If you use a Mac for work, odds are you’ve wished for some additional screen real estate space. Unfortunately, Apple products like the Pro Display XDR usually come with an unwieldy price tag. The good news is that your Mac is compatible with a plethora of lower-cost options for a second display. That means you can stretch out your digital workspace without over stretching your bank account. We found that a two monitor setup can be achieved for just around $100 or less.

For those unfamiliar, practically all computers today can use more than one screen. That means you can have more windows open at once or just have more space to keep track of everything you’re doing. Windows and apps can be dragged from one screen to another seamlessly. PC users have been enjoying this setup for decades.  Apple computers have long supported this feature, but many may not know just how affordable it is to do.

How To Set Up A Second Screen For Your Mac

First, you’ll need to set up your new secondary display and connect it to a power source. Next, you will connect your second display’s video cable into your Mac’s adapter. Plug the adapter port into the back of your Mac in its Mini Display Port.

Next, we will set up your operating system to recognize the monitor and treat it as an extended workspace. To do this, click on the Apple icon on the top left of your desktop and choose system preferences. From there, you’ll want to select “displays”. On the screen, you can choose how you want your secondary screen to behave.

An iPad Can Be a Second Display, Too

In the release of the latest Apple operating system, 10.15 Catalina, a new feature was added called Sidecar that allows your Mac to connect with an iPad and use it as a secondary display. This can be a great feature to use when you are on the go or if you have an old iPad lying around that you don’t use anymore. Sidecar can connect either wirelessly or through a lightning cable. Since the screen will always be on while you are using it, it would make the most sense to use a lightning cable.

In the end, if you feel that you don’t have enough virtual desktop real estate, you shouldn’t settle. Instead, you can take advantage of a second screen for little to no cost.

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