Dual Monitors v. 1 Large Monitor for "Increased Productivity"?

[velocd]

If you had/have the funds and were willing, would you buy two monitors for a dual display hookup or just one huge monitor?

I have been considering this, between dual 19" LCDs or one 21.3" LCD.

The LCDs I've my eye on:
$349.99 - Hyundai L90D Silver 19" 8ms
$659.99 (Less $100 w/Rebate) - SAMSUNG 213T-S Silver 21.3" 25ms

From Newegg.com, to Tom's Hardware and anandtech.com, these products above achieved great ratings.

Buying 2 19" would be about the price of buying that one 21.3".

I am looking for a new approach to enhancing my productivity. I'm amid building myself a new PC, but faster processors and more ram generally (in recent years) haven't revolutionized one's way of computing (unless your bridge is from a P3 to P4 or larger gap).

I am leaning toward dual monitor setup from what articles I've read online. I am not a huge gamer, infact last game I played was HL2 in October. I spend most of my time programming and web designing. I use instant messaging quite a bit as well. (I'd like to test run dual setup, except my current computer, Dell 4600c, sports a Radeon 9600SE with only input; DVI.)

What are others' opinions or experiences here with dual monitor setup? Would you say you're more productive on levels far greater than before?

How about those with large >21" monitors? My only concern with the 21.3" is, well, at native 1600x1200 Windows shell font may be a bit tiny.

I also try to limit how much I use my mouse when working, and stick to the keyboard and hotkeys for navigation. Dual monitor setup seems (to me) lessen the mouse usage.

Please leave your feedback, thanks!

[philipwhite]

I like having only one screen. I like using my laptop because its wide screen and I can have two windows side by side without a big bar in the middle.

[Scout141]

Dual is the way to go! (IMO)

Did you check out Dell?

The 1905FP is a fantastic monitor, and dirt cheap. Even cheaper when on sale

$335USD

http://tinyurl.com/6lx2p

I've got 2 of them, and love em! I believe the Hyundai is a 6bit display, whereas the Dell is 8bit. Though I've never seen what a 6bit looks like, Anandtech is very adamant about the lacklustre colours the 6bit lcds produce... The Hundai has a faster refresh rate, but never had ghosting etc issues with mine (Mostly design, only game I play is World of Warcraft).

Though the article is not about the Dell monitor, Anandtech uses it as the benchmark for all its recent tests

http://www.anandtech.com/displays/sh...spx?i=2415&p=7

I believe there is also an article on it specifically, just too lazy to dig .

Cheers!

[velocd]

Wow, I didn't expect Dell to have such a low price for their monitors. I'll have to consider it.

I currently have an older Dell 19" LCD, the 1703FP model. It's an alright monitor.

I found the anandtech review, they mention analog problems.

My prospective ATI card has DVI and VGA connectors. With two of the exact same monitors side by side, is there an eye-catching difference between a VGA display and DVI display?

[mark_W]

I would really say dual screen is better, however it is obviously personal preference.

Oh and.... I had 2 identical monitors one VGA and one DVI and I didnt notice a difference but there may be for the trained eye!

[Scout141]

Same here. My card has dvi/analog and I see no significant difference between the two. When I upgrade the vid card, I will definitely get dual dvi, but I'm in no rush.

HTH

PS: Why not just get one new 19" and use the old 19" as your secondary?

[velocd]

Long answer: I planned to give my old PC to my dad, whose currently using a 7 year old Dell that's long past dead. The integrated graphics of Dell 4600c suck, and his monitor is awful as well. The video card I installed (ATI 9600SE 128mb AGP) also only has DVI connector.

[Scout141]

For years i used to use a pci video card for my second monitor (2 crts)

If it was me, I'd use the dvi for the main, dig up a used 8-16 meg pci card for the secondary (can usually get one for $10-$20). Buy your pops a 17" crt for $50 http://tinyurl.com/7svoe and you're off to the races.

Down the road, when you're ready to upgrade your video card, get a dually and give your father the old one.

Try and stick with a major name for the pci card (ATI, NVIDIA, Matrox). Sometimes they don't like to play together if you use a trident/sis etc...

Just another option to think about

[velocd]

I think I've confused you with not writing enough in my posts. ;-)

My new in-progress PC is a small form factor chassis, made by Shuttle (barebone). The motherboard comes equiped only with a PCI-e 16x and PCI-e 1x. My old PC is what I think you're referring to.. My budget for a large monitor or dual setup is about $700, so I don't need to go cheap.

[Scout141]

Ohhhhhh... Now it becomes clear! . In that case, go dual 19" Dells! You won't regret it.

Shuttle: Sweet!
Just put together a Shuttle a couple of months ago for my new system. Fantastic computer. Fast, quiet, _and_ pretty! Only problem is the desk looks like a$$ now with that beautiful machine sitting on it. Gonna have to upgrade it too!

Sigh. Does it ever end??

[Cartman]

Scout: If I understand what you're saying correctly, I can throw another video card in my machine, plug in a 2nd monitor, and have it work in tandem with my regular screen? I've got a 19" CRT, and another 17" CRT that's not getting much use.

