SUPER PC LLC @ Multi-Screens.com

In this article we’re going to go over how to connect a second monitor to your computer. A Multiple Monitor display are a must for people who like to work on several documents simultaneously. Often video editors and graphics professionals ones who need to expand their screen real estate, but in today’s fast paced culture, everyone benefits from a multiple monitor setup.

Most graphics cards today support multiple monitors. Trading Computers use many of these type of cards. If yours doesn’t, inexpensive dual monitor video cards from companies such as ATI and NVidia are ideal choices. You can buy dual monitors for about $300 each with a special stand included, but if you want to keep using the computer monitor you already have, try to get a matching monitor of similar size and shape.

Many cards come with two different types of outputs. A standard analog video connector, and a digital DVI connector. If the monitors you’re using come with a VGA plug you’ll need to use a DVI to analog adapter, which should come with your new graphics card.

Before installing a new card, back up your PC. It’s always a good safety precaution.

Next uninstall the drivers from the old graphics card. To protect your computers sensitive electronics, make sure you first ground yourself by touching a metal object or by wearing an anti static wrist strap.

Once this is done, shut your PC and unplug it. Open the case and remove the old card and install the new one. Once the new card is installed, plug the power cable back in, connect both monitors, and start the PC. The PC will recognize the new card and install the drivers.

Initially the same image will appear on each monitor, but by going to the Display Control Panel and selecting Settings, you can extend the size of your desktop over both monitors. The horizontal screen resolution will double. You can now drag application windows from one monitor to the other with ease, and run programs side by side.

Installation of a new card with dual monitor display takes about a half an hour. If you purchased a new card as well as a second monitor, cost for the project can run from $300 to $900 and up. However, having multiple monitors is like having a bigger desk. It makes it easier to get more done.

Conserve desk space by suspending two flat panels on a single base. Easily view multiple screens at once to increase productivity. Comes with the Dual LCD Stand and dual LCD Monitors. Choose your LCD size and brand above! This item is recommended for use with any multi-tasking duty. Click here to see more dual monitor displays.

Features View multiple displays simultaneously with Paraview Technology Position monitors for maximum productivity. Curved for angled veiw. Cable management system organizes and routes LCD monitor cables Low-profile base saves desk space and creates a larger virtual desktop Choose from various LCD sizes; slide displays so screen edges align Aluminum steel construction creates an extremely solid/stable platform Amazing 3 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty for LCDs & 5 Years for Stand!

Ultimately it just comes down to a handful of things to look out for when setting up a multiple monitor system. First thing is you need to determine if you can use a dual monitor adapter, dual monitor video card, or just a new system all together. This can be determined by taking into consideration how old your current system is and is it worth the upgrade. What is you upgrade budget looking like. If you have questions call the friendly staff at Super-PC or just visit their site at multi-monitors.com.

Just about everything you need to know to setup your Multiple Monitor Display can be found on my dual monitor setup using windows article. Now you can finally see yourself as a picture of you leaning back in the chair lounging peacefully on the old wood floor as a Dual Monitor Wallpaper. Or you can even go a step further than that. It all depends on the individual as to what type of Dual Monitor Backgrounds he or she may or may not use. In a world that strives to be politically correct, it’s good to know that there’s a Multi-Monitor Display on your desk to show all the different colours of diversity simultaneously!

1) The best overall thing to start out on, is purchasing a Multi-Monitor Computer from multi-monitors.com. Only then will you have the full capability of harnessing full range, unadulterated, no holds barred Multiple Monitors. They are the masters of the Dual Monitor Setup and of Multiple Monitor computers. With they’re own brand rightfully coined as Super PC, they carry a Dual Monitor Adapter that really kicks butt for a little plug and play gadget that anybody that has an extra VGA outlet can use as a Dual Monitor Cable. Best of all they offer the best quality with the best price, and are some of the original pioneers for this new breed of multi-tasking super powers.

2) If you get a USB to VGA Adapter, or the USB to DVI Adapter (links above) that will allow you to add an extra monitor to your computer via any USB 2.0 port. You can also add multiple extra monitors by using multiple adapters however not recommended over a Dual Monitor Video Cardor more. This is a great option for viewing documents, surfing the web, using Microsoft office and most all those other business applications that can tend to slow down productivity by forcing the user to toggle between windows on a single monitor display. however, this may not be the best application for intense graphical situations such as HDTV, Blue-Ray, Gaming and 3D/CAD Workstation applications and so forth. For those types of applications, its highly recommended that you purchase a high-powered Multi-Screen computer from multi-monitors.com.

