How to Connect Nintendo Switch to a Laptop
To play your Nintendo Switch on your laptop, you basically use your laptop’s monitor as a TV screen, so you can leave your Nintendo Switch in its dock for the entirety of this setup process.
About Capture Cards
You can use any capture card for this process as long as it has a USB-C connection and an HDMI In port. There are several great capture cards to choose from, but gamers generally consider Elgato cards best because of their affordability, build quality, and ease of use. If you’re using another capture card to connect your Switch to your laptop, the steps should be identical. Similarly, most game capture software works the same way, so if you have another program you prefer to use, you can use that instead of Game Capture HD.
Another Way to Play Nintendo Switch Games on Your Laptop
If you don’t have an HDMI capture card and can’t afford to buy one, a solid alternative is to play the PC versions of your favorite Nintendo Switch games on your laptop. Many Nintendo Switch controllers are also compatible with laptops or desktop computers, so you won’t need to learn new controls. Except for first-party franchises such as Super Mario, Animal Crossing, and Pokemon, many of the video games available on the Nintendo Switch are also available from the Microsoft Store app store on Windows 10, Epic Games, or Steam. Some popular online games, such as Minecraft and Fortnite, even support cross-save between devices. That means you can continue a game you started on your Nintendo Switch on your laptop, then carry all of that progress back over to your Switch when you’re ready.
