Dual Monitors--The Only Way To Go

Last week I was in a hotel room, juggling four applications on my teeny, tiny notebook screen. I didn't realize till then how dependent I've become on my dual ViewSonic monitor setup at home.

If you're never had a dual monitor experience, you're missing out on both a higher level of productivity and more pleasurable computing.

Imagine seeing your e-mail app on one monitor and your browser in the other. Have a link in e-mail? Just drag it across the void onto the other monitor and into the browser. Ditto for scraping numbers from Word and popping them onto the other monitor displaying Excel. If you don't believe me, read what my buddy Tom Mainelli said when he upgraded to a dual monitor setup over 3 years ago (see GeekTech: Double Your Fun With a Second Monitor).

Just Do It
Most modern PCs have video adapters--either built into the motherboard, or a separate add-in card--that have dual monitor ports. Most of the time adding a second monitor is straightforward. Turn off your PC, connect the cable that comes with the monitor to the second port on the video adapter, and boot. Both XP and Vista will spot the other monitor (probably thinking "it's about time...") and talk you through the setup steps.

If you don't have dual ports, or you use a notebook, and still want a dual monitor setup, there are ways. My colleague, Eric Lai at Computerworld, explains how in Step-by-Step: A Three-Screen Workstation for $230 or Less. You can also read my ditty, Two Monitors Are Way Better Than One. If you're out of desktop space and into gadgets, check out the Two Monitors: Better Than One? video of Samsung's 22-inch 2263DX, which sports a secondary 7-inch monitor.

Tomorrow: The best monitor utility I've ever used.

Talkback
Have something to say about dual monitors? You can take the BuzzDash poll, use Comments below, or if you'd prefer, fire an e-mail right into my inbox.

Comments

I've been drooling for a Dual Monitor for a long time now. Not being the "Donald" I always figured my Dell 18" Ultra Sharp FP would be a starter with it. (DVI + VGA Ports) Space requirements limit me to a 19" maybe 2 21" monitors eventually so I would start with an 18" and a 21". Any problems except one will outshine the other? Jeff Smith Branchville, NJ

sjeffreya2

August 31, 2008

12:05 AM PT

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