3) You can replace or add an extra video card to your existing computer, depending on how many monitors you want to support. Although this may sound easy to do on paper, in reality it can be complex solution for a newbie/novice beginner, especially when trying to find a compatible graphics card to support things such as Dual Monitor Wallpaper and other Dual Monitor Backgrounds without having to install Dual Monitor Software.

Once you have your Multiple Monitor System set up and ready to abuse, you will need to enable all of your monitors in your “Display Properties” in the Control Panel Section. Here is a splendid link to a virtual Multiple Monitor Setup in the Windows Control Panel.

A few other options may include getting a Multi Monitor Video Card and go with Multiple Monitor Displays. It make much difference in the setup in Windows Control Panel if you have a Multi-Monitor Display over a Dual Monitor Display like this. For example if you were a stock guru that uses a Trading Computer to support your Multi Monitor Setup then obviously plugging in an adapter or two may not be the most efficient way to ensure those stock quotes are humming along as fast as you would like. The refresh rate may lower with the adapters. For laptop users check out these Multiple Monitor Laptop Systems.

The Power of ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series

Radeon is the name brand for the ATI Company, and represents some of the most cutting edge dual screen graphics cards available today. The ATI Radeon HD 4670 delivers a remarkable combination of DirectX 10 gaming performance and hardware processed 1080p video on dual monitors. Connect to your HDTV with HDMI that includes built-in 7.1 surround audio. That’s a dual display with some serious muscle!

ATI has released several dual monitor video cards which range from the forefront of performance, down to the basics but still offer stable performance to those of us who do not want to spend over $150 on a piece of hardware even if we may replace in a year. The Dual Monitor Adapter can be simpler to install than a video card however, it’s important that your dual computer monitors match the type of adapter. Refer to this dual monitor setup for a good idea of how matching dual screens makes a better dual monitor wallpaper.

Aside from their success with their highly-regarded HD 4800-series of cards, ATI knew that they needed to ride off their momentum of their long running success and attack all parts of the market with the new R700 series architecture. I heard about it as they launched an assault on the mid-level market with their HD 4870 and HD 4850 which was followed by their high end offering, the HD 4870 X2. They have consolidated their stranglehold at virtually every price-point, and ATI is targeting the entry level price point with their HD 4600-series like the one shown above.

Loaded with the latest features, ATI Radeon™ HD 4600 Series graphics cards deliver a level of gaming performance previously only found in high-end graphics cards. Redefine the way you play HD games and enjoy unprecedented levels of graphics realism powered by 320 stream processing units, up to 1GB of memory and support for Microsoft DirectX® 10.1 games. Upgrade your graphics card and watch Blu-ray movies and play HD content with incredible visual fidelity or take your experience to another level with new multiple monitor capabilities (when 2 or more cards are properly installed). Do it all with break-through energy efficiency that doesn’t compromise performance.

These graphics cards do it all with break-through energy efficiency, eliminating the need for an external power connection and making them easy to install. Refer to my Dual Monitor Setup using Windows blog for step by step instructions on setting up your configuration.

There’s really just something for everyone who wants a card to be a jack of all trades like play games at high resolutions while offering kick-ass HD video decoding as well. Radeon has cards that have full HDMI and DisplayPort capabilities for HTPC along with a core based on the RV770 series architecture for casual and extreme gamers alike. All of this means that these cards should be appealing to quite a few shoppers from a price and performance standpoint.

Looking for something more? Check out my blog on the Quad Monitor Computer.

Mounting Your Dual Monitor Setup

Whether you used a dual monitor video card or a dual monitor adapter, your sure to know that dual monitor wallpaper will not display quite right unless you have your dual monitor display setup on a Dual Monitor Mount.

A dual monitor mount is basically a fixing arm specially made to mount multiple monitors upon by utilizing the VESA mounting system LCD monitors on the wall or desk. Different types of dual monitor stands with different capacity and size guidelines for varying multi screen needs.

Dual computer monitors can come in different designs, styles, colors, and types. Therefore it is important to have a general idea of what to expect. Whether its a light duty load or heavy duty load, the strength of your mounts will depend on what class it is.

A dual monitor wall mount can have many useful features to easily rotate the monitors, and to tile the arm to the desired direction. Mounting your dual display on mounts can have the advantage of saving space, the ability to move monitors in desired directions, ability to rotate monitors to view the monitor contents in a landscape or portrait view, giving those dual monitor backgrounds a good look. There can be other advantages to using a dual monitor screen stand as well.

When mounting the monitors to the stand be sure that the 4 (four) VESA screw holes align with those on the back of the monitor. This will save you time if for whatever reason they don’t line up. Also be sure to use the right tool for the job.

