Ubuntu dual-screen configuration actual combat: ThinkPad T570 external monitor, the left screen and the right are more convenient

Recently, I have extended a Samsung 22-inch external monitor for my ThinkPad T570, which has easily realized dual-screen expansion through the graphical interface under the latest version of Ubuntu. finalize ‘The external monitor is on the left, the notebook screen is on the right’ The layout of the work area is instantly spacious. This article will complete the operation steps and attach screenshots of key interfaces.

1. Preparations

• Notebook: ThinkPad T570 (built-in screen)
• external monitor: Samsung 22 inches (connected via HDMI/VGA)
• operating system: Ubuntu latest version (desktop environment GNOME)

Once the cable is connected, the system usually recognizes the external monitor automatically, but the default may be in mirror mode or not arranged correctly. We next go to the settings adjustments.

2. Graphical interface setting steps

Ubuntu’s own ‘display settings’ are enough to complete all configurations without the command line.

1. Open display settings

in the desktop blankright click, the pop-up menu is as follows (see Figure 1):

Figure 1 Desktop right-click menu
New folder
Stick
Select all
Arrange Icons
Sort by way…
Show desktop in file manager
open in terminal
Change wallpaper…
Desktop icon settings
show settings ← Click this

2. Select ‘Add Display’ (Extended Mode)

At the top of the Display Settings window, you will see the ‘Multi-Monitor’ drop-down option:

• join – is what we needExtended mode, the two screens together form a large desktop.
• Mirror – Both screens display the same content.

Choose here ‘Join’. As shown in Figure 2.

3. Adjust the left and right positions

By default, external monitors may be placed on the right side of the notebook screen. we need to move it toLeft side, to match the actual physical placement.

• In the ‘Display Arrangement’ area of the settings interface, you will see two rectangular icons representing ‘Built-in monitors’ and ‘SamsungelectricCompany22’ respectively.
• directly with the mouseDrag the rectangle of the external monitor, put it in the rectangle of the notebook screenLeft.
• A new relative position is displayed above, such as ‘Left: Samsung Electric Company 22”.

4. Set the main monitor (optional)

The main monitor will display the top bar, the active button, and the location that pops up by default in the new window. According to your usage habits, you can keep the notebook as the home screen, or you can set the external monitor as the home screen. Click the icon on behalf of a screen on the interface, and then check ‘Main Display’.

5. Apply and confirm

Click on the upper right corner ‘Application’ button. The system will keep the new configuration for 20 seconds, and a dialog box will pop up asking if the changes are reserved. Click after confirmation ‘Preserve Changes’.

The final effect

After the configuration is complete, the two screens work normally, the Samsung external monitor on the left and the ThinkPad built-in screen on the right. Mouse and window can move smoothly between two screens.

4. Matters needing attention

1. Resolution and scaling: If the external monitor is too small or too large, you can adjust theResolutionAndzoom ratio. For example, a 22-inch 1080p screen, 100% for scaling recommendations; a notebook 14-inch screen may be more comfortable to scale by 125%.
2. The placement is consistent with the mouse movement: The relative position in the settings must be consistent with the actual physical placement, so that the mouse will be moved out from the right edge of the left screen, and then it will naturally enter the right screen.
3. luminous and color temperature: If you feel that the external monitor is dazzling, you can turn on the ‘luminous’ function and adjust the color temperature (see the lower left corner of Figure 2).
4. drive issue: If the external monitor cannot be recognized or the resolution is abnormal, you can check the graphics card driver (especially the NVIDIA graphics card), which can generally be solved after the update.

5. Summary

This configuration uses the Ubuntu graphical interface for the whole process, and does not need to memorize any commands, and the dual-screen expansion is completed within a few minutes.‘Join’ mode + drag arrangementIt is the most critical two steps. If you also use an external monitor of your notebook, you might as well try to put the external screen on the left side – for codewords, reading documents, and putting reference web pages, the main work area on the left and the notebook on the right are used as auxiliary, which is very smooth.

I hope this blog can help friends who also need dual screens. If you have any questions, please leave a message to exchange!