Multiple displays allow you to extend, or mirror, your displays. Orientation will allow you to change whether your display has a portrait or landscape orientation. If you have an older monitor but are using a newer graphics card, you can also adjust settings to hike your resolution higher than possible by default.Ĭontinue changing whatever options suit you. There are many benefits to these newer cable types, two of which are immediately pertinent: newer cable types offer better image display, and DisplayPorts function as the Swiss army knife of cables by adapting to all the connection types mentioned. HDMI and DisplayPort are the newer types of connections for monitors, while DVI and VGA are older. There are a few types of cables which you will generally encounter when connecting a monitor to your PC: DVI (white by default), VGA (blue by default), HDMI, and DisplayPort.
For a multiple monitor setup, you'll have to ensure that your graphics card supports multiple monitors in the first place. Many confuse one cable type for another, which can be a serious hassle. More important than your new monitor's dimensions is the proper cable type needed to connect your monitor to its appropriate port. You can even use your laptop as a second monitor! For a basic dual-monitor setup, not much more than a 23.8-inch display would be necessary. Yet, the setup for an expensive or budget monitor is exactly the same. Higher price points are typically determined by larger screen sizes and display resolutions. You don't have to sacrifice any particular function to monitor hardware, listen to music, edit graphic elements, analyze data, or write content.Īcer R240HY bidx 23.8-Inch IPS HDMI DVI VGA (1920 x 1080) Widescreen Monitor, Black BUY NOW ON AMAZON In other words, alternate displays allow users additional screen real-estate. You're able to view all available tools, menu selections, and information at all times without having to constantly switch between tasks. That's why a dual-monitor setup, for example, allows users dramatic increases in productivity.
Most programs-especially those used in professional settings-display tools rather poorly when using even half of a complete display. Where dual or multi-monitor setups excel, however, is in their productivity bump. Compared to a single display, multi-display setups allow you to tailor different screens according to their distinct function and purpose. There are even clip-on USB monitors for laptops that make dual- and triple- monitor setups possible in mobile setups.There are a plethora of benefits from adding an additional monitor, or monitors, to your workstation.įor one, the aesthetic opportunities of a dual or triple monitor setup are fantastic. It’s a great trick if you don’t permanently need dual monitors, or want to benefit from that setup on the road. Either by using a dedicated USB display or using a tablet like the Apple iPad and an app like DuetDisplay. But if you find the dual-monitor life is the one for you, then these dual monitor programs are essential to keep all that real-estate under control.ĭon’t forget that you can also easily add an extra screen via USB. We still recommend getting an ultrawide screen for the productivity gains and lack of mid-screen bezel, if you’re starting from a blank slate.
Third-party developers did a lot of free research and development work for Microsoft, who simply had to copy the features that worked for their own operating system.
The truth is that, for most users, the best dual-monitor management features are already built into Windows 10.
Windows 10 also has a snazzy virtual desktop feature, shortcut keys to quickly switch multi-monitor modes and easy shortcuts to snap or maximize windows. Windows 10 natively supports having different wallpapers on each screen. There are now a wealth of multi-monitor customization options built into windows, with support for just about any arrangement and mix or resolutions and orientations. Which means that, if you are already running Windows 10, there are a bunch of features baked into the system that you’d have needed a third-party solution for in the past. Microsoft has been paying attention to the world of third-party multi-monitor utilities.
MultiMon is quite a stable piece of software as well, so if you have a multi-monitor system of the right vintage, it’s worth checking out. This free tool is only designed to work up to Windows 7, but there are still plenty of computers out there running this older operating system. That includes not showing apps on the primary monitor taskbar that aren’t that monitor. Each monitor’s taskbar only shows the apps on that monitor. It can do this for up to three monitor setups. The free version of the dual monitor software adds taskbars to extended monitors in Windows.