Dual Monitors or one big monitor?

[pahecko]

I'm debating on the setup, either 2 19" lcd (though the res is a bit low) or one 23/24" lcd.

This is mainly for work, coding and some photoshop. Either way, it's a pain with only one monitor.

 

[CTrainBEB]

go with dual monitors. It is like the matrix, you can't be told how awesome it is, but once you use it you can't go back.

 

[acx]

It depends on if you can fit your two open files into screenspace that is 1920 pixels wide.

 

[icejunkie]

Get 2 Dell 2001FPs when one of those good deals and coupon stacking is available... For what you are going to do it's awesome...
Maybe even the 2005FPW if you are so inclined...

 

[ZL1]

Id take one big
why ? because I tried dual once upon a time and didnt see that much of an advantage, I found it that with a fast machine its ok with one monitor, tab is moving fast enough
(tried it a total of 3 times over a period of 7 or so years)
but this is just my opinion, Id say u need to consider your needs and if you have two old monitors available you can run a nice experiment, see two 14-17s vs one 19


D

 

[beatle]

2 or more monitors is a MUST! Now that most video cards come with 2 outputs and the price of displays dropping, the cost of running more than one display is within the reach of most people. I have 3 now. When I went to 2 for a period of time, I felt cramped.

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: beatle
2 or more monitors is a MUST! Now that most video cards come with 2 outputs and the price of displays dropping, the cost of running more than one display is within the reach of most people. I have 3 now. When I went to 2 for a period of time, I felt cramped.

a "must" ?

and by the way costs are still rather high, if you want a good monitor it will be expensive so two of them will be even more
IMO vcard output was rarely the main problem, I always saw monitor availabilty and desk space as the main problem


D

 

[acx]

I've worked with 20"LCD+19"CRT, 23" widescreen lcd, and 19"LCD+18"LCD.

23/24" Widescreen LCD Pros:
1. Widescreen, can display a larger widescreen movie image
2. No bezel in the middle
3. Good for working with material that requires as much width spanning as possible and where a bezel would get in the way

2x 19" LCD
1. Independent inputs, you can display images from two different sources at the same time
2. Good for working with material that requires two windows to be open at the same time

When I was doing CAD work, it was much easier to have a schematic on one monitor maximized to the full screen and the actiual layout on the other monitor maximized to the full screen. It also made it easier to generate code while reading a specification document on a separate monitor.

When I was working with Photoshop images and video editiing, it is much easier on 23" widescreen because the bezel did not get in the way of the image editing. Portait mode also made reading research papers better since most documents are formated in 8.5x11 portrait mode.

If I could, I would use a 23" widescreen LCD with a 20"LCD and get the best of both worlds. I prefer 23" and not 24" because the vertical dimensions of a 23" widescreen LCD screen is the same as a 20" LCD screen.

 

[beatle]

I don't throw away my old monitors, so when I upgrade (every 3-4 years) I add them on. Nowadays you can find decent monitors for under $100. I don't feel the need to have a current top-of-the-line monitor as my secondary or tertiary display. If you must have 2 high end monitors, then the cost will be higher.

Desk space is also a concern, yes. I feel that it's important enough to make it work. I bought my current desk based on the fact that it can easily accomodate more than 2 monitors easily.

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: beatle
I don't throw away my old monitors, so when I upgrade (every 3-4 years) I add them on. Nowadays you can find decent monitors for under $100. I don't feel the need to have a current top-of-the-line monitor as my secondary or tertiary display. If you must have 2 high end monitors, then the cost will be higher.

Desk space is also a concern, yes. I feel that it's important enough to make it work. I bought my current desk based on the fact that it can easily accomodate more than 2 monitors easily.

I dont throw them away either (usually sell em), but this is not the point, we werent talking about individual cases here
one way or another Id preffer a 19" high end monitor to two 17" mid class monitors

this is only my opinion

 

[Voltik]

I just bought an 19" LCD monitor on DVI input and have a 19" CRT on analog on my 9700pro. I messed around with the display settings and got the extended monitor to work. The problem now is that I wanted to test the monitor vs. lcd but can't get a game or anything else to display on both the monitors at the same time. I can't get back to how it was when I first plugged in the monitor where it showed the same screens. Everytime I turn off extended display, either one of the monitors turn off. Any solutions to this or external program I could use to test the LCD?

