Q: My old laptop's screen backlight has blown out ... try hitting the Command and F1 keys to switch OS X back to mirroring the built-in screen. You could also use a standard computer monitor for this ...

If you want to keep your laptop closed and use only the monitor, you can turn your laptop into a compact desktop setup with a few quick settings tweaks.

Laptops are convenient tools, but sometimes you need a bigger screen without the distraction and clutter of a dual-monitor setup.

Using a laptop as a monitor for another computer allows you to not only mirror your computer's screen on the laptop but also extend it, meaning you can show different content on both screens.