More and more computer users are using two or more computer screens to increase their productivity. Flat screen monitors that take up less desk space and innovative solutions that give users new ways to arrange multiple monitors are just two reasons for this phenomenon.
Using an External Monitor with a Laptop
One easy way to benefit from a dual monitor setup is to attach a second computer monitor to a laptop computer when the computer is used while sitting at a desk. By selecting "Extend the desktop onto this monitor" from the "Display Settings" options, the user can put different windows on each of the screens.
The trick is to position the rectangles (labeled "1" and "2" in the Display Settings options) so that they are positioned the same in relation to each other as the monitors themselves. For example, if the laptop is on the desktop to the left of the other monitor, then the number "1" rectangle should be to the left of the number "2" rectangle. Another popular option is to put the external monitor on a shelf above the level of the desktop and position the number "2" monitor above the number "1" monitor.
Once positioned, the user can drag any window to the external monitor, or even stretch a window across both monitors. An email can be open on the left, and a web browser on the right. A window that displays a video can be on the top screen while the user is working on a document in the bottom monitor. All of these benefits of a dual display configuration are possible without any modification being made to the laptop hardware.
Multiple Monitors with a Desktop Computer
Some hardware alteration is necessary to configure an out-of-the-box desktop computer to run with multiple monitors. Generally, video cards have one connection for a monitor. To run more than one, the video card needs to be replaced with another, or a separate video card needs to be added. This is an easy upgrade to make if the computer has an extra slot, which most of them do. A video card can be chosen that supports one monitor, which will allow the computer run two monitors if added to the first one. Or a dual-monitor card can be added, giving the computer the option to run three monitors.
Once the new card is in place, and the software that comes with it is installed, a different monitor can be connected to each of the video ports. They can be configured similarly to the way the laptop monitors, mentioned above, are configured. Or the software that comes with the video card may offer more options.
Another way to get this same multi-screen effect is to request an upgraded video card that supports two monitors or more when purchasing a new computer.
Benefits and Uses of a More Than One Monitor
Many of the benefits of multiple monitors are similar to those of having an extra large monitor. The user has more space to spread out the various windows that are open, so more of them can be seen at the same time. Computer productivity increases when the user can see each window that is open and doesn't have to switch between windows frequently.
Many Options
Many type of computer users can benefit from multiple monitors in some form. The laptop user can benefit from more screen space when using the computer at a desk. A videophile can watch videos on one screen while doing work or surfing the web on the other screen. A business user can multi-task with several applications, such as spreadsheets, a web browser, chat client and email messages, open across two or more monitors. A writer doing research can use multiple browsers, having one open on each screen.
Melissa Worcester - Melissa Worcester is a freelance writer, blogger, graphic designer and stay-at-home homeschooling mom. She writes about computer and ...
Join the Conversation