In this article, we'll show you the different ways to add a second screen to your Mac, including:
Apple's popular MacBook Air set the bar for years for what you could expect from a $1,000 laptop and gave you a great entry point into MacOS without having to shell out for an iMac or MacBook Pro. You can use an external display, a projector, or an HDTV with your MacBook Air. Connect a VGA display or projector: Use a USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter to connect the display or projector to a Thunderbolt / USB 4 port on your MacBook Air. On your Mac, click the AirPlay button on your Mac's menu bar, which looks like a rectangle with a solid triangle pointing upward from the bottom. Find the iPad you want to use as a secondary. Despite adding this shortcut, you can always switch between profiles by locking your screen or logging out. Click the Apple icon on the left hand corner of your desktop to view these options. Create a desktop. In Mac you can create more than one desktop, for that, the first step you need to.
- How to use an iPad as a second monitor
- How to add a MacBook or MacBook Pro external monitor
- How to mirror your Mac's display
If you're working out of a public place or you're regularly on the move with your MacBook, using an iPad is the most practical way of adding a second screen for productivity purposes. Unless, of course, you're happy to carry a 27-inch monitor with you everywhere you go.
If you have a permanent place of work, you should opt for an additional display that gives you plenty of extra real estate — one that offers a desktop-like experience. This will really enhance your working day.
Before we show you how to add a second monitor, you need to make sure your system is prepared to handle it.
Monitoring your Mac's health with CleanMyMac X
Newer versions of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, particularly 2016 and 2017 Retina Display models, have been known to overheat when hooked up to an external display. Some users have reported temperatures of 60 degrees plus.
An external monitor puts increased pressure on the GPU, which ramps up the internal temperature. The more you use your MacBook to multitask across two screens, the hotter it's going to get.
An overheating Mac doesn't just result in sluggish performance, it's dangerous for the overall health of the system.
We recommend using CleanMyMac X for two reasons:
- It features Health Alerts that automatically alert you when temperatures are higher than normal and when RAM is at capacity.
- It lets you clean up your system to remove junk files, freeing up disk space and easing the pressure on your GPU.
Health Alerts takes care of itself, monitoring your system in the background and alerting you when it detects a problem.
The cleanup part requires you to click a few buttons but it couldn't be easier to do. To get rid of unwanted files from across your system, follow these instructions:
- Download and launch CleanMyMac X (Download it for free here).
- Click on Smart Cleanup.
- Hit Scan and wait for CleanMyMac to show you how much space can be freed up.
- Hit Clean to remove junk files.
Macbook change password. Run a Smart Cleanup occasionally to keep your MacBook in a healthy condition.
How to use an iPad as a second monitor
With a 9.7-inch display, an iPad isn't ever going to be as good as an actual monitor but it does offer convenience. It's easy to carry around, doesn't demand a great deal of desk space, and lets you make use of the touchscreen.
Unfortunately, you can't just plug in a cable and extend your display to your iPad. To make this work you need help from an app like Duet Display.
While there other good apps available such as Air Display and iDisplay, Duet Display is the best choice for ease of use and reliability. There is a slight downside in the fact you'll need to part with $9.99 to own it, but if you plan on regularly using your iPad as a second monitor it's well worth it.
Here's how to use it:
- Download Duet Display from the App Store on your iPad and download it from the Duet Display website for your Mac.
- Run the installer to install the app on your Mac.
- Connect your iPad to your Mac and open Duet Display.
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Your display will now be extended across two screens.
While this works best for iPad because of the size of its display, you can download and use the app on an iPhone too.
How to add a MacBook or MacBook Pro external monitor
Getting a double screen Mac operation up and running doesn't require any additional software, you'll be pleased to know.
Depending on which type of MacBook you're using, you'll either be able to hook up a second screen via USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) to connect to an HDMI or VGA display or, if you have one, via the HDMI port.
Note:If you're purchasing a USB-C to HDMI or USB-C to VGA cable, make sure that it's a genuine Apple product. Since the release of Sierra, many third-party adapters have stopped working.
To set up an extended desktop display:
- Connect the monitor to your MacBook and turn it on.
- Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays.
- Click on the Arrangement tab.
- Arrange the blue boxes to position your external monitor in line with its location on your desk. The box with the white bar at the top represents your primary display. Drag the white bar over to the other box to change it.
How to mirror your Mac's display
Mirroring projects your desktop onto another screen so that you can view the same display and perform the same actions across multiple monitors.
This method doesn't aid productivity like an extended display does but it's great for viewing photos or watching videos on a big screen.
Setting up mirroring is similar to connecting a second monitor. Best 3d printer g code software.
- Connect the monitor to your MacBook and turn it on.
- Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays.
- Click on the Arrangement tab.
- Select Mirror Displays from the bottom left corner.
- Select Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available.
With mirroring, both blue boxes in the Arrangement tab will show the white bar at the top. This is because they're both showing the same display.
A healthy Mac is a productive Mac
Whether you chose to use an iPad as a second monitor or hook up your Mac to multiple desktops through an external display, you'll find that you're able to get a lot more done than usual. But while you're being all productive, don't forget about the strain a second screen (even a small display like an iPad) puts on system resources. With an additional display connected, run CleanMyMac X in the background to monitor the health of your MacBook so that it doesn't overheat or max out RAM usage.
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Generally all devices attached with your computer or laptop have manuals inscribed with instructions to install and use them. By following them carefully you can perform the task and achieve the desired goal. A similar method is done while adding a printer to your MacBook Air. It is a simple task but if you do not do it properly and miss some of easy steps, your installation process can be interrupted. However, it does not require an expert advice or action to add a printer to your computer. If you are familiar with how to install a software from a cd/DVD or any other source, which includes all required drivers and applications, you can add a printer to your MacBook Air. For the printer however you do not need a CD/DVD or any other such source, you just have to plug in your printer cable with your computer and wire cable to a electric plug, it will take you to printer installation step by step.
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Instructions
Start and Follow
You start installation of a printer to your computer with plugging your printer's flat USB cable into your computer. It is plugged in one of USB ports available on your MacBook Air. It is better to use a port on back of your computer to avoid you any inconvenience while using other data sources i.e. USB devices, Data Cards or Portable Hard Disks etc. You will start receiving instructions for installation after you have plugged the cable.- 2
Access Toolbar Menu
After you have plugged the data cable of printer to your MacBook Air, click on the Apple icon from your toolbar menu. It is a dead easy step, and you can easily locate the Apple icon. - 3
System Preferences
From Apple icon you will have to select your system preferences option. It is a small but an important, and you cannot just avoid it. It will take only a few seconds to take you to the next. - 4
Printer Option
From display window of your MacBook Air you go on the printer option. Generally printer and fax options are in the same tab, just press it and it will display a message window to add printer and perform other options from it to chose your preferences and options. From the window you can also chose page-setting and printing preferences. - 5
Printer Location
From message window you should select the printer location option from the printer box. It will guide you to the location, where setup file is stored, and from there you can select and install the printer. - 6
Actual Installation
After locating your printer setup, you just have to press the Add tab and it will start installing the printer to your MacBook Air. Just to check if it is installed properly, you can print a trial page, which normally inscribes the company and printer information. You can change your settings, such as page marking and alignments etc as continue the printing process. It depends on the requirement of each print you take.
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