Having two monitors hooked up to the same computer may seem to some people like overkill, but for those that use a two monitor setup on a daily basis most would never go back to using just one. The reasons for using two monitors are numerous and go far beyond playing video games or having a really cool dual monitor desktop background.
In fact, two monitors can dramatically increase a persons productivity in ways that those unfamiliar with them might not realize.
Who Benefits Most From Using Two Monitors?
Although the most common answer to this is often devoted video game enthusiasts, anyone can benefit from having two monitors, especially those who use their computer for income generating tasks. Having two monitors creates a natural boundary on which one side can be the finished product, such as a document or spreadsheet while on the other monitor lay the raw materials that are used to create that new document.
For many people it is common to switch between two tabs in a web browser, grabbing some information from one then swapping back to use it in another. This back and forth is so much easier when it is done on two monitors, dragging and dropping information from one to the other rather than copy and pasting it between tabs or windows.
Other Useful and Time Saving Ways To Use A Two Monitor Setup
The benefits of a two monitor setup go beyond simple copy and paste improvements. Video editing on two monitors is one of the most common ways that professional video editors get the job done quickly and easily. Many will use one monitor for all of the controls of the editing program while the other screen is used to show the full resolution output.
In doing so it is easy to notice mistakes or flaws that a videographer might miss when looking at the unrendered video in a small window on a single monitor setup. The same thing goes for applications like video conferencing when a Skype communication can be shown on one monitor, complete with the other person’s video feed, while the local user can pull up other documents and information on the second screen.
Using Two Monitors Speeds Up Work and Play
In every case, using two monitors instead of one is a great benefit to a users speed and efficiency of work (or play). With the incredibly cheap prices to be found these days on LCD monitors there really is no reason not to consider trying out a two monitor setup. It should be noted that all of the benefits seen in the business world will also pay off in the recreational gaming world as well.
Having a two monitor setup for many home users is quite a bit like having your cake and eating it too. Once you try it you will never go back to using a single monitor ever again.
Chad Criswell - Chad Criswell is a professional educator and freelance technology writer for numerous online and print publications throughout the United ...
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