumbs and liquids can be a death sentence to a laptop, so eat before it’s time to game.
Best Gaming Chairs for Dual Screen
Now that you’ve got your monitor and Mac set up, we want to know what you’re sitting in. Many gamers don’t grasp the impact sitting for hours can have on your body. Luckily, there are incredible ergonomically designed chairs perfect for the dual-monitor (or more) gamer. Check out our top picks:
noblechairs Epic Black Edition
We love this chair for a myriad of reasons, one of them being that it uses vegan leather. It has a wide and curved backrest making it easy to lean and turn in different directions quickly. When the enemy is coming in from all sides, it’s vital to have good visibility. We just want to help you win!
Vitesse Recliner
Our last chair recommendation is less of a chair and more of a plush recliner. Unlike the other two, this one is fixed and can’t swivel. However, if your MacBook to monitor set-up is intended for movies, TV, or other casual viewings, this recliner doubles for relaxation and gaming.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, by the end of this, you got your MacBook streaming onto your desired monitor. Try all of our troubleshooting tips and tricks before giving up.
Connecting your MacBook to a monitor can open a world of new entertainment options that you didn’t have before. And if you’ve never thought to do this, we highly recommend it for gamers.
FAQs
How many monitors can my MacBook connect to at once?
To find this out, go to the apple dropdown menu in the top left corner of your screen. Select ‘About This Mac’. Copy the serial number and enter it into Apple’s tech specs page. It will tell you how many monitors your Mac can support. The number will appear under “Video Support or Graphics.”
Is the process the same for a PC?
The processes are almost identical. What does change is the name of the settings within your computer. Nevertheless, the steps should work for most laptop models.
Can this damage my MacBook?
No, unless you are connecting your MacBook to another system with some computer virus, this should not impact your Mac in any way. That said, make sure not to force any plug-ins into the laptop. If they fit, they will fit; don’t use excessive force.
What if none of this works?
If you followed all of our steps and our troubleshooting tips and still can’t get your MacBook to connect to your monitor, there may be something wrong with one of the pieces of equipment. If this happens, we recommend you take the monitor and MacBook to an expert or call someone to look at the situation.
You can also contact the manufacturers directly to see if they have specific advice or hints to get the two systems to connect.
