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Multiple Monitors
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Posted by Garland Coulson
Jan 17, 2013 at 01:23 AM
My son got me into multiple monitors when I saw him using them for music mixing.
Not that big, a 19” and a 17” connected to my laptop. But they have a big impact on my productivity. Usually one is my main working screen and the other is my reference. So if I am writing an article or course, I write on one and have the web or Evernote open on the other.
Next time I upgrade my computer, I am going to make sure it can handle 3 monitors.
Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Jan 17, 2013 at 08:30 AM
Garland Coulson wrote:
>Not that big, a 19” and a 17” connected to my laptop. But they have a
>big impact on my productivity.
[...]
>Next time I upgrade my computer, I am going to make sure it can handle 3
>monitors.
This might be a good place to mention a couple of testimonials on the issue:
Bill Gates: “On my desk I have three screens, synchronized to form a single desktop. I can drag items from one screen to the next. Once you have that large display area, you’ll never go back, because it has a direct impact on productivity.” taken from hos “How I work” contribution http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/30/news/newsmakers/gates_howiwork_fortune/
Asana cofounder Justin Rosenstein: “There’s research that shows you work faster when you have more pixels at your disposal” from http://www.businessweek.com/printer/magazine/asana-dustin-and-justins-quest-for-flow-11022011.html
Postings here appear to concur with the above stance.
I myself have not spent long periods with multiple monitors so I do not have a strong and well documented opinion. My overall impression is that multiple monitors are more useful in multitasking or composite activities, e.g. write an email where you need to reference a document, a news article and some relevant social media discussions; you can keep all these open in a couple of monitors rather than cycle between them—and other, possibly distracting, stuff.
However, for more “abstractly intensive” work, e.g. brainstorming or concept development, I find the window behind my monitor more useful than an additional screen.
Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Jan 18, 2013 at 08:15 PM
Here’s an alternative to working with two monitors
http://en.community.dell.com/dell-blogs/direct2dell/b/direct2dell/archive/2012/11/16/new-dell-ultrasharp-u2913wm-29-ultra-wide-monitor-seamlessly-blends-work-and-play.aspx
Posted by shatteredmindofbob
Jan 18, 2013 at 09:56 PM
Alexander Deliyannis wrote:
Here’s an alternative to working with two monitors
>http://en.community.dell.com/dell-blogs/direct2dell/b/direct2dell/archive/2012/11/16/new-dell-ultrasharp-u2913wm-29-ultra-wide-monitor-seamlessly-blends-work-and-play.aspx
Interesting, but also $700.
Posted by WSP
Jan 19, 2013 at 01:50 AM
I’m astonished at how many of the folks here are using multiple monitors. On my fairly large study desk I have (1) a large scanner, (2) a small compartmentalized box that holds pens, scissors, magnifying glass, etc., (3) a mouse, (4) a mousepad, (5) a monitor, (6) a keyboard, (7) a row of books (behind the monitor), (8) a radio/CD player, (9), a lamp, (10) an iPad, and (11) miscellaneous pieces of paper, notepad, and a few scattered books.
How in the world would I squeeze in a second monitor? The rest of you must have exceptionally clean and tidy desks. I admire you.
Bill