Tiny laptop - need a monitor?

[ChinBristles]

Hello,

It turns out I'm permanently wfh now.

I have a microsoft surface pro and a separate wireless mouse. But the screen is teeny.

What do I do? Hook it up to a bigger screen somehow? And get a wireless keyboard?

Sorry for the remedial questions! Thanks.

Get a screen and attach it to the laptop with a hdmi cable. You can get a keyboard or just use the laptop.

I work from home with a laptop and have a full sized monitor linked to my laptop.
I also have a wireless keyboard and mouse that came as a set so it only uses one port on the laptop.
The only thing I found was that my laptop doesn't have enough hdmi ports so I bought an adapter from Amazon which works fine.

Thanks guys! Sounds pretty easy! :-)

I have a laptop hooked up to a Samsung smart monitor. I just use a hdmi cable. I also got a separate keyboard. Laptop is off to the side, out of the way.

Ignore the fact that everything needs a good dust but I have this set up.

Laptop is on a vertical stand so the screen is at eye level when it's opened up. Connected via a HDMI / VGA adapter to the big monitor. Wireless keyboard and mouse.

I use the display settings to extend the desktop so I can dual screen and drag things from one screen to the other.

Webcam is a usb one that I sit on top of the big monitor otherwise when I was on video calls I either had to be facing the small screen or they just saw the side of my head.

Added a usb plug in light behind the laptop as light in my little corner of the room is poor and I looked like I was just sitting in the dark on video calls 😀

Working from home got a whole lot easier when I added two extra screens, with the laptop too extended over them all.

Work would be far harder without them.

A lot of my work involves graphics. I got 2 27" monitors. Much easier on eyes. The space/size is very handy particularly when you are old.

Fantastic guys, I knew you would have the answers.
Perhaps work have some screens kicking around that I can go in and take.

My new desk arrives in a week so I've been busy buying an office chair etc. Only 2 years behind the times!

I've got a giant monitor, almost too big for my desk and then laptop on a riser that extends display because no camera on the screen.

I've got a stand for my Surface Pro screen and a separate monitor too- the stand is so that they're at approx the same height. I've also got a wireless mouse and keyboard. My Surface Pro keyboard stays on my laptop bag for when I'm going out.
I don't know how any of my colleagues work from just a Surface Pro at home, the screen is too small and the keyboard isn't supportive enough

My son uses 2 big monitors.
Laptop screens are way too small.

I bought a monitor from Amazon, it does connect to mine via HDMI ports but it sounds like you can get adapters anyway.

I got one very similar this one: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08H5DZ3B1/ref=twister_B09ZQL53GX

That's a handy link, thanks! I'm going to get that if work doesn't have spare monitors. Or mibbe I will ask them to buy it for me!

I've also got an HDMI extension lead thingy as I don't have enough ports on my surface pro for everything.

I never thought I'd turn into an IT geek but it makes such a difference to have comfortable set up!

Dh got a usb adapter to plug in a screen, keyboard and external mouse.

I've bought the 24 inch version of the monitor linked above. With a USB AND HDMI connector. I need to label all my ports and cables!

Also bought a stand and wireless keyboard (already had a wireless mouse)

Also got a desk lamp and will buy a mat to protect floor from my wheely chair which is coming.

Bit spendy but hopefully it will do me til I retire or die!

thanks for everyone's assistance, I'll let you know how I get on

A Monitor arm is brilliant for getting the monitor at the right height/angle and freeing up desk space under the monitor. I work with my laptop under the monitor and use both the laptop and monitor screen, extended, at the same time. I just use the laptop keyboard and a wireless mouse.

Get as big a monitor as you have space for. Ds "borrowed" my newer/bigger one and I miss it!

Great ideas and advice, thanks so much!

Remedial question - do both the monitor and laptop need to be plugged in and switched on to work?

I don't understand your question.....obviously they need to be switched on and both need power............ Laptop can run off its battery if charged.

You can work with one screen only by closing your laptop (if you have a separate keyboard), but it still needs to be switched on and running. Once you get used to using two screens you will find it hard to go back to just one.

Thanks - haha seems obvious now, I think I was overthinking it!
Screen arrives on Wed - excited!!

Here is my set up!