Multiple Monitor Setups and Wallpapers
Using multiple monitors is simple with built-in support in Windows and Mac. Increase your productivity today!
Years ago, I switched to a multi-monitor setup and have never been able to go back. Besides the geek factor, the added functionality of (almost) never running out of desktop space and the ability to view multiple programs simultaneously brings with it a huge boost in productivity (and equally, the ability to be distracted).
Working with Excel spreadsheets, multiple web browsers, instant messaging (both work and personal) simultaneously saves a lot of time when you don’t have to ALT+TAB and switch back and forth through overlapping windows.
Indeed, studies have shown that work environments that utilize multiple monitors have increased productivity: http://www.necus.com/necus/media/press_releases/template.cfm?DID=1947
All that’s required is a video card that has multiple outputs to connect your monitors. Another method is to install a second (or third) video card. All the major operating systems: Mac OS 10.4, 10.5, Windows XP, Vista and 7 have built-in support for multiple monitors and multiple video cards, making it as simple as installing a card and setting up the placement of the monitors.
One minor area where Windows falls short is its inability to assign different wallpapers to each of the screens. As always (free) third-party software steps in.
DisplayFusion (free and pro versions) and UltraMon (30-day trial) offer the ability to assign separate wallpapers or stretch a single wallpaper across multiple screens (for ultra-wide wallpapers). Other functions include creating taskbars for each monitor (which show only the programs on that particular screen), window buttons (beside the minimize, close) allowing you to move windows from one screen to another and many other functions.
The cheapest PCI-Express x16 video card can be purchased for under $40 and 24” widescreen LCDs can be purchased for less than $200 CAD, putting multi-monitor setups within reach of many users – the most difficult part may be finding the desk space.
I mounted my setup with an inexpensive dual-screen desktop mount from MonoPrice.com (site down for maintenance).
Here’s a great gallery of multi-monitor setups for some inspiration: http://www.dailybloggr.com/2010/01/20-awesome-workspaces-with-multi-monitor-setups-for-inspiration/
And some multi-monitor wallpaper sites:
http://www.dualscreenwallpaper.com/
http://www.mandolux.com/
http://interfacelift.com/
http://www.socwall.com/
http://www.dualmonitorbackgrounds.com/
http://www.dualscreenwallpaper.com/
Monoprice is down :( Check out http://www.firefold.com. Faster service and great pricing!!!
Monoprice SUCKS I Hope they go out of business
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Hey,
Becareful, monoprice is down for maintenance because they were hacked and are investigating who stole their credit card database. If you bought this stuff recently, might want to check your credit card.
There’s another tool which though not recognized yet as widely as UltraMon or DisplayFusion but can be a good alternative if you target for more functionality than decorations – Actual Multiple Monitors (http://www.actualtools.com/multiplemonitors/). This utility has such unique features as the Start button and system tray on secondary taskbars, Alt-Tab Task Switcher on all monitors. Also there are some usability features:
- snapping windows to desktop boundaries, to each other and to the specified grid
- dragging taskbar buttons and tray icons with the mouse
- dragging/sizing windows by any point (not only title bar or border frame)
- multi-monitor wallpaper/screensaver support
For its price ($29.95 USD) it appears to be the best suite of multi-monitor tools.
Another alternative at http://www.murgee.com/, however it works only for dual monitors but allows changing wallpaper easily and is damn cheap i.e. $5.00
multiple screen wallpapers and multi-screen gaming look terrible without perfectly tiled monitors. plus they take up so much desk space i can barely find space for anything else on my desk. the best solution i found was ergotech’s triple deskstand (http://ergotechgroup.com). it holds my 24s and tiles perfectly!!!
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