Which Laptops Have HDMI Inputs?

Have you ever wanted to turn your laptop screen into a display? Say, you want to play in a much more personalized way and your TV is just too big to use, so you’re thinking of running your game through a laptop. 

While this is possible, you will need an HDMI input. 

And the big problem here is that almost 90% of laptops don’t have this port. Instead, they have an HDMI output.

We know, these terms can be confusing especially when you don’t get the concept of HDMI. 

So to help you figure these things out, we’ll walk you through what HDMI inputs are and why they’re rare with laptops. 

We’ll also suggest a few laptops with HDMI inputs as we go along. 

Quick Navigation

• What is the Difference Between HDMI Input and Output?
• Do Laptops Have HDMI Inputs?
• Which Laptops Have HDMI Inputs?
  • Alienware M17x R4
  • Alienware 18
  • mySN’s XMG8.c (Clevo X8100)
• How Do I Know if My Laptop has HDMI Inputs?
• Conclusion

What is the Difference Between HDMI Input and Output?

Before we go any further, you must know the differences between these two ports.  

And no, they’re not interchangeable nor are they similar. 

An HDMI input is a port that allows you to receive audio and video signals from another device. Once an HDMI cable is connected to that part, your device will play whatever it is the other device is feeding it.

On the other hand, an HDMI output is a port that sends out signals from your device to another. This is the HDMI port found in most laptops. 

Do Laptops Have HDMI Inputs?

Only a few laptops have HDMI inputs. As of 2021, we only know of a handful that have this port. 

There are several reasons why laptops don’t have HDMI inputs. 

The first is because your laptop was designed to receive audio and video signals from the motherboard alone. 

This means that it’s not capable of receiving signals from other sources through the HDMI port. 

The only way to bypass this is by using an adapter  that converts the audio and video signal coming from an external device to a USB output that you connect to your laptop.  

These adapters are often compatible with many laptops, so this is one of the easiest solutions. 

The second reason why laptops don’t have HDMI inputs is that they don’t have the hardware to convert or decode the signals coming from an external source passing through the HDMI port. 

Again, only a handful of laptops have this capability. 

Lastly, laptop screens use LCD which won’t be able to read the video signals that come from, say, an HD TV. 

Which Laptops Have HDMI Inputs?

We’ve listed down the top 3 laptops that have HDMI inputs. Let’s take a look at them. 

Alienware M17x R4

Alienware m17 R4, 17.3 inch FHD (Full HD) Gaming Laptop – Intel Core i7-10870H, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6, Windows 10…

• 17.3-inch FHD (Full HD 1920 x 1080) 360Hz 5ms 300-nits 100% sRGB color gamut with NVIDIA-GSYNC…
• 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10870H (8-Core, 16MB Cache, up to 5.0GHz Max Turbo Frequency)
• 16GB 2933MHz DDR4 , 1 TB PCIe SSD

Last update on 2023-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.

The Alienware M17x R4  is one of Dell’s most advanced gaming laptop notebooks. It uses a powerful AMD Radeon HD 7970M that’s perfect for gaming enthusiasts. 

Although the price of this gaming notebook can be a cause for people to hesitate in purchasing it, Dell made sure that its Ivy Bridge processor and 8GB RAM can impress you enough. 

Of course, these specs make this 17-inch laptop heavy. Unlike the usual 2-kilogram laptop, this gaming notebook goes as heavy as 4 kilograms! 

Now, when it comes to ports and connectivity, the Alienware M17x R4 has many of them. 

For starters, it has 5 USB ports, 4 of them are already compatible with a USB 3.0 connection. And for its HDMI ports, it has both output and input. 

Needless to say, the Alienware M17x R4 can be used as a second screen if you’re planning to connect your console to it. 

Alienware 18

Alienware 18 ALW18-7502sLV 18-Inch Laptop (Silver Anodized Aluminum) [Discontinued By Manufacturer]

• 4th Gen Intel Core i7-4710MQ processor
• 8 GB DDR3
• 1000 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive

Last update on 2023-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.

Just like the Alienware M17x R4, Dell didn’t skimp on specs for this gaming laptop. 

Unlike other gaming laptops sporting just one GPU, this model was designed to accommodate 2 GPUs! So if your priority is performance, this should be part of your list. 