See one multi-monitor display user had to say about his New Super PC Computer.

Microsoft Outlook in a Multiple Monitor Display

Manage all your communications in one interface.

Microsoft Office helps us better manage time and information, connect across boundaries, and help remain safe and in control. There are many reasons why people, small businesses, and large corporations would want to use Outlook. And the best way to take advantage of all that Outlook has to offer is by installing a dual monitor video card, or get a dual monitor adapter and become another one of millions flocking to harness the power multiple monitors technology and productivity gains.

Instantly search all your information, and easily manage daily priorities.

Microsoft Outlook is an extremely useful program because it lets you bundle several applications into one single user friendly interface. The only drawback is having a calender, e-mail client, contact manager, task manager, and anything else that’s crammed in your schedule cluttering up your screen space. Having a multi screen display greatly improves your ability to view all of your given Outlook tasks simultaneously.

2 Easy steps that can change your work life!

1) Simply right click on one of the Outlook programs in the Navigation Pane, generally in the lower right of the screen.

2) Select the “Open in New Window”

A new window of that program will open and can be managed independently of other open Outlook programs. If you are using multiple monitors, just grab the window and drag it to a vacant monitor. You can then move your email to another monitor and still maintain focus on adding events to your calender.

Get better results faster by utilizing a multiple monitor setup.

Whether you’re using dual computer monitors or multiple computer monitors, connect with people easily and more effectively by utilizing Outlooks interface in a multi screen mode.

Learn about Dual monitors with Microsoft Excel

What exactly does the term “Multiple Monitors” refer to?

Multiple Monitors, also commonly known as or referred to as Multi-Screen, Multi-Screens, Multi-Monitor Display, and Multi-Monitor Displays are all synonymous terms referring to the use of more than one monitor. It may be a mystery as to how many different terms we can think of when we refer to any Dual Monitor Setup or larger to be connected to a single computer, and controlled by a single mouse and keyboard. This type of Multiple Monitor setup allows you to visually interface with more than one program at any given moment in time, as well as compare charts, and use the “copy and paste” function across a Dual Monitor Wallpaper without the need to install additional expensive and unecessaryover priced and over rated Dual Monitor Software.

Do multiple monitors increase productivity?

Do you remember that old saying we heard as a child and can still hear it ring on. Even in todays fast paced superhighway people still know that “two heads are better than one”. We the same aspect literally applies to your display setup. I have been using Multiple Monitors for years, and I have noticed a true increase in productivity, every time I upgrade to a system to support more monitors. It’s true that Dual Screens are better than one. Another great thing about it that you do not even need extra software necessarily. So far I have three monitors on my main computer and two on my side kick pc upstairs. You can get a Dual Monitor Video Card and add another monitor fairly easily, or if your graphic needs aren’t so high you might even get by with using only a Dual Monitor Adapter for adding a Dual Monitor. Many people who have never used a multi-monitor PC may not understand the true advantage of this technology, and dismiss the idea as novel. On the other hand, an individual who utilizes multiple monitors knows about the power of visualization and organization, and feels as if they have discovered a wonderful secret for business multi-tasking.

Multiple Monitors for Day Traders

Ask any of those who Trading Computers and they will tell you that when it comes to staying up-to-date means staying open to new windows. That in itself is a big testament to how useful and productive you can be with multiple monitors. If the Wall Street big dogs are using them, you know it’s going to be an effective tool. In fact, using multiple monitors for stock trading is guaranteed to make you a better trader.
Back when I used to take calls from Day Traders, they would always prefer a single machine that could support a Multi Monitor Taskbar and more times than not they would choose the Power Trader Pro offered by Super PC. Talk about one hotrod of a personal deasktop computer, the Power Trader Pro probably stands as the best Trading Computer on the market. For Example: You can view charts on one screen and run your trading software on another all at the same time. If you use more than two screens don’t worry aboiut it! You can watch your live news streams on a third monitor or perform internet research without the risks of losing your current view. You can even copy and paste across all the monitors you have going, rather than maximizing and minimizing windows over and over again and again.

Frequently I use Microsoft Excel to render records of various projects. Having a multiple monitor computer definitely helps. Often times I’ll compare two Excel spreadsheets side by side so that I can stay on top of things row to row. Using dual computer monitors, I’ll put a spreadsheet on each computer monitor.

At first, I couldn’t get the spreadsheets to display seperately, on serperate screens, eventhough they appeared as seperate windows in my taskbar. It took me a little while but after a few minutes, I found how to command Excel to open each document as a seperate window or instance of the Excel application.

There are several different ways you can view Excel in a multi-screen format. You can start by having the Excel program open on one display, and the documents you are comparing on another display.

