All right, I've got a question

[maderr]

I'm thinking of buying a new computer soon . A desktop, because a laptop just isn't what I need for the work I've been doing lately, and the work I will be doing in the future.

The major thing, however, is that I would like to have dual monitors. It's something we're beginning to do at work (I'll be getting a whole new set up this week or next, woohoo!) and I like it, and think it would help me liek woah at home.

So what does that entail? What, if anything, special would I have to do to set up two monitors for my one tower?

Normally I would just ask the tech guys at work, but I'm sort of sick of them atm.

Comments

[alice_montrose]

Well, I know the drivers for my GPU (nVidia) include a control panel which is supposed to allow me control over several monitors.

The problem is, I have no idea how to achieve that in practice. I can usually figure out software, but hardware... I'm not too savvy in that area beyond the simple stuff that involves taking computer apart, adding new devices, putting computer back together again.

[zeffy-amethyst.livejournal.com]

Nothing special to be done. I have a vista and this is how it works for that:

- Hook up the second screen to the computer before you start up the computer.
- On the original screen, left click on the desktop and go to the set up option.
- Then go to the 'Display Setting' option, where you'll see two screens called 1 and 2, side by side. One of them will be whited out.
- Click on the whited out screen to select
- There're some boxes to select down below the picture of the screens. One of them is labeled: "extend the desktop onto this monitor". Click on that.
- And that should be it.

If yours is not a vista go to this page: http://freepctech.com/pc/001/guide_dual_monitors.shtml

I hope this helped.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

That totally helps, and it should be Vista ^__^ And the ports will be there, on the back of the comp? I figured, but I also know what you do when you assume...

[zeffy-amethyst.livejournal.com]

Yep~

[zeffy-amethyst.livejournal.com]

Oh and you can play around with the settings for both screens after.

[hayama-sb.livejournal.com]

I bought me one of these from Micro Center & spent around $40 for an extra gig of memory that I installed in it. Machine has XP pro, so don't have to worry about figuring out Vista. The "video chipset" for this machine is on the motherboard & can only handle 1 monitor, but you can buy a video card to put in the machine that would do the dual monitor thing, since that's all you need to do dual monitors is a video card that is capable of it.

[mordred-risika.livejournal.com]

It's really easy and can be done with either a desktop or laptop. Like the first person says it has to be hooked up when it's on/wakes up from hibernating, then change options in display because you can either have it duplicate everything or continue the screen. Play with which way you want it to transition to the other screen. Good luck, it's so much easier to write with the two screens I've found! ^_^

[chilayse.livejournal.com]

Well, if you buy in the store you can look for the plugs in the back.

Words to avoid. Integrated Intel and GMA(graphics media accelerator) also avoid on board in regards to video/gpu

Most computers that support two monitors have the plugs on a seperate video card away from where the keyboard mouse and such plug in. If you can't find one of those find one that you can upgrade with your own card (words here: pci-e and ask what the power supply wattage is.) Most stores will want to charge you a ton to install a new video card, but I tell you..it's easy enough that anyone could do it..in the dark..with one hand behind their back. Seriously it's slot a with tab a..and close the case again.

[mechante-fille.livejournal.com]

My co-worker does it like Mordred Risika mentioned, with his laptop. Then he can take his laptop home, or to meetings and stuff. He has his Firefox set up to keep both browsers the same on both computers, too, so any added bookmarks, etc, get automatically updated on the other computer any time he changes it on one.

Since you already have a laptop, this might work for you. Then you can still write on the couch with a cat on your belly sometimes if you want. ^_^

[maderr.livejournal.com]

No, the point is a new computer. My laptop isn't sufficient for everything I have to do now. otherwise, that'd be nice.

[mechante-fille.livejournal.com]

Oh, I meant you could have shiny new computer for the major stuff, but instead of buying a second monitor, use your laptop as the second screen, and then you could unhook and use it on the go, if you wanted. Sorry that wasn't clear.

