It's possible and extremely useful to split your laptop computer's visual power between the main screen and a remote screen you've set up somewhere else. You can shop online on one screen while keeping an eye on your to-do list on the other. Or you could be watching a movie on your remote screen while working on your main one. Once you learn how to set up the two screens, the possibilities are endless.

Seeing your laptop on more than one screen

First, make sure both your laptop and your remote monitor are plugged in and powered on. You'd be surprised how often skipping this step has fouled up a simple operation. Plug the video cable from your external monitor into your laptop's video-output port. In the interests of skipping all the technical jargon and making this simpler, it'll be the only port on the side of your laptop that will easily accommodate the screen's plug. Make sure it's securely plugged in by using the screws on the side of the plug to fasten it to your laptop. To split your computer's screen between the two monitors, there are a couple of methods. Many (if not most) laptops have a built-in button, usually one of the function keys at the top of the keyboard, that is designed to switch your screen's display to another monitor or between two monitors. You might have to press and hold the "control" key or a "function" key (usually located to the left of the space bar) before your screen-switching key will perform its function. If this doesn't work, there's another method that's a bit more complicated. In Windows, open your "Start" menu, and navigate to the Control Panel. From there, find the Personalization menu. Click "Display Settings" and view all the monitors attached to your computer. There will be an option for you to split the viewing area between the two monitors, and this is what you should select. You will also be able to choose where the second, external monitor is in physical relationship to your laptop, which will affect the direction in which you'll drag things to move them between screens. Hit "OK" and your computer screen will black out for a moment before coming back on--split between your two screens.

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How to Split your Laptop or PC Screen