Yes, you can use your laptop as a PC monitor with the right setup. Learning how to use laptop as PC monitor gives you a second screen without buying new gear.
I’ve done this many times when I needed extra space. It’s a great way to get more work done. You can see more windows at once this way.
But it’s not as simple as just plugging a cable in. Your laptop needs to accept a video signal from outside. Most laptops only send video out, not take it in.
Don’t worry, though. I’ll show you all the ways that do work. This guide covers both wired and wireless methods.
Can You Use a Laptop as a Monitor?
This is the first question people ask. The short answer is maybe, but not always directly.
Most laptops are not built to be monitors. Their video ports are for output only. They send the picture to a bigger screen or projector.
But you can still use laptop as PC monitor with some tricks. Software and network tools make it possible. You turn your laptop into a display over your home network.
Some gaming laptops have special ports that can take input. These are pretty rare, though. Check your laptop’s manual to be sure.
For most of us, the software method is the way to go. It works on Windows and Mac laptops. You just need both computers on the same Wi-Fi.
I think this is the easiest path for beginners. You don’t need to buy any extra cables. Just download a free program and follow the steps.
Why Use Your Laptop as a Second Screen?
You might wonder why bother with this setup. I can give you a few good reasons from my own use.
First, it saves you money. A decent monitor costs a lot. Your laptop screen is already paid for and sitting there.
Second, it saves desk space. Monitors take up a lot of room. Your laptop is slim and can sit off to the side nicely.
When you use laptop as PC monitor, you gain screen real estate. You can put your email on one screen and your work on the other. It makes multitasking so much easier.
Gamers like this trick too. You can keep a game guide or chat open on the laptop. Your main game stays full screen on your primary monitor.
Students find it helpful for research papers. Put your sources on the laptop screen. Your main document stays on your bigger monitor.
It’s also great for travel setups. Maybe you have a small desktop PC. Using your laptop as the screen makes the whole thing more portable.
Method 1: Software Solutions (Easiest Way)
This is how I use laptop as PC monitor most often. Software creates a virtual display over your network.
You install a program on both your desktop PC and your laptop. The PC sends its screen image to the laptop. The laptop shows it like a second monitor.
Popular free programs include Spacedesk and Deskreen. I’ve used both and they work well. They’re simple to set up for most people.
First, download the same program on both machines. Make sure you get the right version for each computer’s operating system.
Next, connect both computers to the same Wi-Fi network. This is very important. They need to talk to each other on the same local network.
Open the program on your main PC first. Then open it on your laptop. The laptop should find the PC in its list of available displays.
Click connect and you’re done. Your laptop screen now shows your PC’s desktop. You can drag windows between the two screens.
The Microsoft website has tips for multi-monitor setups. Their guidance applies here too for best results.
Method 2: Windows Built-in Project Feature
Windows 10 and 11 have a feature called “Project to this PC.” It lets you use laptop as PC monitor wirelessly.
This works if both computers run Windows 10 or newer. It uses Miracast technology to share the screen. Think of it like wireless HDMI.
On your laptop, go to Settings then System then Projecting to this PC. Turn on the feature and set it to “Available everywhere.”
On your desktop PC, press Windows Key + P. This opens the project menu. Choose “Connect to a wireless display.”
Your laptop should appear in the list. Select it to connect. After a moment, your PC screen will show on your laptop.
There might be a bit of lag with this method. It’s fine for office work but not great for fast games. Video might look a little choppy sometimes.
I use this for reading documents or browsing the web on the second screen. It’s built right into Windows so no extra software is needed.
Method 3: Remote Desktop Connection
This method is a bit different but still works. You take full control of your PC from your laptop.
It’s not quite the same as a second monitor. But you can use laptop as PC monitor this way for certain tasks.
Enable Remote Desktop on your desktop PC first. Go to System Properties then Remote Desktop settings. Turn on the feature.
Note down your PC’s IP address on your network. You’ll need this to connect from your laptop.
On your laptop, open the Remote Desktop app. Type in your PC’s IP address and click connect. Enter your PC’s username and password when asked.
Now your laptop shows your entire PC desktop. You can work on your PC through your laptop screen.
The National Institute of Standards talks about remote access security. Make sure your home network is safe when using these tools.
This method is best when you need to access files on your PC. It’s not ideal for gaming or video editing due to lag.
Method 4: Hardware Connections (Rare Cases)
Some laptops actually have video input ports. This is the direct way to use laptop as PC monitor.
Check your laptop’s sides for ports labeled “HDMI In” or “DisplayPort In.” The word “In” is key here. Most laptops have “HDMI Out” which won’t work.
Gaming laptops from Alienware or some MSI models might have this. High-end creative laptops from Razer sometimes include it too.
If you have the right port, just connect an HDMI cable from your PC to your laptop. Your laptop should detect the input signal automatically.
You might need to press a function key to switch to the input. Look for a key with a monitor icon on your laptop’s keyboard.
This method gives the best picture quality and lowest lag. It’s just like using a regular monitor. But again, most laptops don’t have this capability.
Don’t buy a new laptop just for this feature. The software methods work well enough for most people’s needs.
Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Let me walk you through the software method step by step. This is how I first learned to use laptop as PC monitor.
Step one: Pick your software. I recommend Spacedesk for Windows users. It’s free and pretty simple to figure out.
Step two: Download the driver on your main desktop PC. This is the “server” part that sends the screen image.
Step three: Download the viewer on your laptop. This is the “client” that receives and shows the image.
