Depending on which model you use, it is possible to switch to HDMI on your HP, Dell, Lenovo, MSI, Acer and mac laptop.
We are in an era where we can improve our workspace by utilizing other home gadgets around us to improve our productivity and experience.
HDMI is known for extending data between two devices that support HDMI, and this article will shed light on how this is possible and how you can achieve that. Also, this will be more beneficial to gamers that plan to connect Nintendo switch to laptop.
To quickly answer your question about why you are here, follow the instructions below.
How To Switch To HDMI on any Laptop:
1. Click on the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open quick shortcut navigations.
2. Select mobility centre.
3. Click on connect display in the external display section.
4. Choose duplicate among the four options.
5. You are done.
Last update on 2023-03-17 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Is HDMI?
HDMI is also known as Hight-Definition Multimedia Interface, which is primarily used for transmitting video and audio data through a cable from an output source to an input source.
It is commonly used with a monitor or a high-resolution screen because of its high transmitting power, which is helpful to those that need a larger display.
HDMI makes it easy to connect all your home computer and entertaining gadgets to an external monitor, projector, or laptop for a better workspace to improve productivity and experience.
How Does HDMI Work with Laptop?
HDMI works between two devices at a time, and both devices need to support an HDMI input for which they will be connected through a USB cable.
The first device must have an HDMI port, while the second device must also have an HDMI port. Both devices are then connected via an HDMI cable that has both ports on each side that supports both device’s input.
The devices need to have the same ports because the HDMI cable will have a specific type of input used to connect both devices.
Reasons To Switch to HDMI
There are many reasons to switch to HDMI for your devices, especially with your laptop. In fact, you are seriously missing out if you haven’t tried making use of HDMI.
It basically changes your experience with how your use your devices and improves your workflow overall. I’ll share you with some reasons why you should consider switching to HDMI on your laptop.
These are the reasons:
- Large Display Experience.
- To Project.
- To Expand Your Screen.
- To Increase Workflow.
1. Larger Display Experience
You can connect your laptop to a tv or monitor with a wider resolution, which brings your work experience to life.
Think of it like the experience you get when you switch from watching a movie in 2D experience to watching a movie in 3D experience or higher.
It brings more interaction between you and your computer. If you are into gaming, watching movies, video editor, or a creator in general, switching your laptop to a wider monitor or tv through an HDMI cable will drastically improve your experience and workflow.
2. For Presentations
It’s very frustrating when trying to present something to your friends or colleges at work, and all you have is just your laptop which they can see very clearly.
This is even more frustrating when you are trying to present inside a meeting, and almost everyone in the meeting can’t clearly understand what you are saying because they can’t see what you are presenting to them.
All these hassles can easily be eliminated if you consider using a projector that will help your present your work more clearly to the people you are presenting using an HDMI cable.
A projector will speak your presentation to your audience, which should eliminate more workload from you.
3. To Expand Your Screen
Aside from the fact that you can project everything displayed on your laptop to a wider external display, you can also expand your laptop screen to a wider external display, increasing your resolution in general.
What I’m trying to tell you is that when you switch your laptop to HDMI and use it alongside an external monitor, you have the option of adding the external monitor to your laptop.
So, your laptop and the external monitor are turned into one screen. This is extremely helpful to people that need more screens like video and image editors, gamers, or forex traders.
4. To Increase Workflow
This is by far the most crucial reason why people choose to use HDMI with their laptop. It drastically increases workflow and work time, and there’s no doubt about that.
If you choose to connect your laptop to an external display using an HDMI cable, you will experience more improvements in terms of your speed and overall experience.
Also, your laptop with a projector after connecting with an HDMI cable will help you make much faster and more transparent presentations.
Does My Laptop Has Support HDMI?
Not every laptop supports an HDMI port. And the reason for this is that not all laptops are made within the same period.
You will only find the HDMI ports on the newer and more recent laptop. An older laptop won’t come with an HDMI port, although you will find something similar.
An older laptop comes with a VGA port because VGA back then is the HDMI of today.
To know if your laptop support HDMI, you must check the sides and corners of your laptop to see if you will find an HDMI port.
If you find an HDMI port, it means your laptop support HDMI, but if you are unable to find a HDMI port, your laptop doesn’t support it.
