Can Surface Pro be used as a monitor?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

Absolutely! The Surface Pro can be used as a monitor or secondary display for your PC. I personally find this feature incredibly useful for multitasking and extending my workspace.

To set up your Surface Pro as a wireless display, you will need to make sure both your PC and Surface Pro are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then, on your PC, go to the “Settings” menu and select “System.” From there, click on “Projecting to this PC” and choose the “Available everywhere” option. This will allow your PC to be discoverable by other devices, including your Surface Pro.

On your Surface Pro, swipe in from the right edge of the screen to open the Action Center. Tap on the “Project” option and select “Connect to a wireless display.” Your PC should now appear in the list of available devices. Tap on it to connect.

Once connected, your Surface Pro will act as a wireless monitor for your PC. You can use the touch screen, mouse, keyboard, and even the Surface Pen to interact with your PC’s display. It’s like having an extra monitor that you can carry around with you!

I’ve personally found this feature to be incredibly convenient when I need to work on multiple tasks simultaneously. For example, I can have my main PC display my coding environment while using my Surface Pro as a secondary monitor to have my documentation or reference materials open. It allows me to have all the information I need right in front of me without constantly switching between windows or tabs.

One thing to note is that the wireless display feature does introduce some latency, so it may not be ideal for tasks that require precise and real-time interactions, such as gaming or video editing. However, for general productivity and multitasking purposes, it works really well.

In addition to using your Surface Pro as a wireless display, you can also connect it to your PC using a physical cable. The Surface Pro has a Mini DisplayPort, which you can use to connect it to your PC’s HDMI or DisplayPort output. This method usually provides a more responsive and reliable connection, but it does require a physical cable and may be less convenient if you frequently move around with your Surface Pro.

The ability to use your Surface Pro as a monitor or secondary display is a great feature that adds versatility to your setup. Whether you’re a student, professional, or just someone who likes to multitask, having an extra monitor can significantly enhance your productivity. So go ahead and give it a try!