Using my laptop at home

[Fergal]

My home PC is getting old and slow, however my Windows 7 laptop is faster and more modern. The PC and laptop both use the Internet over a wireless router connected to the PC and a modem.

I've been considering using the laptop from home, with the PC monitor, keyboard and mouse. What would be the best way to do this, should I:

1. Connect the monitor, mouse and keyboard into the laptop
2. Somehow use the laptop over the small home network
3. Or do I need to do something else?

Thanks!

 

[sapper]

Use the laptop over a home network, thats what I do, it's a pain if you need to use the printer, but ditching the PC free's up a bit of space, and you could always get a wireless printer.

 

[Migi]

I used to use desktop PC. I changed to using laptop ever since the PC crashed and my parents thought using laptop would be easier in terms of maintenance. It also saves space and portable. So far using laptop as my main computer over everything is proven good. I would say use laptop over a home network too. 🙂

 

[Fergal]

Thanks for the replies.

Use the laptop over a home network

Have you any pointers as to the best way to do that, so that I can use my full size monitor?

 

[sapper]

Thanks for the replies.

Use the laptop over a home network

Have you any pointers as to the best way to do that, so that I can use my full size monitor?

You should be able to plug it into your laptops 15 pin DIN socket for the signal, as long as you have a separate power source nearby

 

[froggyboy604]

I think most laptops have a VGA, DVI-I or HDMI monitor plug for attaching a external monitor to it, and you can use a USB keyboard and mouse to attach to the laptop by plugging them into the laptop's USB port.

You need to plug in the monitor directly into your wall's power outlet since the external monitor plug is not powerful enough to power your monitor.

 

[Fergal]

Thanks for the replies, that works. I'm actually working through my laptop now.

Is there anyway to use a single monitor for both the laptop and PC without having to plug in and out the monitor connection each time?

 

[Tindris]

You could get a dock for your laptop, that usually works well. In regards to having two connections that would depend. I have a HDMI and a VGA port so I use one for each.

 

[Fergal]

Thanks Tindris, might try that.

 

[froggyboy604]

You can go to a computer or electronic store to get a KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) switch/dock which let you use one set of keyboard and mouse and a VGA external monitor to use on two computers.

 

[crist]

I had the same issue, What i did is i upgraded by PC to better version, and the ni got another Notebook for second hand and now it's fine..

 

[Fergal]

You can go to a computer or electronic store to get a KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) switch/dock which let you use one set of keyboard and mouse and a VGA external monitor to use on two computers.

Thanks for the suggestion froggyboy604, I do really like that idea.

One issue I had with using my current monitor with my laptop was that I couldn't get the display settings right. I played around with the screen resolution, but I just couldn't get it set in such a way that it was comfortable to read text on the monitor when it was connected to the laptop. Any ideas?

 

[sapper]

You can go to a computer or electronic store to get a KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) switch/dock which let you use one set of keyboard and mouse and a VGA external monitor to use on two computers.

Thanks for the suggestion froggyboy604, I do really like that idea.

One issue I had with using my current monitor with my laptop was that I couldn't get the display settings right. I played around with the screen resolution, but I just couldn't get it set in such a way that it was comfortable to read text on the monitor when it was connected to the laptop. Any ideas?

Try downloading the drivers for the monitor onto your laptop

 

[froggyboy604]

You can go to a computer or electronic store to get a KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) switch/dock which let you use one set of keyboard and mouse and a VGA external monitor to use on two computers.

Thanks for the suggestion froggyboy604, I do really like that idea.

One issue I had with using my current monitor with my laptop was that I couldn't get the display settings right. I played around with the screen resolution, but I just couldn't get it set in such a way that it was comfortable to read text on the monitor when it was connected to the laptop. Any ideas?

You need to change the screen resolution to your monitor's native resolution if you are using a LCD monitor. You can find the native resolution of your monitor in your instruction manual, or on the monitor makers website.

To change the resolution, you right click your desktop then go to personalize in the right click menu. Click on the Display settings where you can change the resolution for your monitor.

 

[Fergal]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will try those.

 

[el canadiano]

You can always hook up your desktop parts and use your laptop as a desktop. Your laptop's screen can also double as a second monitor too, and that's very handy if you want to do work, let me tell you.

 

[jakebvs85]

I don't think there's a difference. If your just concerned with the internet speed, it does not have to do with the speed of the computer.🙂