Maximize Excel to spread across multiple monitors. This application would work well if you had a very large spreadsheet that is hard to view on a single monitor. Stretching the spreadsheet across dual screen monitors will help you see the whole spreadsheet without having to toggle back and forth.

Automatically position and maximize each speadsheet in its own display.

If you have two documents open simultaneously on Excel, click the “Window” button and the “Compare Side By Side” should automatically appear. This will automatically position each spreadsheet in its own display. This particular trick only works for two documents though.

Now for the real glory booster,

all you need to do is open each Excel document in it’s own window seperately. This way you can utilize your multi monitor setup to it’s fullest capabilities. To do this simply hold the “Shift” button down when you click on the Excel Shortcut and it will open independently of any other Excel windows previously opened.

With multiple monitor computing growing increasingly more popular, the need for multi monitor software is decreasing. This makes it so much easier for the average Joe to go get a dual monitor video card or simply a dual monitor adapter and start increasing their over all worth instantly.

For help setting up dual monitors click here. To learn about Microsoft Vista & Multiple Monitors check this entry.

New Multiple Monitor Owner Professes Love at 1st byte!

I recently purchased a new computer from multi-monitors.com, which is the home of the computer brand, Super PC. I have been eyeing one of their multi-monitor displays for some time now as I do a lot of multi-tasking on my day trading computer i.e., multi-tabling poker play, video gaming, and I enjoy having the extra work space on my multiple monitors so I am not constantly switching back and forth from window to window on the task-bar. I purchased their Nuclear Workstation Computer. The one I purchased supports up to 6 monitors and is a beauty of a machine.

I had several questions in regards to technology specifications as I wasn’t completely versed in the extensive requirements for multi-monitor capabilities. After reviewing the site for a while and reading their FAQ I had specific additional questions for the configuration of my new PC. Dan at customer service was very quick responding to my email inquiry and was very courteous and knowledgeable. He helped guide me through the entire process of setting up multiple monitors, and directed me to their video page to help me understand the process better, and explained several different system setups all the while never making me feel like I was wasting his time. Together we were able to help narrow
down my choices for the type of specs I wanted and from there I made my purchase.

When I made my purchase I was quoted a build and shipping time of 2-3 business days and unlike some other larger PC manufactures (who I won’t name in this review) I actually received a shipping confirmation within the estimated time frame. I received my multiple monitor computer in perfect working order, in professional packing which impressed me very much. I had no problem setting everything up correctly
and the PC came pre-configured for plug and play ease of use.

I started out thinking that I was only going to be able to purchase a dual monitor video card (due to budget constraints) but it wasn’t as expensive as I thought and now I am in love with this new multi-monitor setup! I plan on purchasing another multi monitor video card from
multi-monitors.com in the very near future, giving my multi-monitor display an additional dual monitor wallpaper. I have played a few games on the computer and have to say I have just fallen in absolute love with it. The computer looks great, operates perfectly and I will be heading back to Super PC for my next computer and recommend them to anyone looking for a dual monitor adapter, a triple monitor computer on up to any other kind of new multi screen variation.

Also check this blog on the Power of Radeon Graphics

The Future of The Computer Monitor

In today’s multi tasking computing world, it’s not unusual to see people constantly switching from window to window trying to get data transferred from one application to another. Even using the hotkey Alt-Tab window switcher gets old. We want to see the data as soon as our eyes can hit it. It’s a result of this type of madness, the popularity of multiple monitor computer workstations has increased dramatically.

Studies have shown a significant increase in employee productivity when a dual monitor setup is used. There is less mental stress, less time spent on switching programs, and less eye strain, and that’s just better anyway you look at it.

For those of you who are looking to expand out of your technology box you will most likely consider a dual monitor video card or some type of dual monitor adapter, and try to salvage that old PC that supports only on computer monitor. That’s fine, but it’s only time before you will want multiple monitors. Let’s just face it. It is what is is. Whatever the next level of evolution more productivity is, is where technology goes.

You may say well these solutions are good for desktop users, but what about my laptop? Don’t worry there are already simple easy solutions to give your laptop a dual monitor wallpaper. A simple dual monitor cable usually will do the trick.

With a multiple monitor computer your net worth instantly gets higher. I’m sure that somewhere there is a computer engineer trying to figure out a way to put more monitors on a computer than ever before.

Learn how a Nuclear Workstation helps you go green.
Chief KTP225 Dual Monitor Desk Stand (Holds LCDs up to 30″)
Videos by: multiplemonitors.

