Never show up without the right adapter.
Select your presentation device and the venue's display setup to generate a clear, crossable "Don't Forget" list for your gear bag. Ensure compatibility before you leave home.
Configuration
Your Ready-Bag Checklist
Select your configuration on the left to generate your needed items.
How to use this assistant
Presentations fail frequently because of simple mechanical mismatches between a modern laptop and a venue's projector system. This assistant bridges that gap.
Start by identifying what display output your laptop or tablet has. Modern MacBooks and many Windows machines use USB-C (which often supports Thunderbolt). Older laptops might have standard HDMI or Mini DisplayPort.
Next, determine what connections the venue provides at the podium or conference table. You often have to ask the coordinator for this. If they send a "Speaker Instructions" document, look for phrases like "We provide a standard HDMI connection at the lectern."
Based on your selections, we generate a specific checklist showing exactly which dongles, adapters, and backup cables you should pack in your tech bag.
Common Setups & Scenarios
Scenario A: USB-C laptop to an HDMI projector. You will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a multi-port hub. Check that your hub supports your required resolution (often 1080p is enough for presentations, but 4K might be needed for specific video playback).
Scenario B: The "Unknown Venue". If you aren't sure what the venue has, you should carry a multi-adapter suite. A common strategy is bringing a USB-C hub that includes both HDMI and VGA, as well as an HDMI-to-VGA adapter, covering 95% of hotel conference rooms.
Troubleshooting Display Issues
- No signal? Unplug from your computer, wait ten seconds, and plug back in. This forces the operating system to perform a new handshake with the display.
- Wrong resolution? Go to your display settings and disable "Mirror Displays" temporarily, check if the projector screen turns on, then re-enable mirror mode if necessary.
- No sound? Make sure you have selected the external display as your audio output device in your sound settings, not just the video settings.