Reference number: CH000679

Can I use my laptop display for my desktop?

Question:

Can I use my laptop display for my desktop?

Additional information:

• See document CH000801 for additional information about connecting an external monitor to a laptop.

Cause:

Users may wish to use their laptop display for their desktop for any of the below reasons.

1. Their display for their desktop is bad or has failed.
2. They feel the laptop display is better than the display on their desktop.
3. They cannot afford a monitor for their desktop computer.

Answer:

Note: This document is pertaining to users who wish to user only their laptop display as a primary or secondary display and not the computer. If you have a functioning laptop and wish to use it as a primary or secondary display see document CH000843.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to directly connect your desktop computer to your laptop and use it as the display. A laptop communicates to its display much more different than a desktop.

However, if you have a good understanding of electronics, a lot of time on your hands, and no longer need the LCD on the laptop it is possible to remove the LCD from the laptop and manually solder a connection from the desktop to the laptop. However, because of the complexity involved and all the possibilities there could be Computer Hope cannot post information about how to do this.