^__^ Good luck, whatever you choose.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Ah, my bad ^___^

[(Anonymous)]

I know it's (a lot) off topic, but will Matchmaker be up on Lulu anytime soon. Is ready to buy :)

[gossymer.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I have pretty much no experience with dual monitors - the only thing that made a big diff for me with my new laptop was the 2GM RAM which sped up everything IMO

Would love to read more about PC developments :) And while there's been a lor of bashing of Vista, after the nightmare that was XP, Vista has been a dream of an OS to work on. Though I'm considering doing a dual installation of linux ubuntu in future...

Have you found any viable options yet? I normally go straight to the manufacturer but the last time Bestbuy.com had some really good deals. Then there's waiting till Thanksgiving for the blow out sales >_>

Oh and the opera browser will sync your bookmarks and stuff across multiple laptops and even mobiles :)

(ok will shut up now) Do miss your daily postings :(

[maderr.livejournal.com]

I just order from Dell. It's easiest. I hate places like bestbuy.

[(Anonymous)]

These are the specs for the 'latest and greatest' desktop that we order at work - it comes with a graphics card that's capable of dual monitor setups, and it also comes with the adapter that allows you to plug in two monitors

Catalog Number / Description Product Code Qty SKU Id

OptiPlex 755 Minitower:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E4600 (2.4GHz, 2M, 800MHz FSB) 7524T 1 [223-4775] 1


Operating System(s):
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic Service Pack 1, With media, 32, ENG VHB31E 1 [420-8464] 11


Dell Energy Smart:
Dell Energy Smart Enable ESMART 1 [310-9504] 25


Labels:
Vista Basic Sticker VBASIC 1 [310-8643] 750


File System:
NTFS File System for all Operating Systems NTFS 1 [420-3699] 2


Ship Packaging Options:
Shipping Material for System, Minitower MTSHIP 1 [310-9330] 41


Memory:
2GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM,667MHz, (2 DIMM) 2G2N62 1 [311-7440] 3


Video Card:
256MB ATI Radeon 2400 XT, Dual Monitor DVI or VGA (TV-out), full height 256VAIF 1 [320-5743] 6


Monitors:
Dell 17 inch E178FP Flat Panel, Analog E178FP 1 [320-5576] 5


Keyboard:
Dell USB Keyboard, No Hot Keys EUSB 1 [310-8010] 4


Mouse:
Dell USB 2-Button Optical Mouse with Scroll, Black USBOBLK 1 [310-9627] 12


Boot Hard Drives:
160GB SATA 3.0Gb/s and 8MB DataBurst Cache™ 160S 1 [341-5473] 8


Floppy Drive and Media Reader:
1.44MB 3.5 Inch Floppy Drive FD 1 [330-0474][341-4005] 10


Removable Media Storage Devices:
16X DVD+/-RW SATA, Roxio Creator™ CyberlinkPowerDVD™ DRM16 1 [313-5426][420-7963][420-8856] 16


Basic Systems Management Mode:
ASF Basic Hardware Enabled Systems Management (No Upgradeable to iAMT/vPro) BCSM 1 [310-9492] 15


Quick Reference Guide:
Quick Reference Guide, Dell OptiPlex 755 REF 1 [310-9384] 40


Resource CD and DVD:
Resource DVD - contains Diagnostics and Drivers for Vista systems RDVD 1 [310-8762] 21


Speakers:
Internal Dell Business Audio Speaker INTSPK 1 [313-3350] 18


Modems:
Dell V.92 PCI Data/Fax Controllerless Modem, full height V92F 1 [313-5432] 14


Processor Branding:
Thank you for buying Intel Dell INTEL 1 [466-9045] 749


Hardware Support Services:
3 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 3 Year NBD Onsite Service U3OS 1 [985-0462][985-5910][989-1567][989-1568] 29


Installation Support Services:
No Onsite System Setup NOINSTL 1 [900-9987] 32

[(Anonymous)]

Whoops. Regular retail price is a little over $1000.