To add to that, Alienware 18 has an 8GB RAM, 750GB hard drive, and an 18.4-inch Full HD screen. 

Again, it’s the price that might stop you on your tracks. So if you’re not willing to shell out a hefty amount of money, the Alienware 18 might just be too much for you. 

When it comes to connectivity, however, you’ll understand why this laptop is considered heavy-duty. 

It has 5 USB 3.0 ports, a 9-in-1 card reader, a mini DisplayPort, and an HDMI input port. 

mySN’s XMG8.c (Clevo X8100)

AVADirect’s Clevo X8100 Laptop Is Great for Gaming, But Huge and Heavy

Watch this video on YouTube

mySN’s XMG8.c, commonly known as Clevo X8100 is another laptop that has an HDMI input. 

But unlike the other two laptops mentioned here, this laptop is positioned to be a desktop PC replacement rather than a gaming laptop.  

With that said, the Clevo X8100 can have 2 to 8 GB of RAM, a single GPU, and an 18.4-inch Full HD screen. You can expect this laptop to weigh as much as 5.6 kilograms 

What’s great with the Clevo X8100 is that its processors are equipped to be a desktop PC replacement. While not as lightweight as we want it to be, it can get the job done. 

Moreover, it comes with a Turbo Boost feature that automatically improves the laptop’s performance. 

And for connectivity, there are 4 USB 2.0 ports, 4 audio sockets, and a 7-in-1 card reader. 

How Do I Know if My Laptop has HDMI Inputs?

The best way to know if your laptop has an HDMI input is to check its manual. The manual will state the types of ports that your laptop has. 

You can also check the retailer’s or the manufacturer’s website for the product specifications. 

We don’t recommend assuming that the HDMI port you find in your laptop is an HDMI input. This is because the ports for HDMI output and input are identical.  

The only difference between the two is the wirings inside the cables and the signals they transmit. 

Conclusion

It’s rare to find a laptop that has an HDMI input since laptops are mainly the ‘source’ of media in most cases. 

So unless you’re willing to buy a high-tech gaming laptop, you would have to find another device to use as a second screen. 

 

Vance Tran

Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.

404 – Pointer Clicker

Pointer Clicker is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read more.

We didn’t find the posts for that URL.

Latest Posts

The FaceTime app on Apple devices has revolutionized the way we communicate with friends, family, and colleagues.   With its seamless integration across various Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, FaceTime offers a convenient and reliable platform for video calls.  However, many users have faced challenges when trying to use FaceTime on their Apple TV.  …

Read More about How to Use The Newly FaceTime App on Your Apple TV: A Comprehensive Guide

Hey there, savvy parent! We’ve all been there – long car rides, waiting rooms, or simply places where Wi-Fi feels like a mythical creature. Not to mention those moments when you want to limit your child’s internet exposure. But keeping those energetic kiddos entertained can be a challenge, right? Well, breathe easy because we’ve got …

Read More about Fun Without Wi-Fi: Top Applications for Kids That Don’t Need Wi-Fi

Picture this: It’s a cozy evening, and there is nothing else you’d rather do than dive into the world of (HBO) Max on your Roku streaming stick. You pick your favorite program while eagerly adjusting to sink into the show.   But wait, there’s a glitch somewhere! Every time you hit play, you get a momentary …

Read More about (HBO) Max Is Not Working on Your Roku (Players, TCL TVs): Here’s How to Fix

Are you tired of the unsightly mess of TV cords and wires ruining the aesthetic of your living space? Whether you have a wall-mounted TV or not, dealing with cable clutter can be a frustrating challenge. But fear not, because we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive guide on how to hide TV wires to …

Read More about How to Hide TV Wires: A Complete Guide to Concealing Cables

Changing the router password can be a daunting task, especially when you’re not tech-savvy. If you’re in a similar situation and have accidentally messed up the password to your TP-Link router like this guy, don’t worry.  With the right guidance, you can easily change your TP-Link router password.  You have two options to change the …

Read More about How Can I Change My TP-Link Router Password?

