Students, faculty, and staff can connect their Mac to an external display.

Connecting a Mac (Depending on Age)

The number of available options for connecting your Mac depends on the age of your computer.

2012 - 2015

MacBook Air/Pros from 2012-2015 can use the following adapters:

Thunderbolt 2/Mini DisplayPort to:

  • VGA
  • HDMI
  • DisplayPort
  • DVI

2016 - Present

The MacBook/Air/Pro from 2016-Present can connect using the following Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) adapters:

Thunderbolt 3 to:

  • VGA
  • HDMI
  • Displayport
  • DVI

USB-C HDMI-Enabled Classrooms

ITS is adding USB-C HDMI cables to UConn classrooms; your classroom may already have one built-in. This means you will not need an adapter, and you will see the USB-C HDMI option on the touch panel.

  1. Connect the proper adapter to the available display cable (VGA,HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI).

  2. Connect the adapter to your laptop.

  3. Turn on the monitor.

  4. Change the input of the monitor to the input you are using.

    Monitors

    Please note that not all monitors change input the same way.

Changing MacOS Display Settings

  1. Click the Apple icon in the top left corner.
  2. Select System Preferences.
  3. Select Displays from the second row.
  4. Under the Displays window, select the Arrangementtab.
  5. The Mirror Displaycheck box is located in the bottom left corner. This option duplicates what is being shown on the laptop screen to the projector. If you do not wish to have the same windows on both screens, do not check this box.

Mirrored Desktop

  1. A secondary window will appear with options to adjust the resolution when the Mirror Displayoption is checked. On the Displaywindow, select the Display tab.
  2. From the Optimize fordrop down menu, select Display.
  3. Select the Scaled option just below the drop-down menu.
  4. Depending on the display and the connection type, you will be offered multiple resolutions. Select the resolution that works best for you.

Extended Desktop

If the desktop is extended, you need to use both your MacBook screen and the classroom preview screen to adjust resolution.

  1. Deselect theMirrored Display option under the Display Menu.

  2. On the classroom preview monitor you will see aDisplaywindow. Scroll to the right to access the second screen.

  3. Select the Display tab on this window.

  4. Select the Scaled option.

  5. Depending on the display and the connection type, you will be offered multiple resolutions. Select the resolution that works best for you.

  6. After these settings have been adjusted, they will become the default settings for when you connect your laptop to the same external monitor.
  7. Close all windows related to Display and System Preferences.