Harness the Power: Transforming Your Surface Pro into a Secondary Display

So, you’re looking to leverage the sleek portability and stunning display of your Surface Pro to expand your workspace? Excellent choice! While the Surface Pro is a powerhouse standalone device, its crisp screen makes it a fantastic secondary monitor. Let’s cut to the chase: Directly connecting a Surface Pro as a monitor isn’t possible with a single cable out of the box. Microsoft didn’t design it to function as a passive display receiver in that traditional sense. However, fear not! We have effective workarounds to achieve your goal: Wireless projection using the built-in Miracast protocol, or using a remote desktop application.

Method 1: Unleash Wireless Freedom with Miracast

Miracast is a wireless display technology that allows you to mirror or extend your screen to a compatible device—in this case, your Surface Pro. This is arguably the simplest and most convenient method, especially if you value a cable-free setup.

Step-by-Step Guide to Miracast

1. Check for Compatibility: Ensure both your primary device (the one you’re extending from) and your Surface Pro support Miracast. Most modern Windows laptops and Android devices do, but it’s always wise to confirm in your device’s specifications.

2. Enable Wireless Projection on Your Surface Pro:

   • On your Surface Pro, go to Settings > System > Projecting to this PC.
   • Set “Windows Mobility Center” to “Available everywhere on secure networks” or “Available everywhere”. The second option gives maximum compatibility, although “secure networks” may be more desirable for privacy reasons.
   • Adjust other settings like requiring a PIN for pairing if desired. This adds a layer of security, particularly in shared workspaces.
   • Note the PC name that appears at the top of this screen. You’ll need this later.

3. Connect from Your Primary Device:

   • Windows PC: Press the Windows key + K to open the “Connect” pane. Your Surface Pro should appear in the list (using the PC name you noted earlier). Click on it to initiate the connection.
   • Android Device: The process varies slightly depending on your Android device manufacturer, but generally, you’ll find the screen mirroring option in your quick settings panel or display settings (look for terms like “Cast,” “Smart View,” or “Wireless Display”). Select your Surface Pro from the list of available devices.

4. Choose Your Display Mode: Once connected, you’ll be prompted to choose how you want to use your Surface Pro as a display. You’ll typically have options like:

   • Duplicate: Mirrors your primary screen onto the Surface Pro.
   • Extend: Extends your desktop, allowing you to drag windows and applications onto the Surface Pro screen. This is ideal for increasing productivity.
   • Second screen only: Makes the Surface Pro the primary display, turning off the main device’s display.

Troubleshooting Miracast

• Connection Issues: Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network (or that Wi-Fi Direct is enabled if not on a network). Restart both devices.
• Lag or Stuttering: Miracast relies on a stable Wi-Fi connection. Try moving closer to your router, or consider using a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network if available, as it generally experiences less interference. Close unnecessary applications running in the background.
• Display Problems: Check your display resolution settings on both devices. Mismatched resolutions can sometimes cause issues.

Method 2: Harness Remote Desktop for Seamless Integration

Another effective method is to use Remote Desktop. While technically not turning your Surface Pro into a monitor, it achieves a similar outcome by allowing you to control your primary device from your Surface Pro, effectively using the Surface Pro’s screen as a remote window.

Step-by-Step Guide to Remote Desktop

1. Enable Remote Desktop on Your Primary PC (the PC You Want to Control):
   • Windows 10/11: Go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
   • Toggle the “Enable Remote Desktop” option to “On”.
   • Important: Make a note of the PC name listed on this screen, you’ll need it later.
   • You may also need to create a user account with a password if one doesn’t exist, and give that user Remote Desktop permissions.
2. Install a Remote Desktop Client on Your Surface Pro:
   • Microsoft Remote Desktop: The official Microsoft Remote Desktop app is available for free in the Microsoft Store. Install it on your Surface Pro.
3. Connect to Your Primary PC:
   • Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on your Surface Pro.
   • Click “+ Add PC”.
   • Enter the PC name (the one you noted earlier) or IP address of your primary PC.
   • Enter the username and password for an account on your primary PC that has Remote Desktop permissions.
   • Click “Connect.”
4. Optimize Your Remote Desktop Experience: Once connected, you can adjust settings within the Remote Desktop app to optimize your experience. This includes:
   • Display Resolution: Match the resolution of your primary PC for the best visual clarity.
   • Color Depth: Increase the color depth for richer visuals (but be mindful of potential performance impacts).
   • Sound: Choose whether to play sound on your primary PC, your Surface Pro, or both.

