If you’ve ever tried to connect a device to your laptop screen, you may have noticed that most laptops only come with an HDMI output, not an HDMI input. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to play a game on a smaller screen or want to use your laptop as a secondary monitor. In this article, we’ll explain why laptops don’t have HDMI input and what you can do instead.
Why Don’t Laptops Have HDMI Input?
The short answer is that it’s not necessary. Laptops are designed to be portable, and they already come with a built-in display. The HDMI port on a laptop is primarily used for outputting the laptop’s display to an external monitor or TV. This allows you to extend your screen or use a larger display for presentations, gaming, or watching movies.
However, some people may wonder if they can use their laptop screen as a secondary display for another device. Unfortunately, this is not possible with most laptops. As mentioned earlier, the HDMI port on a laptop is typically an output port, not an input port. This means that it’s designed to send signals out, not receive them.
What’s the Difference Between HDMI Input and Output?
To understand why laptops don’t have HDMI input, it’s essential to know the difference between HDMI input and output. An HDMI output port sends signals from a device to an external display, while an HDMI input port receives signals from another device and displays them on the screen.
Think of it this way: an HDMI output is like a projector, while an HDMI input is like a screen. You can use a projector to display images or videos onto a screen, but you can’t use a screen to project images or videos onto another surface.
What Can You Do Instead?
If you need to connect another device to your laptop screen, there are a few alternative options. One option is to use a VGA or DVI cable, which can provide similar functionality to HDMI. However, keep in mind that these cables are becoming less common, and you may need an adapter to connect them to your laptop.
Another option is to use a USB-to-HDMI adapter. These devices allow you to connect an HDMI cable to your laptop’s USB port, effectively adding an HDMI input to your laptop. However, these adapters can be expensive and may not support high-resolution displays or fast refresh rates.
Difference between HDMI input and HDMI output:
There are two types of HDMI ports: input and output. An HDMI input is a port that takes audio and video signals from another device, like a TV or computer.
An HDMI output sends signals from your device to another device. However, the HDMI input cable goes into that port to make your device play what the other device sends.
So, we can’t say these both are similar. An HDMI input receives signals, and an HDMI output sends signals.
Why Do Laptops Not Have An HDMI Input?
Laptops usually do not have HDMI input. They have HDMI outputs. There are many reasons why don’t laptop have HDMI input?
It is because laptops are not supposed to take HDMI signals or video for display. Instead, they send a digital signal to an external device through the HDMI output.
Many laptop manufacturers do not put HDMI input ports on their laptops because it would be an expensive addition that would only make the laptop more expensive.
Some users do not need an HDMI input and will not use their laptop for this purpose (as a secondary display).
Some laptops don’t have HDMI ports because they can’t understand the signals from an external source.
Your laptop screen might not show pictures or videos from external devices because it uses a different signal. That signal is called Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS).
It is a short cable, so it uses less power. HDMI signals need more power, which is why they are rarely used.
Your laptop would need special hardware to understand the HDMI signal, and only a few laptops on the market have that ability. Those laptops are more expensive than most other laptops.
Read: Best Laptop Accessories and Peripherals for Productivity
How Do I Get HDMI Input On My Laptop?
Indeed it is a very complicated thing, Why don’t laptops have HDMI input? But still you get the HDMI Input on your own.
Because some people need an HDMI input for their laptops. You can buy a converter if you don’t want to buy a new laptop. It is called a Game Capture device.
It will capture the HDMI signal and turn it into a format your laptop can understand. This device will let you use your laptop as a second screen to show video from devices like the PS4, Xbox, or PS5.
Best Laptop with HDMI Input
Buying a laptop can be confusing. Because most of the people still don’t know Why don’t laptops have an HDMI input?.
That’s why It’s hard to know which one is right for you. But don’t worry, we can help. It’s essential to think about what you’ll use your laptop for.
Some laptops have a better HDMI connection than others. So if that’s important to you, think about buying one of the suggested laptops. Let’s discuss the options in detail.