I hope this was helpful.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

While I appreciate the advice, I know the computer I'm getting. I just didn't know what all having two screens entailed, which is why I asked.

[(Anonymous)]

I've been using dual monitors at home for the last 8 years. While it hasn't lead to any massive productivity benefits personally -- I try not to do too much work at home -- it's definitely something to consider.

Other posters here have already detailed the procedures for setting up two monitors, so I'll just relate my experiences.

Positives:
- Organization. Drag windows between the two monitors to group logical tasks.
- Size. MOAR SHTUFF open at once.
- Utility. Have a full-screen application (Photoshop, a video game, etc.) running on one monitor while the other has your IM windows, a browser window, your mail client, and other things all visible without having to alt-tab.

Negatives:
- If your monitors aren't exactly the same type and size, use the same color profile and gamma settings, etc., it can drive you nuts. At the least, try to align the top middle of both monitors (not the bezel, but the actual screen) and pick two monitors of similar sizes and similar resolutions so that windows appear the same relative size on both screens.
- Get LCDs, or weight will be a serious concern for your desk. If you use two CRT monitors, even if they are exactly the same brand and model, conflicting refresh rates can also cause significant eye strain.
- Cost. You won't want to upgrade monitors piecemeal, and good monitors aren't cheap. You also won't want to go back to using only one monitor for a desktop, ever again.

If cost is a serious barrier, your eyes will thank you for getting one very nice monitor (find something with very low dot pitch and very good contrast; I can make more specific recommendations if you'd like) rather than two mediocre monitors.

Make sure, also, that you get a computer that uses dual-DVI outputs (and that your monitors can use both DVI.) While VGA is always cheaper, the result is a noticeably more fuzzy picture and this only gets worse at higher resolutions. DVI is a purely digital connection and you will thank yourself for switching, if you haven't already.

Also consider that, while CRTs may cost less up front, they are difficult to move and ship, consume much more power even in standby modes, and (at lower price levels especially) will never produce quite as sharp a picture as an LCD. However, there are people who prefer slightly 'softer' text, so it's your preference that matters.

Personally, I'm now up to two 23" LCDs and I'm very happy with them ... though two 30" would be seriously tempting if I weren't in grad school!

--medeii

[maderr.livejournal.com]

I'm buying a whole new system, I wouldn't buy two different monitors. LCD's are sort of the default these days, you don't have much choice unless you go out of your way.

And while I appreciate it, I'm not really worried about how to move icons and all of that. I just wanted to know if there was anything special I needed to do before I ordered them.

[(Anonymous)]

Pardon the assumptions. I see a lot of CRTs for sale at brick-and-mortar stores, and most people I know that want to dip their toes into dualhead start by using their existing monitor with a new purchase.

The super short 'anything special' list:

- Make sure the video card on your system has two DVI output ports (not 1 VGA and 1 DVI, or 2 VGA, both of which are common.)
- Make sure your new monitors both accept DVI input.
- Calibrate your monitors the cheap way:
- Open two browser windows. Maximize both and set them to show the same page, preferably one with lots of white. Google is good for this.
- Verify that the color balance (also called temperature) on both LCDs is the same.
- Turn the contrast on both LCDs all the way up, or until the colors go wacky. Then adjust the brightness so the two LCDs match; it's easiest to see this with white. It may help to move back a little and squint at each LCD in turn.

If you haven't read up on LCDs, I can't stress enough to do some research before you invest, especially if you want two. Nothing makes a brand-new computer look more crappy than a cheap monitor: it's what you spend all your time looking at, after all.

http://www.lcdpaneltypes.net/ - Explains the differences between LCD panel types
http://tomshardware.com/ - Offers in-depth technical comparisons for LCDs

If you're willing to give us some basics (price ceiling, desired size, other features) then I can hunt down a few good options for you. If that's too much effort, you can't go too far wrong by getting two Samsung panels. Just stay away from Dell's cheap models, for the love of all that's holy.

--medeii