Imagine the frustration of being a Roku user, like this guy, who spent countless hours trying to understand why reprogramming Roku remote buttons seems like an impossible task.   The search for answers often leads to the disappointing discovery that these buttons were supposedly “paid for.”  However, the desire for customization remains.  If you’re still keen …

Read More about Roku Remote Hacks: How to Reprogram Its Buttons

Like most TVs, your Roku TV has a small LED light on the front. The light helps indicate critical TV statuses. It usually denotes whether the device is powered off. When you press a key on the TV remote, the light blinks to indicate the TV received the command and shall respond. When the TV …

Read More about How to Fix Roku TV Blinking Red Light? (onn., Hisense, TCL, Sharp)

With the number of connected devices in our homes increasing, the need for a reliable, wide-spanning internet connection has also increased. Broadband Wi-Fi and cellular data have helped tremendously to meet the requirement, particularly wireless broadband internet. However, not all devices with a display use a SIM card. And Wi-Fi may not reach all corners …

Read More about MoCA vs. Ethernet 

As the name implies, the picture-in-picture (PIP) feature lets you overlay a small screen over the primary visual. It’s a handy feature when switching channels or wanting to keep an eye on the scoreboard while watching your favorite show. PIP also lets you see who’s at the door beckoning by popping up your smart home …

Read More about Can My Fire TV Device Do Picture-in-Picture (PIP)? (Fire TVs, Sticks, Cubes)

Are you wondering if it’s possible to use Netflix without the app?  The answer is yes, you can use Netflix without the app by accessing the Netflix.com website in a web browser. However, this functionality is not accessible on every device. Netflix allows this feature only on the following devices: Windows PCs or laptops running …

Read More about Can You Use Netflix Without the App? (iPhone, iPad, Android, Laptop)

Apple’s AirPods have swiftly taken the tech world by storm, becoming a must-have gadget for Apple enthusiasts and regular iPhone users alike. Besides offering high-quality sound, these wireless wonders allow users to integrate music and calls seamlessly into their daily routines. However, as the popularity of AirPods grows, so does the need to personalize them. …

Read More about Lend Your AirPods a Personality: A Guide to Funny, Badass, and Cute AirPods Names

Samsung TV+ is a streaming package that provides instant access to news, sports, and other entertainment programs at no extra cost. With Samsung TV+, you don’t need downloads, logins, additional devices, subscription fees, or credit cards. If Samsung TV+ is not working on your Samsung TV, you’re missing out. This situation can result from unsupported …

Read More about Why Won’t Samsung TV+ Work On My TV?

Roku is undoubtedly one of the most popular streaming platforms and purveyor of streaming devices globally. However, unlike much of its competition, Roku is prevalent mainly in the West. Its presence isn’t as robust outside the United States or South America. If you’re going abroad or vacationing in Europe or Asia, accessing Roku services, there …

Read More about Can You Use Roku Internationally? (Africa, Europe, Asia)

In the vast arena of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Canada, two giants stand out: Bell Canada and Rogers Communications.  Both companies have been providing internet services for many years and have built a reputation for delivering reliable and fast connections.  But with so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which provider …

Read More about Bell Internet vs. Roger Internet

Choosing a name for your Apple TV can be a daunting task. Sure, you could go with the basic “Living Room TV” or “Bedroom TV,” but where’s the fun in that? If you’re looking to add a little personality to your device, consider giving it a funny name that will make you smile every time …

Read More about 20 Funny Name Ideas for Your Apple TV

Dolby Vision (DV) was conceptualized to improve the viewing experience on TVs and other compatible displays. And it has achieved what it originally intended to do tremendously.  But DV is not without its practical difficulties, nor does everything Dolby Vision promises on paper translate into the real world. Dolby Vision does an excellent job of …

Read More about Why Does Your Dolby Vision Look Yellow?

Your Roku TV has it all: endless content, an incredible picture resolution, and an OS that’s easy to navigate. However, there’s one thing you still haven’t been able to figure out: How do you change your Roku TV’s input?  You’ve scoured your TV’s settings but can not find its input settings for the life of …

Read More about How to Change HDMI Input on Your Roku TV? Also, Set Its Default Input

Nowadays, most modern living rooms are defined by their TV, its size, orientation, and placement. Walk into almost anyone’s home and you’ll see that black screen at the epicenter of their living room, with almost every piece of furniture facing it.  While you do your fair share of TV watching, you hate the way TVs …

Read More about 11 Ingenious Hidden TV Ideas

You’re getting ready for a long transatlantic flight and are committed to staying entertained the entire time. You’ve packed a few books, snacks, and a sketchbook, but one thing is clearly missing: the music!  Since you’ll be several thousand feet in the air, you won’t be able to use your iPhone’s data or connect to …