Step four: Make sure both computers connect to the same Wi-Fi. A wired network connection works even better for less lag.
Step five: Open Spacedesk on your PC first. Then open it on your laptop. You should see your PC’s name appear on the laptop.
Step six: Click connect on your laptop. Your PC screen should now extend to your laptop display. You did it!
Step seven: Arrange your displays in Windows settings. Go to Settings > System > Display. Drag the screen icons to match your physical setup.
Common Problems and Fixes
Sometimes things don’t work right the first time. Here are issues I’ve faced and how I fixed them.
Problem: Laptop can’t find the PC on the network. Fix: Check your firewall settings on both computers. The software needs permission to communicate.
Problem: The connection is very laggy or choppy. Fix: Move both computers closer to your Wi-Fi router. Or connect one with an Ethernet cable for better speed.
Problem: The screen resolution looks wrong on the laptop. Fix: Adjust the display settings on your PC. Set the laptop’s screen to its native resolution for the clearest picture.
Problem: Colors look washed out or strange. Fix: Some software has color quality settings. Lower the compression or increase the bitrate in the program’s options.
When you use laptop as PC monitor, these small issues can pop up. Don’t get frustrated. Just try one fix at a time.
The Federal Communications Commission has info on home networking. A good network setup helps all your devices work better together.
Best Uses for This Setup
Now that you know how to use laptop as PC monitor, what should you do with it? I have some favorite ways to use this setup.
For work: Put your main project on your big monitor. Keep your email, calendar, or chat app on the laptop screen. This keeps distractions to the side.
For gaming: Play your game on your primary display. Put game guides, streams, or Discord on the laptop. You won’t need to alt-tab anymore.
For creative work: Keep your editing timeline on your main screen. Put your tools, media bins, or effects panels on the laptop. Video editors love this extra space.
For students: Write your paper on the big screen. Keep research articles or reference materials open on the laptop. It makes writing papers much easier.
For trading or data: Charts on one screen, data feeds on the other. When you use laptop as PC monitor for finance work, you can see more information at once.
For simple multitasking: Watch a video on one screen while browsing on the other. I do this all the time when I’m relaxing after work.
Performance Tips and Settings
To get the best experience when you use laptop as PC monitor, tweak some settings. These tips come from my own testing.
First, lower the screen resolution on the laptop display if you see lag. A 1080p stream uses less bandwidth than 4K. Your network will handle it better.
Second, close other programs on both computers. Video streaming takes system resources. Give the screen sharing software priority.
Third, use a 5GHz Wi-Fi network if you can. It’s faster and less crowded than 2.4GHz. This reduces lag and improves picture quality.
Fourth, plug both computers into power outlets. Wireless display sharing uses more battery. You don’t want your laptop to die in the middle of work.
Fifth, adjust the frame rate in your software settings. 30 frames per second is fine for office work. 60 FPS is better for video or games but needs more bandwidth.
Remember, when you use laptop as PC monitor, it’s a compromise. You won’t get perfect monitor performance. But for most tasks, it works just fine.
Safety and Security Considerations
Sharing your screen over a network has some risks. Let’s talk about how to stay safe when you use laptop as PC monitor.
Only use this method on your home network. Don’t try to connect over public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop. Others on the same network might see your screen.
Make sure your home Wi-Fi has a strong password. This keeps neighbors from joining your network. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends this basic step.
Use software from trusted sources only. Download from the official website, not random links. Malware can hide in fake software downloads.
Turn off the screen sharing when you’re done using it. Don’t leave it running all the time. This reduces the chance of unwanted access.
Be careful what you show on the second screen. Don’t display passwords or private information. Assume someone might be able to see it.
When you use laptop as PC monitor, think about privacy. It’s your home, but still practice good digital habits. Better safe than sorry.
Comparing Different Software Options
Not all screen sharing software is the same. Here’s my take on the popular options I’ve tried.
Spacedesk: My top pick for Windows users. It’s free, reliable, and has good picture quality. Setup is straightforward for beginners.
Deskreen: Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It uses your web browser instead of a separate app. This is clever but can use more system resources.
Windows Projection: Built into Windows 10/11. No download needed but can be finicky. Connection drops sometimes for no clear reason.
Third-party remote tools: TeamViewer or AnyDesk can work. They’re made for remote support, not dual monitors. Lag is usually worse with these.
When you want to use laptop as PC monitor, try a few options. See which one feels best on your specific computers. What works great on my setup might not on yours.
All these methods let you use laptop as PC monitor without buying hardware. That’s the real win here. You’re using what you already own in a new way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my laptop as a monitor for my gaming PC?
Yes, but with some lag. Software methods add delay that affects fast games. For slow games or work, it’s fine. For competitive gaming, buy a real monitor.
How do I use laptop as PC monitor for free?
Use Spacedesk or Windows Projection. Both are free tools that work well. They turn your laptop into a second screen without cost.
Does this work with Mac and PC together?
Sometimes, with the right software. Look for cross-platform options like Deskreen. It works in a web browser on both systems.
Can I connect with a cable instead of Wi-Fi?
Only if your laptop has video input ports, which is rare. Most people use network methods. Wi-Fi or Ethernet both work for the software approach.
Will this damage my laptop?
No, it’s completely safe. You’re just displaying an image from another computer. It’s like watching a video stream on your laptop.
How do I use laptop as PC monitor with the best quality?
Use a wired Ethernet connection between both computers. Set the software to maximum quality settings. Make sure both computers