Using More Than One Screen: Mirroring vs. Extended

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The portability of laptops make them a popular choice among instructors. The screen size, however, can make it difficult to see text or work with multiple windows open. One solution embraced by a growing number of people is to connect the laptop to an external monitor and adjust the display settings. Assuming the external monitor has a larger screen, the user can simply mirror the image from the laptop onto the external monitor, thereby easily increasing the window and font size. By using the extended display, rather than mirroring, the user gains more "real estate" and can spread out different applications and windows across multiple screens.

When the laptop is connected to a projection system in a classroom, the user also has the ability to change the display settings, thus controlling both what the user sees on the laptop and what the audience sees on the screens in the room. Once again, the laptop and projection screens can show the same content (mirroring), or the laptop and projection screen can show completely different content (extended display). It is important to know how to change the display settings so you can adjust for different needs and audiences.

In today's tip, we show you how to change the display settings on both a PC and a Mac. In a future tip, we will discuss how the display settings function differently depending on whether you are using PowerPoint or Google Slides.

 

Display Settings on a Mac


Method 1

Open System Preferences > Displays > If the display is set to mirroring, you will see the windows mirrored as shown below.

A window of the "Displays" setting on MacOS. At the top of the window, it reads, "Display preference control the resolution and color of your MacBook Air's displays and their arrangement with any nearby Mac or iPad signed into your Apple ID." In the middle of the window shows a layer of two screens that looks the same.

Click on Display Settings to choose from the drop down menu which screen should be set to the "extended display."

A smaller window appears over the original "Displays" setting window on MacOS. The first drop down menu reads "Use as" with the option changed to "Extended display."

Now you will see the two screen side-by-side in “Extended” mode (the content appears to the be the same in this image from display settings. What you should notice is that the screens are separate).

A window of the "Displays" setting on MacOS. At the top of the window, it reads, "Display preference control the resolution and color of your MacBook Air's displays and their arrangement with any nearby Mac or iPad signed into your Apple ID." Now, in the middle of the window, it shows two screens side by side with different content.

Method 2

You also quickly toggle between these modes using the pop-up menu to the left of the date/time on the menu-bar here by choosing Screen Mirroring. And if you want it to be in your menu bar for even quicker access, click and drag the “Screen Mirroring” icon here to your menu bar. (Any of these can be added to your menu bar.)

In the MacOS taskbar, typically at the top of the screen of an iPhone or iPad, a pop-up menu icon appears to the left of the date and time. The pop-up menu icon is two toggle buttons oriented vertically with the first button toggled off and the second icon toggled on.
After selecting the pop-up menu icon, a small window appears with many quick settings options. Screening Mirroring setting can be added to this small window.

    

After adding the Screening Mirroring setting, a new icon appears to the left of the pop-up menu icon. An icon with two screens layering is the Screening Mirroring setting.

 

Display Settings on a PC


Method 1

You can toggle between modes by using Settings > Displays and choosing either Duplicate or Extend from the dropdown menu under Multiple Displays.

A window of the "Displays" setting on Windows OS. Under Multiple displays section, "Extend these displays" is highlighted.

Method 2

You can also quickly toggle between display modes by holding down the Windows key and tapping P, moving from “Duplicate” mode to “Extend” in this quick switch menu.

A gray floating menu called "Project" appears on Windows OS. "Extended" is highlighted.

Finally, you can rearrange the screens by clicking and dragging them to a new position.

A window of the "Displays" setting on Windows OS that shows the "Rearrange your displays" option. There are two screens detected, labeled 1 and 2.

With these few tips, you'll be able to set up your next presentation in class and make use of a second monitor to enlarge your workspace.

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