Read More about Top 10 Music Apps for iPhone Without Wi-Fi (Free & Paid)

Hey there movie lover! Looking to have the ultimate movie night all to yourself? Well, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve got a fantastic lineup of ideas that will take your solo movie night experience to the next level. From cozy blankets and mouth-watering snacks to hot baths and plushies, get ready to create …

Read More about Me, Myself, and Movies: 15+ Ideas for Fun Solo Movie Nights

How to enable HDMI on a laptop: a cool guide from WiFiGid

HDMI is a multimedia connection interface that allows you to transfer a high quality picture with sound from a graphics card to a display. This interface has become the standard over the past 10 years, so it is equipped with all modern displays. As part of this instruction, we will consider connecting such displays via HDMI on a laptop.

Contents

1. Connection details
2. Connection instructions
3. Troubleshooting
4. Why does the HDMI port suffer from burn-in?
5. Conclusion
6. Ask the author of the article

Connection features

The HDMI interface allows you to transfer image and sound to displays in high resolution (even 8K). But, so that the signal is not lost during transmission, and the picture is not distorted, the cable length should be no more than 5 meters.

Since its inception (2002), the interface has gone through several stages of development. But what makes it remarkable is that the cables and ports of the new versions are backwards compatible with the old ones. The latest specification 2.1 was released in 2017. It supports screens up to 10K with refresh rates up to 120Hz. It has a bandwidth of up to 48 Gbps.

Connect disconnected devices from the power supply to each other so as not to burn the ports.

The connection is made using an HDMI male-male cable, but if there is no connector on the display, you can use adapters:

• HDMI (laptop) – DVI (display).
• HDMI – Display Port.
• Display Port – HDMI.

Find the HDMI port on the sides or back of the notebook. The same connector in the monitor and on the TV is located at the back, but sometimes it can be output from the front side, from below.

If you are connecting your laptop to any miniature device that uses a reduced interface connector, simply purchase a set of adapters for the cable.

If you connect the display to a laptop via HDMI, the picture will appear on it when the Windows operating system is loaded. If this does not happen, you should set the parameter for working with screens that you need in the OS settings.

Connection instructions

Instructions in video format are available here:

To connect a laptop to a monitor or TV via the HDMI output, you need to:

1. Turn off devices.
2. If you’re connecting to a TV with a cable TV plugged in, be sure to unplug that as well (protect your ports from burnout!).
3. Connect the port of the first and second device with a cable.
4. Turn on the display and load the notebook operating system.
5. At this point, a picture should appear on the second screen. In the display settings (with several channels of information output), select the desired one.
6. If there is no image or you need to set up another option for displaying information, press + I and go to the “System” – “Display” section.
7. Scroll down to the Display section and select one of the four display options.

8. Among the available ones are: duplicate these screens, expand the visible area, picture only on the main screen (on the laptop screen), picture only on the second screen (on the connected display).
9. Other settings are made in the “Advanced Display Settings” section. For example, there you can flip it by 90 degree screen display.

Troubleshooting

When connecting two devices with a single cable, there may be problems with either picture or sound. How to enable seamless picture and sound output via HDMI on a laptop? Follow the simple tips:

1. After connecting, restart your computer, and you can also turn off and on the TV.
2. Check outputs on both devices. It is unacceptable that the connectors dangle in the sockets. Due to “bad contact” on the screen of the second display, ripples, stripes, a predominance of green color, and the absence of a picture as a whole are possible.
3. Update the laptop graphics card drivers. Then do a computer restart.
4. If there is no sound only, in the “Sound” settings, check which device is now transmitted through the default device. Change the “Use by default” option to the desired playback source.

If the settings do not work, it may be due to the HDMI cable and device ports used. Check the cable for damage or use a different one to test the ports.

Use only good quality HDMI cables (with shield and thick braid) for connection.

Why is the HDMI port afraid of burnout?

Connecting a powered computer or laptop to the HDMI port of a monitor or TV can burn the ports. The fact is that there is a power supply voltage on the PC case. If a cable TV antenna is connected to the TV, then the “Earth” on the TV side has zero potential. When connecting the switched on laptop to the TV, due to the potential difference, a current will run through the HDMI cable, which the port cannot handle. The connector does not have additional protection with power supply circuits, and its contacts go directly to the chip. The chip cannot withstand the load and simply burns.