I have many occasions where I need access to 2 screens at once, and that sounds like a slick setup if it'd work as such. Right now I'm constantly flipping between windows, and it's a bit confusing. If I could see everything on the screen at the same time, it would really help. Can you explain how to do this within XP? Thanks!

[dc dalton]

I honestly dont think I could work without my duals any more. When Im on the laptop Im always complaining about enough space! I run a 21" Sony and a 19" (something) ... and a GeForce MX440 Dual True AGP card ... REAL pain in the butt to set up but man its nice when you get it going.

I was running an AGP - PCI dual card system and it works fine EXCEPT you HAVE to find two cards that will play nice together! I think it was something about the PCI has to be able to shut off VGA or something, honestly its been so long Ive forgotten.. I was running a Viper 700 as AGP and a Matrox PCI... they worked OK but the PCI gfx werent too great. I also tried a card that had AGP and DVI out with an adapter but my 2nd monitor just wasnt happy AT ALL ...Thats why I went with this GeForce card..... nice card I have to say!

[Marubozo]

It depends on what you use the space for. Do you need the extra real estate for graphic design, or being able to have more content available to view at one time? Or do you physically need to have a program running and visible while working on something else at the same time?

I have run both setups, and for me personally, considering the type of work I do, one large monitor works best. I run a 20" widescreen LCD, and it allows me to easily do image editing by fitting everything into the space, or even running two programs running side by side, etc. But, when I am active in trading stocks, the dual monitor setup works better. I can have all of my real-time streaming charts and quotes displaying on one monitor making them visible 100% of the time while I can work on other things on the other monitor.

Each have their pros and cons, so ultimately the best choice will be determined by the actual needs you have for the additional workspace.

[Andrew K]

I have 2 21 inch Sony monitors and I can tell you 100% it's the best thing I ever did. It is so good to be able to ode then see what you have done with out moving an inch. For design coding and development you can't get any better than 2 screens. I'ts not until you ave them that you realise how dam good it is.

If you get somehting like a radeon XT it has dual support and the adapter comes in the box so all you need is a second monitor.

photoshop cs2 allows you to seperate the tools and screen so one screen can have just your design while the other can be all palettes and tools.

[kohoutek]

I have 2 21 inch Sony monitors and I can tell you 100% it's the best thing I ever did. It is so good to be able to ode then see what you have done with out moving an inch. For design coding and development you can't get any better than 2 screens. I'ts not until you ave them that you realise how dam good it is.

If you get somehting like a radeon XT it has dual support and the adapter comes in the box so all you need is a second monitor.

photoshop cs2 allows you to seperate the tools and screen so one screen can have just your design while the other can be all palettes and tools.

Hmmm ... that sounds intriguing Andrew. I think I'll get myself another screen.

[bcr]

I'm probably a bit biased because I'm currently running two 17" monitors, but I would go for the dual 19".

It makes your life a lot easier, but I wouldn't complain with a 21" either

[tsion]

photoshop cs2 allows you to seperate the tools and screen so one screen can have just your design while the other can be all palettes and tools.

PS CS and ILLUSTRATOR CS will do that too. Definitely dual monitors is the way to go.

[Scout141]

@Cartman: Absolutely. For the longest time, I ran a 19 and a 17 inch crt together. With the slower pci vid card, you won't be playing games on the secondary monitor, but if you use it for palettes and browser etc, works like a dream.

I found a combo that always worked for me was an nvidia agp card with an ati Rage chipset pci (The Xpert cards work quite well, but I think most combos of the 2 will work for you).

I've run 2 cards on probably half a dozen systems, and one thing is that sometimes you will have to set in your bios to boot from PCI first. If you leave it at agp, sometimes the pci card is not detected properly. All this means is the bios stuff at the beginning shows up on the secondary monitor. As soon as windows boots in, the primary display initializes.

The only thing better than 2 monitors.... is 3! . Have it at work, and let me tell you, you can never have enough realestate!

PS: Make sure you checkmark 'Extend my windows desktop' in Display Properties -> Settings.

[dc dalton]

The only thing better than 2 monitors.... is 3! . Have it at work, and let me tell you, you can never have enough realestate!

Ive been SERIOUSLY considering that for some time now! Ive always got 5 different windows open and hate no being able to see then without clicking something!

[MaxS]

Dual monitors is just plain cooler!

[moospot]

I have to agree that once you go to mulitple monitors, it's hard to go back. Go for 2 if you have the choice.

[Defender1]

Just get one of these bad boys.

[tsion]

Just get one of these bad boys.

Ya, but you could buy 4 19" for that price..

[Scout141]

mmmmmmm..... 4x19"

Rum&Coke. Do It!

[philipwhite]

I regret everything I've bought from Dell. Anyways if you do decide to do business with them make use of the 30 day policy. If the monitors aren't perfect send them back. If they go bad after 30 days you can't get you money back and you get stuck with a crappy Dell referb. Dell Referbs are horrible. Its the crap people return thats defective repackaged and shipped out.