Drive to Discover Report on ABC News

The new status symbol in Silicone Valley is multiple computer screens. Size doesn’t matter anymore, it’s how many you have. Richard Hart, a San Francisco, CA reporter for ABC News reports on a phenomena of three or even four monitors per person.

People in the financial industry have used more than one monitor for years, but lately it’s becoming common for the rest of us. Rhoda Alexander is one of a growing number of people who use more than one computer monitor at the same time.

She has a dual monitor setup attached to her multiple monitor laptop. From what I could see it looked like a dual monitor adapter was how she linked them together. Combined with her laptop, this gave her a great multiple monitor display in which she had grown accustomed to using.

Rhoda who is a monitor analyst for a suppy Co says, “It helps me tremendously, because typically in your average day, I may have 15 different files open at the same time.” She also goes on to say that there’s a certain amount of jealousy that come her way due to her multi screen luxuries. “I have office mates come by and say “wow i love your setup”..

Two developments are driving the boom in multiple monitors. The first is plug and play connectors that make it easy to daisy chain as much as an 8 monitor display at once. One company multi-monitors.com expects sales to triple in the next year, and that’s largely due to the rise of portable computing. In the coming year consumers will buy more notebooks than desktops for the first time.

Already over 35% of consumer buy and extra monitor at the same time they buy the notebook computer. People like the portability but not the small screen.

Although Rhoda says she can work on the road with the kind of work that she does, but there’s always that sigh of relief when she gets back to where she has a multi screen display to spread her work out on.

Why not use a single humongous monitor? Ergonomics. Experts say that it’s not a good idea to keep looking up and down and it’s easier on the eyes to have the screens folded in on you.

When asked, Rhoda said she could use a few more monitors.

It’s only when someone gets a multiple monitor computer do they ever really get set free. Free from the headache of squinting eyes trying to pry through the fields of tabs or windows in the task bar. Having a multi screen application has freed me from such head trauma and I have since found the meaning of life on the Internet. It’s not necessarily all about multi-tasking or even the extended ease of use that you gain when you have dual monitor software. Mainly it has given me the option to look further than I had ever gone before by giving me another window to work withI think many people would imagine a dual monitor setup to be expensive or even high tech, but in fact it really isn’t all that difficult to set up and experience your favorite dual monitor backgrounds. Desktop PC’s have become a staple in our home, office and for many life even. Why not go ahead and take a step forward and turn your single monitor computer into a Multi-monitor display that can add light and art to your space.

I often think of those people that use trading computers to make their living. I bet it sure is nice to sit at home and watch CNBC all day and make thousands of dollars in the process. Having spoken to a many of them, it originally surprised me that even they don’t use multi monitor software to get their wall of stocking monitors up and going. In fact many of them start just I did buy adding just one extra monitor with a dual monitor cable of some sort. Some are OK but there’s really only one worth spending your hard earned money on and that’s the Matrox adapter available for free shipping at Super-PC.com. Sometimes I think that they were born with a multi monitor taskbar because they specialize in setting up dual monitors on virtually any computer still ticking.

Without Multi-monitor displays myself, I wouldn’t get near as much stuff done because I run so many applications at once. Excel spreadsheets, blog site surfing and reading, email inbox, recording software open and ready to catch my newest little tune. Not to mention allot of unnecessary stuff to like gossip pages or latest nonsense the world media shoves down our throats on a regular basis. Even-though I may not always appreciate such things, I still get drawn to them like many people do. I guess overall it can be entertaining too. Nevertheless I wouldn’t have the time to pay any attention to these things important to me if wasn’t for my triple monitor stand. Every since I got my triple monitor setup going I can do about 50% more than I did with the Dual Monitor system I had from years past.

Each day that passes results in a surge of the use of multiple monitor computers. And there are several reasons why. I’m going to share with you a few of these reasons, and by the time you finish reading, you may be searching for the reasons why you haven’t already upgraded to a multi screen system.

Forex traders are probably the top purchaser of a multi-screen display. And there is good reason. When it comes to day trading or currency exchange, the last thing you have time to do is figure out which task bar is needed to make a quick exchange. With multi-screen displays this no longer an issue, when the timing is right, you simply look up, down, to the left or to the right. This gives the forex or day trader time to make split second decisions and increase profits. If you’ve been trading without multiple monitors the only question you should ask is why?

Poker players are another top buyer of multiple monitor computers. Having multiple monitor wallpaper allows players to have more tables open and therefore play more hands per hour. So if you think about it like any professional online poker player, it really comes down to the math. If you’re able to play on one or two tables with only one monitor, imagine what you can do with 6. The profit increases exponentially. When it comes to math, poker players are on the top of the scale.

