I recently had my monitor for my PC tower break, and I really don't want to buy a new one right now. Is there a way to connect my laptop to my PC so that I can use the laptop screen as a monitor? I've looked online, but it seems like you need a monitor to tweak some settings first, which I obviously can't do without one. Is it even possible to make this work?
5 Answers
Just a heads-up, your laptop's HDMI port is most likely HDMI OUT only, meaning it can't receive video input from your PC. You might want to consider borrowing a TV temporarily if that's an option.
Honestly, it might just be easier to get a replacement monitor. You can find good used ones at Goodwill or online for about $10-$50.
You could try a remote desktop app to share your PC screen to your laptop, but this also requires a temporary monitor to set everything up. Just be aware there might be some delays.
If you have a TV, you can hook your PC up to it instead of a monitor! That’s what I did when I got my first PC. Just plug it into the HDMI port and you're good to go! It's a quick fix while you're sorting out your monitor situation.
You could get a cheap HDMI capture card for your laptop, which allows you to connect your PC. Just keep in mind that this method might introduce some input lag, so it won't be the best experience. Alternatively, you can try using Parsec to stream your PC to your laptop, but again, you'll need a temporary monitor initially to set it up.
Grab a used monitor if you can! You can often find them for under $20 at second-hand stores.
I don't have a TV either! What settings would I need to tweak with a monitor once I get one?