Although your laptop doesn’t support an HDMI port, it will definitely come along with a VGA port. A laptop will surely come with either an HDMI port or a VGA port.
Differences Between HDMI And VGA
HDMI and VGA serve the same functions but have surprising differences.
These are some of the differences:
- A VGA is also known as Video Graphics Adaptor, while an HDMI is known as a High-Definition Multimedia Interface I mentioned earlier.
- An HDMI uses a digital interface to transfer more data for a higher frame rate and resolution, while a VGA uses an analogue interface.
- An HDMI supports both video and audio interface, while a VGA only supports a video interface.
- HDMI can handle a higher resolution and display clearer images, but a VGA can’t take so much.
- An HDMI can work with a modern device while a VGA is gradually being forgotten.
- An HDMI is better than a VGA because it can handle everything a VGA can handle.
How To Switch to HDMI on Laptop
Most laptops like Dell and HP already have a dedicated button to switch to HDMI quickly after your laptop and external device has already been connected via an HDMI cable.
Once a connection is already established between your laptop and your tv or monitor, you can quickly press the F8 key on your Dell laptop and then select duplicate to display your content both on your laptop and your external device. On an HP laptop, it is the F4 key.
You can asl try holding down the FN key first while pressing either F8 or F4, just if pressing the button alone doesn’t take any effect.
To switch to HDMI on any laptop through your windows settings, follow the instructions below.
Here’s how:
1. Click on the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open quick shortcut navigations.
2. Select mobility centre.
3. Click on connect display in the external display section.
4. Choose duplicate among the four options.
5. You are done.
How To Connect Laptop to TV With HDMI
Connecting a laptop to a TV via HDMI can be complicated for some people, but I have provided a simple way to achieve that without any hassle.
Here’s how:
1. Make sure your laptop and external device has an HDMI port.
2. Get your HDMI cable ready.
3. Connect the first end of your HDMI cable to your laptop.
4. Connect the second end of your HDMI cable to your TV.
5. Take note of the TV HDMI port you connected the HDMI cable to.
6. Switch to the specific channel you connected the HDMI cable to with your TV. For example, HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3.
7. You are done.
How To Change HDMI Settings
If you have successfully connected your laptop via HDMI and you are trying to change HDMI settings for whatever reason, here’s how you can achieve that:
1. Audio
Here’s how to change HDMI audio settings:
1. Search for sound settings in windows search.
2. Click on sound settings among the results.
3. Make sure you are on the sound tab.
4. In the output section, you can choose your default output device.
2. Display
Here’s how to change HDMI display settings:
1. Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open settings.
2. Click on system.
3. Make sure you are on the display tab.
4. Make sure HDMI cable connection is already established between your laptop and the other device.
5. Scroll down to the multiple display settings.
6. Click on detect.
7. Select your external device from the list.
8. Apply the settings to take effect.
Can I Use VGA Instead?
In a situation where your laptop doesn’t come with an HDMI port but comes with a VGA port, you can as well use the VGA port.
The VGA port also does a terrific job getting the job done, but it surely won’t be as effective as the HDMI port.
If VGA is all you have and the other device you want to connect with also has a VGA, you should go ahead with it.
How To Switch HDMI Laptop To VGA
Suppose you are in a situation where you have a laptop, and that laptop happens to use a HDMI port, but it needs to connect to another device that is using a VGA port. In that case, you don’t need to worry so much because it is possible to connect them.
Two things are needed:
- HDMI to VGA adapter – This adapter will be connected to your laptop HDMI port first to serve as a receiver for the HDMI cable.
- VGA cable – The VGA cable will be connected from the HDMI adapter to the external device that uses a VGA input.
Last update on 2023-03-22 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How To Switch VGA Laptop To HDMI
It is also possible to connect a laptop using a VGA port to an external device using an HDMI port. Just like how you can make a laptop with an HDMI port work with an external device that uses a VGA port, the same methods can be applied in this scenario.
There are only two requirements:
- VGA to HDMI adapter – This adaptor will have to be connected to your laptop so that it can work with an HDMI cable.
- HDMI cable – You need an HDMI cable that will be connected from the adapter directly to the external device that is using an HDMI port