Troubleshooting Remote Desktop

• Connection Issues: Ensure both devices are on the same network. Verify that Remote Desktop is enabled on your primary PC and that the firewall isn’t blocking the connection (the Remote Desktop setup process should automatically configure the Windows Firewall, but it’s good to check).
• Performance Issues: Remote Desktop relies on a stable network connection. Reduce the color depth or display resolution if you experience lag.
• Authentication Issues: Double-check your username and password. Ensure that the user account has Remote Desktop permissions on the primary PC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to using a Surface Pro as a secondary display:

1. Can I use a USB-C to HDMI cable to connect my Surface Pro as a monitor directly? No. The Surface Pro’s USB-C port is designed for video output, not input. It cannot receive a video signal from another device to act as a traditional monitor.

2. Does the Surface Pro have a DisplayPort input? No, the Surface Pro does not have any video input ports, including DisplayPort. It is designed primarily as a standalone device, not a secondary monitor via direct cable connection.

3. Is Miracast secure? Miracast uses WPA2 encryption, which provides a reasonable level of security for most home and office environments. For sensitive data, consider using a VPN. You can also set a PIN requirement on the Surface Pro to authorize new connections.

4. Will using Miracast or Remote Desktop drain my Surface Pro’s battery faster? Yes, both methods will consume more battery power than simply using the Surface Pro as a standalone device. Wireless communication and screen usage are battery-intensive. Adjust your screen brightness and close unnecessary apps to conserve power.

5. What are the advantages of using Remote Desktop over Miracast? Remote Desktop offers better security and control. You’re essentially controlling your primary PC remotely, so data isn’t being directly mirrored. Remote Desktop also often provides a more stable and responsive experience, especially over less-than-ideal Wi-Fi connections.

6. Can I use a USB capture card to turn my Surface Pro into a monitor? While technically possible, using a USB capture card isn’t recommended for general secondary display purposes. Capture cards are designed for recording video, and the latency (delay) introduced by the capturing and processing steps can make it frustrating for interactive use.

7. Why can’t Microsoft just add a video input port to the Surface Pro? Adding a video input port would increase the device’s thickness and complexity, potentially compromising its sleek design and portability. Microsoft likely opted for wireless solutions to maintain the Surface Pro’s form factor.

8. Can I use a docking station to achieve a direct connection? No, docking stations for the Surface Pro extend the existing ports (USB, Mini DisplayPort for output, etc.) but they do not add video input capabilities.

9. Is there a noticeable delay when using Miracast or Remote Desktop? Yes, there may be a slight delay, especially with Miracast over a congested Wi-Fi network. Remote Desktop can also experience latency, depending on network conditions. The delay is usually minimal and acceptable for general productivity tasks, but it might be noticeable for fast-paced games or video editing.

10. How do I disconnect Miracast? On your primary device (Windows PC), press Windows key + K again to open the “Connect” pane and click “Disconnect”. On Android devices, you’ll usually find a disconnect button within the casting settings. On the Surface Pro, the connection will automatically close when the primary device disconnects, or you can disable Projecting to this PC under system settings.

11. Are there any third-party apps that offer better screen mirroring or remote desktop performance? While Microsoft’s built-in tools are generally reliable, some users report better performance with third-party apps like spacedesk. Experiment to find what works best for your setup.

12. Can I use a Surface Go as a monitor for my Surface Pro using these methods? Yes! The same principles apply. You can use Miracast or Remote Desktop to use any Windows device, including a Surface Go, as a secondary display for another device.

By mastering these techniques, you can transform your Surface Pro into a valuable extension of your digital workspace, boosting your productivity and maximizing the potential of this versatile device. Now go forth and conquer your multi-screen endeavors!