HP 15.6-inch Laptop
Specification
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- Storage: 8.0 GB
- CPU Speed: 4.2 GHz
- Battery: up to 7 hours
- Display size: 15.6 inches
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
It is an excellent laptop for people who want a large screen. It has a fast processor, and it’s easy to use.
This laptop has a screen size of 15.6 inches. However, this is a good size for gaming and office work because the display is full HD.
It also has a thin bezel display, meaning that the screen takes up most of the space in front of the computer. Plus, it has graphics that will make your gaming and other visuals look fantastic.
This laptop is excellent for people who need to do a lot of work. It has a fast processor and a big hard drive. The battery lasts for a long time, and it gets charged quickly.
It also has an HDMI port. This laptop is easy to carry. It is lightweight, so you can take it wherever you go. The screen and body are thin and light, so it will be easy to fit in small spaces.
LENOVO YOGA
Specification
- Operating System: Windows 10 S
- Storage: 8 GB
- CPU Speed: 1.6 GHz
- Battery: up to 12 hours
- Display size: 15.6 inches
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
If you are a person who is curious about Why don’t laptops have HDMI input? Then, the Lenovo YOGA is an outstanding laptop to buy for you. It has an HDMI input, which is helpful.
The touch screen human interface makes it easy to use and works well. You can use it for gaming, business, or personal tasks.
It has a screen size of 15.6 inches. The HD quality of the screen is excellent. This laptop is good at doing a lot of things at the same time. Eight-way Quad-core helps it do multiple tasks quickly.
Using the thunderbolt port, you can also connect advanced monitors and external drives to it.
This laptop has a built-in HD webcam. You can use it to do video chatting. It also has two array microphones, which means the sound will be good.
ACER PREDATOR
Specification
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Storage: 16 GB
- CPU Speed: 4.5 GHz
- Battery: up to 6 hours
- Display size: 15.6 inches
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
The Acer Predator Helios is a great gaming laptop for people who want an HDMI input. It has superior performance and great features, like an RGB backlit keyboard with a mini LED backlight.
Plus, it comes with an HDMI port which is good. The laptop has a 15.6-inch screen which is perfect for gaming laptops.
The LED-backlit full HD IPS display lets you see pictures and videos perfectly from any angle.
The Acer Predator Helios is the best laptop for people who want a fast and smooth performance. This laptop has a powerful processor that lets you do many things simultaneously.
The laptop also has a 144Hz refresh rate. It is good because it makes the picture look smooth.
The laptop also has a fan that helps keep it from overheating. It comes with lots of ports, including MiniDP, USB 3.2, and HDMI 2.1.
ASUS VIVOBOOK
Specification
- Operating System: ASUS VivoBook F510
- Storage: 8 GB
- CPU Speed: 3.4 GHz
- Battery: up to 5 hours
- Display size: 15.6 inches
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
The ASUS VivoBook laptop is an excellent choice because it has many essential features for people.
It has an HDMI input, which means you can connect it to other devices like TVs or projectors.
It also has a light build, making it easy to carry around, and a large memory size. Finally, its screen resolution is very high so that the image will look clear and crisp.
This laptop is amazing. It has a 1.6 GHz processor and an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 8250U. It also has a lot of ports.
You might be wondering Why dont laptops have HDMI input? Well, ASUS has an HDMI port for fast data transfer between devices.
And finally, it has a built-in fingerprint sensor, so you can easily log in without typing in passwords or pin codes.
MACBOOK PRO 14
Specification
- Operating System: Mac OS
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- CPU Speed: 3.2 GHz
- Battery: up to 17 hours
- Display size: 14 inches
- Screen Resolution: 3024 x 1964 pixels
The 2021 Apple MacBook Pro is a perfect laptop with HDMI input. It’s a popular one that a lot of people like. It’s heavier than some other laptops, but it can still easily carry around.
It also has a perfect webcam for video conferences and zoom meetings. The MacBook from Apple has a 14-inch screen.
This screen is phenomenal because it is bright and it shows real-life colours. The resolution for this screen is 3024 by 1964 pixels.
