Chromebook is a light-weight gadget that carries a small OS footprint. However when I’m on my desktop utilizing skilled apps like photoshop, Microsoft Workplace, or Visible Studio Code, I’ve little to no use of a Chromebook. However with these third-party apps in useful, I can use the Chromebook as a second monitor to my main pc. Thus serving to my workflow and productiveness with a twin monitor setup with out the necessity to buy an extra monitor.
Are you in an analogous place and wish to benefit from your Chromebook’s display screen actual property when engaged on Home windows, Mac, or Linux? Listed here are the very best apps (paid and free) that show you how to to make use of Chromebook as a second monitor.
Table of Contents
Use Chromebook as a Second Monitor
1. Duet Show
Of all of the apps examined, Duet Show got here out on prime for its seamless and dependable connection between units. It’s a paid app carrying a one-time value of $9.99. Completely price it. You solely have to purchase the app on the Chromebook, whereas Home windows and Mac purchasers are free so long as you might be paid buyer. Google typically provides Duet Show as a perk for purchasing a Chromebook. So try if the supply is eligible within the Discover app on Chromebook earlier than shopping for.
Obtain the Duat Show app from the Play Retailer on Chromebook. Additionally, obtain the Home windows or Mac consumer and set up it on the system. Click on in your Profile and allow the checkbox beside Display Sharing Enabled.
Open the Duet Show on Chromebook and choose Android from the left sidebar. Then choose the Air possibility. Although Duet Show helps Wired connection, it received’t work with Chromebook.
In case you have Duet show open on Chromebook, it is best to discover your Chromebook IP deal with right here. Click on on it to attach. If it isn’t displaying, click on on Connect with IP Manually button and enter Chromebook’s IP deal with manually.
That’s it, now you might be all set.
Professionals
- Wi-fi connectivity
- Simple and seamless set-up course of
- Most dependable possibility with fewer lags even with wi-fi connection
Cons
- Paid app and prices $9.99
- Wired possibility don’t work with Chromebook
2. Splashtop Wired XDisplay
Not like the Duet Show, Splashtop is a free app and wishes a USB cable to attach two units. There is no such thing as a solution to join wirelessly. Splashtop is on par with Duet Show if not higher in the case of reliability and lag between units. Apart from the truth that it helps solely wired connections, it has all different options.
Obtain Splashtop on Chromebook and in addition set up the desktop consumer on Mac or Home windows. Now join each the units with a USB cable and launch the app on each units.
As soon as completed, on Home windows, simply press Win+P and choose Lengthen shows possibility. This can begin mirroring your Home windows desktop in your Chromebook. However we wish to use Chromebook as a secondary show. To try this, choose the Superior tab on the desktop and untick Allow Mirror mode possibility. This can cease mirroring the display screen and start utilizing the Chromebook display screen as a secondary show.
On Mac, Click on on the WiredXDisplay on the menu bar > Preferences > Association and switch off the Mirror Shows possibility right here.
Professionals
- Most dependable and fewer lag as utilizing wired connection
- Utterly free
Cons
- Can’t join wirelessly
3. Spacedesk
The benefit of Spacedesk is that it helps each wired and wi-fi strategies. You should use Wi-Fi or USB or perhaps a LAN cable to attach each units. Obtain the Spacedesk app on Chromebook and in addition in your Home windows or Mac gadget.
Then join utilizing a wire or wirelessly. Now while you open the app on Chromebook, it is best to discover all of the units which might be linked and have the app put in. Merely choose a tool to attach.
It would begin displaying the system show on the Chromebook display screen. Now you should use native choices within the Home windows and Mac settings to regulate the show settings.
Spacedesk works nice and has a variety of connectivity choices, however while you join wirelessly, you’ll expertise lags and stutters once in a while. If you wish to go wi-fi, Duet Show nonetheless holds the crown.
Professionals
- Helps each wired and wi-fi connectivity choices
- Free
Cons
- Wi-fi connectivity could be bit buggy and unusable
4. Deskreen
All of the above apps work with Home windows and Mac solely. If you’re a Linux person, right here’s an open-source software that may assist use your Chromebook as a second show. It connects wirelessly and has a variety of options like sharing app view, mirroring display screen, teleprompter mode, and so forth.
Deskreen doesn’t have a separate app for Chromebooks. Simply obtain it in your Home windows, Mac, and Linux desktop and full the set-up course of. Then join each the units to the identical Wi-Fi.
On the Deskreen app on the desktop, you can see a QR code. Simply scan that QR code with any QR Code scanner app in your Chromebook. It would present you a hyperlink to the web site. Open the hyperlink and it’ll show the second display screen of the desktop in your Chromebook display screen. Click on on the full-screen button to make use of the Chromebook as a secondary monitor in fullscreen mode.
As it’s an open-source various, additionally it is free. However the app can really feel a bit laggy at occasions and occasional stutters are fairly frequent.
Professionals
- Works with Home windows, Mac and in addition Linux
- Free and open-source software program.
Cons
- Can solely join wirelessly
- Can lag typically
One Stone, Two Birds
Duet Show is what you want in case you are prepared to pay a one-time fee of $9.99. It’s wi-fi, works quick, and is simple to arrange. If not, Spacedesk and Splashtop can get the work completed without cost. If you’re a Linux person, then your greatest guess is Deskreen which is open-source, free, and works on all platforms. Don’t have a Chromebook? You may also use your Android cellphone as a second monitor.