Video game advocates and simulator nuts are number three on the list. When it comes to video games realistic graphics are a priority, but having more screen space is just about as important. Whether it’s RPGs or real life fighting and action, gamers prefer more screen space. And flight simulators need the additional multiple monitor video card to create the peripheral type views that give flight simulators a realistic feel. The gaming experienced is improved with better graphics and more screen space.

The recording industry isn’t new, but using multiple monitor stand to better control Pro Tools or whatever recording software you use with a multiple monitor setup may save you time and create a better recording experience. These guys are catching on and are the number four buyer of multi screen computer systems. Having the additional space makes the job easier. If you’re still convinced that using a Mac with one screen is best, consider this, some of the most talented and brightest producers and engineers in Hollywood as well as elsewhere have now started using multiple monitor displays to make the recording process flow more smoothly.

Number five on the list is you and me. I use a multi screen computer is because it allows me to increase my productivity. I usually have the news on one monitor, my music on another, a few Firefox browsers open and a couple just in case I need additional space. I write reviews for a living, so being able to quickly browse the net for research without having to minimize and maximize repeatedly saves me time. And at the end of the day, time really is money. I can produce more material and provide a better living for me and my family, and having multiple monitors has played a significant role in being able to do so.

Each day that passes results in a surge of the use of multi monitors. And there are several reasons why. I’m going to share with you a few of these reasons, and by the time you finish reading, you may be searching for the reasons why you haven’t already upgraded to a multiple monitor system.

Forex traders are probably the top purchaser of multi monitor computers. And there is good reason. When it comes to day trading or currency exchange, the last thing you have time to do is figure out which task bar is needed to make a quick exchange. With a dual monitor setup this no longer an issue, when the timing is right, you simply look up, down, to the left or to the right. This gives the forex or day trader time to make split second decisions and increase profits. If you’ve been trading without at least a dual monitor system, the only question you should ask is why?

Poker players are another top buyer of multiple monitor software. Having multiple screens allows players to have more tables open and therefore play more hands per hour. So if you think about it like any professional online poker player, it really comes down to the math. If you’re able to play on one or two tables with only one monitor, imagine what you can do with 6. The profit increases exponentially. When it comes to math, poker players are on the top of the scale.

Video game advocates and simulator nuts are number three on the list. When it comes to video games realistic graphics are a priority, but having more screen space is just about as important. Whether it’s RPGs or real life fighting and action, gamers prefer more screen space. And flight simulators need the additional screen space to create the peripheral type views that give flight simulators a realistic feel. The gaming experienced is improved with better graphics and more screen space. Dual Monitor Adapter won’t do.

The recording industry isn’t new, but using dual screens to control Pro Tools or whatever recording software you use may save you time and create a better recording experience. These guys are catching on and are the number four buyer of multi screen computer systems. Having the additional space makes the job easier. If you’re still convinced that using a Mac with one screen is best, consider this, some of the most talented and brightest producers and engineers in Hollywood as well as elsewhere have now started using dual screen monitors to make the recording process flow more smoothly.

Number five on the list is you and me. I use multiple monitors because it allows me to increase my productivity. I usually have the news on one monitor, my music on another, a few Firefox browsers open and a couple just in case I need additional space. I write reviews for a living, so being able to quickly browse the net for research without having to minimize and maximize repeatedly saves me time. And at the end of the day, time really is money. I can produce more material and provide a better living for me and my family, and having a dual monitor video card has played a significant role in being able to do so.

It’s about 4:00 at the local Panera Bread coffee shop and my laptop productivity is tarnished without my typical Multi-Monitor setup at home. At least if I had a Dual Screen desktop I could have Multi-Screens open to view my tasks independant of a tab browser which really gets to me. Especially when I click on a link and it changes my tab with a half written email to my lovely lady and when I page back, I have to start all over again. That really stinks!

I remember awhile back when me a couple friends created our first Dual Monitor system. Yeah little did we know that even with Dual Monitors our cpu might go crazy and sometimes it did. Fortunately it was all well worth having Multiple Monitors any day of the week. At least with a Multiple Monitor setup multi-tasking in Multi-Screen layout allowed for shorter time spent in front of the computer. Primarily because we could surf the net so much faster and more efficiently.

If you haven’t done so already, check out my friends at Multi-Monitors.com and check out some of their inventory. they have adapters that can give you Dual Screens instantly. They have great customer service as well, so if you have any questions just give them a call and tell them the MultipleMonitorGuru sent you. That will help us both get free stuff! Well maybe that’s just wishful thinking but you just never know.

