Up Fuel For those of you working any significant amount of time on the web I urge you to purchase a second monitor. I’ve been doing most of the work for my blog on my laptop while I ride the train, but I have several other projects I’ve wanted to start that will take much more than the time I have on my daily commute. With that in mind, I finally purchased a second monitor that is basically the same as my old monitor (i.e. same screen size and max resolution) but a newer model number.
I never really bothered purchasing the second monitor before this because I wasn’t really focused on starting any new projects but I have several ideas lined up that I couldn’t put off any longer. So although I should have purchased the second monitor long ago I’m looking forward to the increased efficiency that it will bring to the table. In fact, part of what kept me lazy was the fact that at my 9-5 job I have two monitors and it’s frustrating to come home with only one to work on. Again, yes it’s that stupid that I never purchased this long ago but either way check out the new set up:
Before:
After:
By the way, they’re two 19 inch monitors. The next time I’ll upgrade is when I get a bigger desk. Then I’ll go with two 24 inch monitors.
Are you dual wielding?
Excuse my stupidity, I just never knew how 2 monitors work with only 1 computer? That make sense?
I have dual monitors at work and love it. I’m saving my pennies for dual monitors at home. I agree – it’s aggravating to come home after a long day at work to play around with only one!
Dennis do you have two VGA or two DVI outputs on the back of your video card? (Sometimes it’s one VGA and one DVI).
If you have dual outputs you should be able to put another monitor into the video card then change the resolution on your computer to accomodate the new resolution.
I get the hook-up but how do you actually work different things on both?
I always wanted to do it, but it doesn’t work with 2 laptops screens >.<
I have duals at work and at home. Work I have 2 x 20″ Dell flatpanels and at home I have a 23″ Apple cinema and a 19″ dell flatpanel (gotta save for another 23″). My frustration is coming to work though. At home I have a Mac Pro that screams, then I come to the office and work on a crappy XP machine. UGH!
Dennis, from your desktop you should be able to just right click your desktop background and modify your graphics settings there.
If you do a Google search for how to set it up I’m sure that’d help as well.
Either way you won’t be able to alter any of the settings until after you have a second monitor plugged in and running.
Dual monitors are great. Like you, I want to get a couple of huge 24″ LCDs to replace my mismatched set I’m using now.
Eventually, I want a massive touch screen like in Minority Report.
Looking nice! I’m running the XPS700 and loving it!
Sweet set up you got here!
Ugh! I envy you. I’ve been wanting to set my desktop up with 2 monitors for a while now, but I just haven’t gotten around to it. congrats!
Sorry to drag up an old post, but I was wondering if you still have your setup like that? Specifically, your keyboard is “between” the two monitors… I’ve been working on a dual screen setup for a few years now and have always found myself favouring – and twisting towards – one particular screen. The chosen screen ends up with my keyboard beneath it and the designated secondary monitor becomes extremely useful for extra/peripheral information. The essence, I suppose, is that my use of dual screens has lead me to the absolute decision that I “really” need a third screen just to balance everything out. How about you?
Where does it end? 🙂