My previous client provided dual monitors at all workstations. While at first this seemed a little gimmicky, very quickly the incredible value became obvious. If you’ve ever worked with two monitors, you probably understand what I’m talking about. If you’ve never had the pleasure of using such a set-up, you may be in for a wonderful surprise.
Like many others, I use a laptop as my primary computer. My Toshiba makes it very easy to power and configure an external monitor. Recently I purchased a 19″ Samsung 953BW which is crisp, bright and clear. Most other laptops also provide easy configuration which will allow you to use the built in monitor as monitor 1, and the external monitor as monitor 2. If you have a desktop machine, you may have to purchase a second display card. You can contact the place you purchased your PC for information on what you need and how to configure it.
Using dual monitors allows you to eliminate a lot of scrolling and window switching. You may not even be aware of how often you are moving things around now. It’s very easy to get used to two monitors and to determine the best way for you to work with them. I find that I use the external monitor to keep my Firefox browser window open (usually to my Gmail account). When writing or editing documents, I do my main writing on the left, and keep any and all reference documents on the right. This has greatly reduced my need to print out documents and reference material.
If you decide to take the plunge and purchase a second monitor, Lifehacker has an excellent guide to making the most of your dual monitors.
Enjoy!
Alec
(Image by reway2007 on flickr)
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