Connecting a switched on laptop and a TV is generally not as dangerous as a PC and a TV, but “hot plugging” of these two devices does not guarantee 100% protection. Also, hot plugging in general can be done between devices that are powered by their own battery (for example, a camcorder).

Conclusion

A quality male-to-male HDMI cable is required to connect the laptop and display. The main thing is to follow one simple rule: connect devices to each other with a completely disconnected power supply.

Connecting a laptop to a TV using DisplayPort and HDMI

Here’s what you need to know to connect a laptop or PC to a TV using high-speed HDMI or DisplayPort.
Your TV only has HDMI ports and never DisplayPort, but your laptop can have both HDMI and DisplayPort. Very often the mini version can only be HDMI or DisplayPort. And if you look at modern graphics cards, there are both types of ports.

!important;margin-right:auto!important”>

Contents

Toggle

Differences between HDMI and DisplayPort

HDMI is used more widely, while DisplayPort is used mostly only in expensive devices, and here’s why.

I won’t talk about the technical aspects. In short, these are similar ports for streaming video, just encoded differently. HDMI and DisplayPort are not free; you must pay a royalty to the manufacturer of HDMI and DisplayPort devices. But the main difference lies in the manufacturing cost of DisplayPort. DisplayPort is more expensive to manufacture because it is compatible with HDMI; if you have a DisplayPort output, you can stream video from it to HDMI. DisplayPort supports dual encoding; it requires two chips, so it’s more expensive; in addition, the latest versions of DisplayPort support higher video bit rates; it’s perfect for 8K video at 120fps.

!important;margin-top:15px!important;text-align:center!important”>

HDMI and DisplayPort royalties

Manufacturers of devices with these ports must pay a royalty to the copyright holder for using the technology. This fee is small and ultimately falls on the end user.

HDMI royalty: Wikipedia states that the HDMI royalty is 15 cents. But if you advertise HDMI and label the ports in the ad by mentioning that the device has HDMI ports, you can get a discount that can bring royalties down to 4 cents per device. Here is such an unobtrusive ad for HDMI. I tried to figure out the royalty rate for the HDMI port, but that requires submitting a request to hdmi.org, which takes time, so I decided to limit myself to the information available on Wikipedia.
DisplayPort royalty: Charge for each device with DisplayPort ports is 20 cents.

!important;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;display:block!important;padding:0;margin-top:15px!important;margin-right:auto!important;min-width:300px;min-height:250px”>

Connection, HDMI laptop to HDMI TV

With this configuration, all you have to do is buy an HDMI to HDMI cable, and many cables are available at various prices. When buying, pay attention to the technical characteristics of the cable. Modern HDMI cables comply with the 2.1 standard, which allows you to transfer video in 8K format. If the cable only supports 4K or, for example, speeds up to 18 Gb / s, it is most likely a cable of a lower standard. These are passive cables, and depending on the quality and length, an HDMI cable can cost anywhere from $2 to $40.

TV connection, laptop with DisplayPort to TV with HDMI

No problem with that either. DisplayPort lost the battle for the consumer segment and switched to more professional use. Accordingly, since 2015, almost all devices with DisplayPort ports are equipped with DisplayPort ++. The two pluses in DisplayPort mean that the port also supports the HDMI standard and automatically switches the transmitted protocol depending on the port on the TV, in our case. It doesn’t hurt to have a DisplayPort to HDMI cable to connect your laptop to your TV; they are also passive and have a small price. Because DisplayPort is large, the laptop manufacturer may install a mini display port. For example, Dell Latitude series laptops are equipped with mini DisplayPortI ports.

!important;margin-top:15px!important;margin-right:auto!important;display:block!important;text-align:center!important;line-height:0;padding:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;min-width:300px;min-height:250px;max-wi dth:100%!important”>

The edges of the picture on the laptop TV are cut off.

This is normal. Typically, the TV picture is set up to watch video from TV channels or streaming services, and the picture should fill the entire screen, so the default picture size is wide; you need to go to your TV picture settings and select 16x9or by screen size, depending on the TV model. There are about five settings; you can quickly try all of them to get an image without clipping the edges.

No sound on TV from laptop

I have experienced this problem several times; I connect my laptop to my LG TV and the image appears on the TV.