Plus, the MacBook has ProMotion technology, which increases the screen refresh rate to 120 Hz. This Apple device is powerful.
It has a CPU speed of 3.2 GHz to ensure you have the best performance every time. Plus, it also comes with storage of 1TB.
You can connect to fast things with its HDMI port, USB C port, and SDXC card slot. The battery life is perfect, and you can work, play games, or watch your favourite shows for up to 17 hours on one charge.
HP PAVILION 15
Specification
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
- Storage: 8 GB
- CPU Speed: 4.2 GHz
- Battery: up to 11 hours
- Display size: 15.6 inches
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Sometimes, it’s hard to know Why don’t laptops have HDMI input. Because many people are not into tech and want easy things for them.
So, if you are searching for a laptop which has an HDMI port then it is an outstanding laptop.
It’s swift and has a lot of memory. You can do multiple things at the same time. The keypad is backlit and has a fingerprint sensor to unlock it quickly.
It also has a built-in webcam for talking to your friends. Plus, it’s a thin laptop with excellent build quality. This HP laptop has a big screen perfect for watching movies or playing games.
It also has a touchscreen display, which makes it easy to control what is happening on the screen.
The best part is that you can do multiple things simultaneously without the laptop slowing down.
Plus, with a fast charger, the battery life is up to 11 hours. You can connect to other devices with USB Type A, USB Type C, Ethernet port, and HDMI port.
ACER ASPIRE E15
Specification
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pros
- Storage: 6 GB
- CPU Speed: 3.6 GHz
- Battery: up to 8 hours
- Display size: 15.6 inches
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
The Acer Aspire E15 is a great Laptop to buy. It has some good features, like a 512 GB SSD Turbo speed, UHD graphics 620, and 256 flash memory.
From its outstanding performance to its appealing design, this device has many things that make it a favourite. Its thin and light design makes it easy to carry around and keep.
Plus, it has a full HD 15.6-inch display screen perfect for playing games, streaming videos, and reading e-books.
This device is ideal for doing your daily tasks. Acer Aspire E15 Notebook has a high-speed 3.6 GHz CPU processor that makes it perfect for anything you need to do.
Plus, the IPS (In-plane switching technology) feature means you can share pictures or videos with other people easily. This Acer Aspire E15 offers a lot of different ports and ways to connect.
You can use Bluetooth or wireless connections without worrying about cables. This laptop also features built-in Wi-Fi that makes it easy to connect quickly.
ASUS VIVOBOOK 15
Specification
- Operating System: Windows 10 S
- CPU Speed: 3.4 GHz
- RAM: 128 GB
- Battery: up to 6 hours
- Display size: 15.6 inches
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
This ASUS laptop comes in a slate grey colour that is unique and stylish. It has an HDMI port, which is excellent for people who are on a budget and want a pocket-friendly laptop.
In addition, the laptop has a backlit keyboard and fingerprint sensor to make typing smooth and easy.
This is perfect for you if you want an affordable gaming computer with an HDMI input. This laptop has a giant screen that makes pictures and videos look good.
It also has Intel UHD graphics, which makes it worth double. It also has a lot of memory so that you can store many things.
This laptop is perfect for people who need to connect to many devices. It has three different types of ports that allow you to connect to many different things without problems.
Conclusion
So, now you know the reason why don’t laptops have HDMI input? The ones that do have it are pretty expensive.
If you want a laptop with HDMI input, check the specs and reviews before buying it.
Knowing what you will be using the laptop for is also essential.
Some laptops are better for gaming, while others are better for general use. Whatever you decide, get a laptop with HDMI input that will suit your needs.
You can also choose the laptop from our suggested models. All these laptops come with HDMI input and output so that you can connect them to any device without any problems. They are affordable and have great specs that make them perfect for everyone.
However, our personal favorite is MacBook Pro 14 because when it comes to technical stuff, no one can beat Apple Company.
So, if you have a heavy budget and are looking for a perfect laptop with HDMI input, go for MacBook Pro 14 without any second thoughts.
We hope this article has helped you in some way and you will be able to find the perfect laptop for yourself.
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