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HOW TO USE A LAPTOP AS MONITOR FOR SWITCH – EASIEST METHODS 2020
If you are a high-end user, there will be a time in your life when you want your laptop on duty as well with your desktop computer to increase your productivity. So, being a laptop and desktop owner have you ever thought how to use a laptop as monitor for switch? Well, the idea is quite good to utilize your already available equipment by saving your money.
Setting up a laptop as a monitor takes a deep understanding of operating systems, screen adjustments and connection options. Creating a monitor-a laptop setup is a bit tricky so, here we are going to share the easiest strategy to use a laptop as monitor to help you to get multiple benefits.
HINT: without using any cables, a laptop-monitor duo can be setup. Let’s have a look at the benefits first.
USES OF THE SECOND SCREEN:
Following are the possible uses of the second screen along with your primary monitor:
- You can easily compare different documents side by side
- For advance research purposes, one screen can be used to research and another one can be utilized to write and compose
- You can work on one primary screen while playing games on other etc.
- Much space to perform all tasks
- Requires less power
- Saves time
The uses are many that can provide heavy multitasking.
A LAPTOP-MONITOR SETUP WITH A HOST:
To use a laptop as monitor several efficient applications are available. Here we are going to introduce you with a few good ones like:
- SYNERGY
- MULTIPLICITY
- SHARE MOUSE
SYNERGY:
Synergy is the most commonly used application used worldwide to use a laptop as monitor for switch that is easiest to use. Synergy offers an auto configuration tool with a network wizard that is compatible with all versions of a laptop. It is compatible with all available operating systems like Windows, MAC and Linux.
Follow these steps to use a synergy application.
- First download the setup from any service provider site.
For your ease, you can follow the link too to get the job done. https://www.filehorse.com/download-synergy/ .
- After loading, click on binaries.
- Select your operating system.
- For your current OS use these extensions.
- For Linux use .rpm
- For mac use .gz
- .exe for Windows
- Then click on the SAVE file icon.
Set up client after installation of the file.
- Write the server name in the text box after clicking on the client button.
- Go to advanced settings.
- Choose your name and type the port number, a window will open up.
- Then click on the plus icon (+) in the upper left corner.
- Add your screen name and server screen name.
- Press exit to close screen and window.
Now, perform the following steps to set up the server.
- Move to the client first.
- Again, download Synergy as you did before for the client.
- Click on ‘share the computer mouse and keyboard’s’ in the window.
- Now, this machine is your server. A server controls other connected computers.
- In the window, now click + button again and add server and client screens name. Use your current screen name as your server name.
- Now exit.
Finally set up the screen sharing.
- On the server, open up the synergy application. Go to the screens and then link columns through ‘Links’ tab.
- You should know the direction of the server and client to establish a link. Move to first drop down in the ‘Links’ and choose a direction. Select server name on the second drop down option and client name on the third.
- At the upper left corner of screen, click + button and reverse the input by writing the server name at the place of the client and vice versa.
- The procedure is completed.
Now you are ready to do unlimited multitasking by using a laptop as monitor with synergy. It offers a lifetime licensing option for 10$ and 29$ for basic and pro version respectively.
MULTIPLICITY:
This application is able to convert a laptop as monitor for switch with an ability to connect almost 50 screens with an elite suite. With an appealing GUI, advanced features and efficient working it is the best choice for business use but for non-commercial usage, this app isn’t a good option according to my opinion.
To configure multiplicity follow these steps:
- Download multiplicity first. After the download is complete save setup file in any flash drive to get included in the multiplicity workgroup.
- Then configure secondary PC’s. then proceed:
- run an installer on each PC
- designate each PC either primary or secondary
- then write computer name and passcode for each secondary PC installed
- Activate primary PC now.
- Run an installer on primary Pc.
- In the upper right corner, slide the selection control from secondary to primary
- Use your trial or license activation to configure primary PC
- Setup primary PC connection by entering the passcode. Multiplicity will perform a connection test then. Repeat this process for each secondary PC to be monitored by primary PC.
It has a trail based version for beginners for 1 month but once it gets expired you’ll have to pay once 19.99$ for a licensed package. For high-end users, it gives an option to connect up to 50 screens at a time but this will cost approximately 325$ on average. To guide you further here’s the link to a YouTube video https://youtu.be/7asgN4LVqLc .
SHARE MOUSE:
Share Mouse is an application that is absolutely free for non-commercial usage and easy to use. This app offers a drag and drop tool along with an interactive monitor manager. Obviously, two screens will be working in this setup at a time so, for user ease this application is providing a slight screen faded feature to let you concentrate on both the screens at a time. Wow, a great feature indeed.
For professional use, you’ll have to spend at least 49$ to set up a connection between almost 19 screens at a time. To use a laptop as monitor for switch Share mouse has some benefits of are:
- For professional use, updates and other services are free.
- Licenses are valid lifetime.
- It is a very secure app.
- Offers password authorization.
- It uses a few bytes without slowing down the network.
- Best app for commercial use.
- Active internet connection is only needed during licensing and screening setup.
To successfully setup a laptop-monitor duo with share mouse, click on the YouTube link. For your ease, two links are available here.
FINAL VERDICT:
If you are not fond of cables hopefully this article will be helpful for you to use a laptop as monitor for switch. Surely, this will increase the amount of work you do in the shortest possible time.