Do Multiple Monitor Computers Really Increase Productivity?
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Considering the purchase of a multiple monitor computer system? I am often asked, “What’s the greatest benefit of a multi-monitor computer system?” Since investing in my 8 screen system a little over 2 years ago, I can say with avid assurance that my productivity has grown tremendously. With the invention of the LCD monitor (replacing those bulky and somewhat hazardous CRT monitors), I’m not the only one fond of having 8 monitors on my desktop. In this article, I’m going to demonstrate how using a multiple monitor computer system will improve your productivity.

If you’re like me, you always have half a dozen projects to work on. The ability to start and stop a project without maximizing and minimizing windows, or getting lost in your workspace, is essential. Only six months after I bought my first dual screen system, I was so impressed by the increase in my own productivity that I purchased multi-monitor computers for over half of my office. Within the last 18 months, the systems have paid for themselves many times over because my employees and I are able to accomplish more. I can honestly say this is due to our ability to multi-task, afforded by our multi-monitors. Our everyday tasks such as web editing, writing, marketing, and finances have become less burdensome.

We’re certainly not the first to take advantage of this technology. In 2002, as these types of multi-screen systems were making their way into the skyline offices, an informal study was conducted at Northrop Grumman. Each of their developers was given at least dual monitors. According to Darrell Norton at codebetter.com, some developers were given more, “The junior developers had dual 17″ monitors, two senior developers had a 21″ and a 17″ …two had a 21″ and 2 17″ monitors, and one had 3 17″ monitors.” After a twelve month trial, the following results were noted:

“Productivity in lines of code per day increased 10%

Defect levels decreased by 26%”

And based on the Likert scale (which uses a simple 1 to 5 rating system to measure qualitative benefits of multiple monitor systems), Mr. Norton was able to determine the following:

“On average, people would much rather have 2 smaller monitors than 1 larger monitor. Nobody answered that they preferred 1 monitor over 2 even a little bit.

Multiple monitors were most useful when the application had palettes or when 2 or 3 windows needed to be open, such as for programming/debugging.

The biggest complaint was desk space, since all of our monitors were CRTs (no LCDs).”

Each passing year these productivity numbers will increase. Why? Because as mentioned above, they were using old CRT monitors, meaning space was a limiting factor. Moreover, even programmers would have been hard pressed to find a CPU running faster than 1 GHz. That’s not much firing power for bulky applications. We’ve come a long way since then, and now it’d be difficult to find multiple monitors with less than quadruple the power of their machines. Even though the technology is growing exponentially, prices are actually staying about the same. If you factor in inflation over the past few years, they are slightly less.

Efficient multi-tasking remains possible because of technology’s ability to adapt to increased workloads. Understanding of these adaptations allows my business to enjoy both decreased waste and a higher volume of output. I might still be searching for a way to increase my company’s productivity, but I was fortunate enough to recognize the potential for better organization through increased multi-tasking functionality. This is possible because of multiple monitor computers.

Zealous computer gamers and people using Day Trading Computers do it, but I had no idea how easy it is to have a multiple monitor computer in my home office. Not untilI bought an upgraded video card for my PC and noted it had output connections for dual monitors. Once I saw that, I could not resist dusting off an old CRT monitor and hooking it up.

Many Windows and Mac computers (and reportedly some Linux systems as well) can operate with Multiple Monitors. With my Windows XP operating system, it only took a few keystrokes and mouse movements to set things up. As soon as I saw how it improved my productivity, I was an instant convert too.

Why would it even suprise me anyway? I mean survey after survey shows that whether you measure your productivity in facts researched, alien spaceships vaporized, or articles written, having Multi-Screen desktop will give your output a considerable boost-20 percent to 30 percent, according to a survey by J.P. Research mentioned in the N.Y. Times.

Now having Triple Monitor Computer, while I am editing this blog on my main screen, the screen on the right displays multi-tab browsing, and the screen to the left displays my spread sheet on popular links! I can refer to either one without the need to close my main focus, and that’s great.

If you want to edit photos, a second screen will let you compare the copy you are working on with the original, or show tool palettes and thumbnails of other images, and you can blow up panoramic shots for some extreme close-up viewing. When I am shopping online, my Multi-Monitor Display lets me compare products apples to apples. When I work on tables, and spreadsheets, I can see all the columns at once. When I expect important messages, I keep my e-mail program open on one of the side monitors while I work on something else.

With a single monitor, I could jump between applications with a mouse click or a keyboard command (Alt-Tab, in Windows), but not nearly as fast-and small delays add up when you repeat them dozens or even hundreds of times on a daily basis. With my Multi-Monitor displays, I simply roll my mouse ball from one screen to the other, and that’s the life should be.

