Edit: I did get that USB monitor. And I added a few more to my desktop for good measure.
Originally posted June 21, 2016 on AIXchange
Over the years I’ve discovered that you can never have too many monitors connected to your system. I’m reminded of this whenever I go on the road with a laptop and single screen.
One of these days — even though it will mean adding still more weight to my bag — I’ll break down and get a USB monitor for my laptop:
“If you want the screen space of a traditional monitor mated with the kind of portability you can slip into your laptop’s carrying case, there’s a whole sub-class of monitors designed just for you. These products exist in a sort of limbo between full-size monitors and tablet screens in terms of screen size, resolution, and contrast.”
I find a minimum of two monitors helps me multitask. I can be using one screen that’s logged into a system, while my other screen can be reserved for documentation, or for reading one thing while working on another.
I consider 3-5 monitors a pretty good sweet spot, though someday — someday — I hope to procure a wall of monitors like these.
There are other multi-monitor advocates out here. This article notes that there are productivity benefits to dual monitor usage. This PCWorld piece gets into some of the other benefits.
“Having multiple monitors (and I’m talking three, four, five, or even six) is just…awesome, and something you totally need in your life.
Right now, my main PC has a triple-monitor setup: my main 27-inch central monitor and my two 24-inch side monitors. I use my extra monitors for a number of things, such as comparing spreadsheets side-by-side, writing articles while also doing research, keeping tabs on my social media feeds…
A vertically-oriented monitor can save you a lot of scrolling trouble in long documents. If you’re a gamer, well, I don’t need to sell you on three-plus monitors can be for games that support multi-monitor setups. You just need to plan ahead. Here’s our full guide on setting up multiple multiple monitors—and all the factors you’ll need to take into account before you do so.”
Although that article focuses on using a graphics card with all of your monitors connected to the same system, you can also control multiple systems and monitors with software like Synergy:
“Synergy combines your desktop devices together in to one cohesive experience. It’s software for sharing your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers on your desk. It works on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.”
What is your ideal setup? Are you OK with just one monitor and lots of windows, or do you prefer lots of windows across lots of monitors?