Consumers have been curious about the benefits of using multi-monitor displays for years now, and according to some studies, using dual or multiple monitors can increase a user’s productivity by up to 30% or more.
Using a Computer With One Monitor, But Multiple Screens.: Having worked as a technician at a college doing computer support, I could tell some war stories. One of the things that really concerned was how resources were used. As a taxpayer, it really concerned me. For example I would have to set up four mon. Whether you’re a fresh adopter of virtual machines or a longtime lover of virtualization, Parallels Desktop for Mac has optimized support for your external monitors and Full Screen mode! You can view your Parallels Desktop virtual machine on your native display or an external monitor so it looks just like it would if you were using a Windows PC. The past few years, Macs have been a little tricky to add multiple monitors to. Whether you have limited ports on the new MacBook Pro or an onboard graphics limitations with the Mac Mini, you start to run into issues as soon as you want to add more than a few displays to your new Apple computer. Download and install the professional screen recorder ApowerREC and launch the program. Before the recording, please make sure you have set all the monitors in horizontal arrangement under screen settings on your Mac. Now drag the program’s main board to the monitor you want to record and choose the recording region.
The ability to see multiple applications at once, or to more easily drag and drop files between finder windows, may seem like a minor increase in the accessibility, but over time, the ease of access not only improves productivity, but can also improve a user’s satisfaction, morale, and mood. Of course, since using two or more monitors has become common—if not expected—the ability to provide multi-monitor support has become likewise essential.
For help desk techs looking for multi-monitor support in their remote troubleshooting tools, I suggest starting with Dameware® Remote Everywhere from SolarWinds, and I explain why below.
Remote Access and Multi-Monitor Compatibility
Support technicians need full access to an end user’s visual display. Of course, remote access software can be a useful tool for IT departments because it allows technicians to access or control users’ computers from a remote location. In many cases, using remote access software to troubleshoot and resolve a user’s issue is as effective as working on the problem in person—only a much more efficient use of time and resources. If a user’s workstation features two or more monitors, attempting to maneuver between view screens or dragging and dropping files could be difficult during high traffic periods.
However, user reliance on multi-monitor displays doesn’t have to be a technical support challenge. Remote support tools should be designed to be easy to use and to provide multi-monitor support for Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems—meaning when accessing a user’s workstation, you can switch between viewing each of their monitors with the click of a button.
Not all remote software tools are built to view or access multiple endpoint monitors, so you should make sure to choose a remote solution designed with this capability in mind.
Choosing the Right Multi-Monitor Support Solution
Multi-monitor compatibility is important for both remote access and remote support. As screen sharing becomes more and more common at organizations, collaborators need to be able to view each other’s desktops, including multiple monitors. Remote access solutions, then, should take this capability into account.
Best Cloud Solution: Dameware Remote Everywhere (DRE)
The broad range of tools in DRE, including diagnostic and troubleshooting functions, make it easy to quickly find and resolve issues users may be experiencing. Not only is Dameware Remote Everywhere accessible from desktops and laptops, but a mobile app allows support technicians to access the same functions and tools from a phone or tablet, granting you greater mobility. The app also includes multi-monitor support for Windows, Linux, and Mac systems.
In addition to featuring strong encryption to protect data transmitted via your connection, Dameware Remote Everywhere is built to address some of the concerns over network bandwidth causing laggy remote sessions by automatically matching your network’s connection speed.
Best On-Prem Solution: Dameware Remote Support (DRS)
This secure, on-premises remote access and support application is built to allow access to user computers and devices both within and without network firewalls, regardless of where the workstations are located around the globe. The application offers a comprehensive range of solutions in one organized and easy-to-use console, enabling systems administrators and IT professionals to do most of their daily tasks and troubleshooting routines using one tool.
DRS includes a built-in VNC client, providing multi-monitor support for Windows machines as well as for computers running Mac or Linux operating systems. Regardless of the operating system or number of monitors your users may be using, you’ll be able to see everything on their monitors and easily switch between their displays.
In addition to multi-monitor support tools, Dameware Remote Support includes chat and screenshot functionalities, along with integrated Intel Active Management Technology, so you can provide support to inactive or compromised computers. The all-in-one console provides additional useful tools, including capabilities for managing Active Directory sites and for monitoring systems performance and event logs.
To note: SolarWinds® DRS and DRE share many of the same features, so the specific capabilities noted above for DRS are potentially also available in the DRE platform. A primary difference between the two is the deployment model—as an on-premises solution, Dameware Remote Support requires support technicians to use the remote access tools from the host where the program is installed. As a SaaS solution, Dameware Remote Everywhere provides the same tools—including the ability to access device details and to edit registries or session details—with the added convenience that you can deliver the same technical support from almost anywhere there’s an internet connection.
Best Basic Solution: LogMeIn
If you’re still looking for your remote support software, you may want to consider LogMeIn. With three tiers—Pro, Central, and Rescue—you get a bit of choice regarding pricing and capabilities. All three tiers allow for multi-monitor compatibility. If you’re looking for basic remote productivity tools, Pro and Central can be good options, as they enable easy and secure file sharing. Rescue is the option built to provide remote support, with features like video support and custom branding.
Overall, LogMeIn provides some useful benefits, like 1TB of files storage between users, and complimentary LastPass access for password management. And as with most business-ready remote tools these days, you get mobile compatibility.
Multi-Monitor Support Tool That Works for You
Whether you prefer the on-premises tools of Dameware Remote Support or the added accessibility of Dameware Remote Everywhere cloud-based support, your technicians need a clear view into user’s workstations, no matter how many monitors are in their setup. I suggest checking out a free trial of Dameware Remote Everywhere first—it’s in the cloud, so you get all the advantages that offered!
In this article, we’ll show you the different ways to add a second screen to your Mac, including:
- 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.
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.
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.
Mac Desktop Screen
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.
Multi Screen Laptop Computer
Setting up mirroring is similar to connecting a second monitor.
- 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.
How To Use Multiple Monitors
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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