Speed is probaly one of the biggest reasons computer game players use Multi-Monitor Displays. “If you’re trying to take over the world, it’s rather helpful,” says Bill Blomgren, a computer consultant in Charlotte, N.C.

Video game enthusiasts and Day Traders alike use as many moniotrs as they can afford or fit onto their workspace. “Some of my hard-core gamer buddies rock three, even four, monitors for really immersive 3-D shooters,” says a writer and reporter for cable TV station in Los Angles, CA.

Many new games, especially those that offer a choice of camera views (including quake and Doom), are explicity designed for Multi-Screens, but the option seems most popular for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Users of that propgram may typically use a Multi-Monitor Display to include instrument panels, maps, panoramic views ahead, views to the side, and exterior views of their virtual aircraft.

Remembering back when I originally switched to a dual monitor setup to gain efficiency online, I know I’ll never go back. The productivity benefits came not only in apparent gains but actually relieved stress and tension associated with my increasing frustration. Frustration that stemmed from the “single monitor blues.” O f course I have written about how easy it is to setup a multiple monitor system including but not limited to adding a dual monitor video card, to using a dual monitor adapter. So we already know how easy it is to create multiple monitor displays. Now we’re going to look at how to make the most of your multiple monitor setup. Here are 5 tips on efficiency using dual screen monitors that have worked for me. If you have a multi screen computer these tips will benefit you as well but to keep it simple this blog will address dual monitor backgrounds.

Relax Browser Tension.

In the days of the “single monitor blues” we can and often do fall into the trap of using one browser at a time and collecting tons of open tabs. That can increase crashing and slow PC performance way down. With dual monitors you can keep your Firefox open on the left screen and say Google Crome open on the right. Evidently Crome is well known for running applications and pages in tabs in such a manner that if one of the tabs go down, the other remaining tabs will stay intact, unlike the ole IE. However, we can say that Crome doesn’t have (yet) the available customizing features and huge array of extensions than that of Firefox. So to maintain “Maximum Up-time Efficiency” use a browser like Firefox for apps that use your favorite extensions, and Crome for the tab browsing and so forth.

Mighty Mouse Power.

Eventhough a lowly name such as mouse conjures up the idea of a small thing to be shooed away, the mouse proves to be a significant force waiting to be harnessed. I’ll give you some ideas here to make possibly the smallest deveice do some of the larger work.

1) Open a new tab in your browser by clicking on your scroll wheel once over a link.

2) Increase the size of your text in a document by holding the Ctrl key down and lightly move your mouses scroll wheel down. The text will increase in size. Hold the Crtl key down and move the scroll wheel up and the text returns to it’s normal size.

3) Instantly Select Lines of Text and paragraphs by using multiple mouse clicks. Highlight on a word with two quick clicks of a button, or scoop up the entire sentence with three quick clicks. If your in a word-pad document you can put the cursor in the middle of the paragraph, and click it three times and it will select the whole paragraph. Hit the delete button if want to see the quickest way to eject a whole paragraph.

Organize Your Desktop.

I use a bunch of different software applications, so my desktop can get cluttered very quickly. Having at dual monitor desktop can give you a place to separate operating system utilities from browser specific applications. This will also free up time used to find a shortcut in a sea of many, much like a diamond in a haystack.

Use Keyword Shortcuts.

Learning how to manipulate the keyboard and the mouse at the same time has been one of the most underrated (and least used) features of the system. Keyboard shortcuts are skills we can all use and they serve a helpful purpose when they can be recalled quickly. Here, I will remind you of some neat little shortcut tips to give you more time to do other things.

1) Quickly Access the Start Menu: hit either of the two those infamous “Windows” keys located on both sides of the space-bar.

2) Quickly get to your System Properties: Windows key+Pause/Break instead of going through that whole process of “My Computer” and so on.

3) Quickly Lock your System: Need to step away from your PC without hesitation but don’t want to leave your work to sneaky eyes? Use this Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key+L

4) When you need to access the Utility Manager try this handy Keyboard Shortcut: Windows key+U

5) Toggle through different open programs without the old minimizing and maximizing with this easy Keyboard Shortcut: Alt+Tab

Let the PC Rest.

Many times when our PC gets congested we can generally shut the system down and restart to a fresh rested computer. To minimize productivity loss from these types of CPU brain-farts, shut down your computer when not in use. Turn it back on while your preparing to get into your state and let your PC get into it’s state. This will help your PC be free from the many side dumps of data we typically go through throughout the day, and can help prevent your computer from freezing up when its had enough.

With these 5 tips on staying efficient, you and your beloved PC can go on to see many more miles in less time. After all isn’t that the whole point? If you have questions on mounting dual monitors check out my other blog. Go Surf!