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: Voltik
I just bought an 19" LCD monitor on DVI input and have a 19" CRT on analog on my 9700pro. I messed around with the display settings and got the extended monitor to work. The problem now is that I wanted to test the monitor vs. lcd but can't get a game or anything else to display on both the monitors at the same time. I can't get back to how it was when I first plugged in the monitor where it showed the same screens. Everytime I turn off extended display, either one of the monitors turn off. Any solutions to this or external program I could use to test the LCD?

unfortunately a game or something fullscreenish like that wont work on both monitors, they just dont support the idea
the only way to do that (as far as I know) is a signal split box

D

 

[Melchior]

Some games do support multi monitor, but not all obviously.

Download a program like UltraMon, and you'll be all set.

As for 2 monitors vs 1, 2 is always better for any multitasking or even day to day use. If you find yourself opening your computer to play games ONLY, then 2 monitors will be worthless for the most part.

 

[pahecko]

Originally posted by: Melchior
Some games do support multi monitor, but not all obviously.

Download a program like UltraMon, and you'll be all set.

As for 2 monitors vs 1, 2 is always better for any multitasking or even day to day use. If you find yourself opening your computer to play games ONLY, then 2 monitors will be worthless for the most part.

Multi monitor has ALWAYS been the choice for a workstation, but now that 23" or even 30" lcd are at a "relatively" cheap, would it not be more economic to get one of those instead of 2 19" ? + Wouldn?t you get same workflow benefit as 2 monitors ?

I know this is a question of personal preference. I would be using this monitor as a entertainment center as well. But the main functions will still be work.

I currently have one 19" crt (1600 x 1200). A 19" = 1280 x 1024. So, one 1920 x 1200 or 2 1280 x 1028 ? (again, i will be watching movies, playing games and working[++]. Which would be the better investment ? )

 

[bjc112]

I would prefer one 1920x1200 monitor.

I have used dual before and it doesn't benefit me personally that much. Kinda cool, but one big LCD is sweet.

The 2405 is nice, especially @ $1000. (24in)

 

[pahecko]

Originally posted by: acx
I've worked with 20"LCD+19"CRT, 23" widescreen lcd, and 19"LCD+18"LCD.

23/24" Widescreen LCD Pros:
1. Widescreen, can display a larger widescreen movie image
2. No bezel in the middle
3. Good for working with material that requires as much width spanning as possible and where a bezel would get in the way

2x 19" LCD
1. Independent inputs, you can display images from two different sources at the same time
2. Good for working with material that requires two windows to be open at the same time

When I was doing CAD work, it was much easier to have a schematic on one monitor maximized to the full screen and the actiual layout on the other monitor maximized to the full screen. It also made it easier to generate code while reading a specification document on a separate monitor.

When I was working with Photoshop images and video editiing, it is much easier on 23" widescreen because the bezel did not get in the way of the image editing. Portait mode also made reading research papers better since most documents are formated in 8.5x11 portrait mode.

If I could, I would use a 23" widescreen LCD with a 20"LCD and get the best of both worlds. I prefer 23" and not 24" because the vertical dimensions of a 23" widescreen LCD screen is the same as a 20" LCD screen.

So basically, if you're working with one program that requires a large workspace (or could always use), the single largre monitor is better then a dual setup. Thus, if i'm having to have 2 or more windows/programs open at once, at dual setup would be more effective ?

I agree with the pros and cons, having the bezel or not, plus the price is my real concern. Will the bezel affect my workflow more vs. the single 23/24" monitor ?

 

[acx]

The bezel will only affect you if you need to work on one document and expand it across multiple monitors. Usually this is work with images since text fits comfortably in a 1280 pixel wide monitor. If you code more often than you do photoshop work, then a dual monitor setup is a better idea.

Dual 19" LCDs will cost less than a single 23" widescreen LCD. There is/was a recent deal on a DELL 2405FP, 24" widescreen LCD for $860. But 23/24" widescreen LCDs usually run at $1500 or higher depending on model and features. Dell's new 2405FP carries a normal price of $1200 so prices for other 23/24" widescreen lcd monitors may drop in response. 19" LCDs will cost from $300-$500 depending on brand and features. So two 19" LCDs will cost $800-$900 and a single 24" LCD will cost $1200+. I'd recommend 2x 19" LCDs for better value unless the majority of your work is Photoshop.

 

[pahecko]

so, in your experience, dual monitors work better ?

See, I would have an 19" monitor if it wasn't for the 1280x1024 res. Thus, if i was to get dual lcds, i'd get dual 21" for the 1600x 1200 res. Now, 2 21" lcds cost the same as 1 23" lcd and cost about the same. Though the dual 21" will get you more res. So, go for the dual 21" (1600x1200 x 2) or the 23/24" (1920x1600) ?


Again, workflow being the prime focus (Web, photoshop and a few windows open).

based on your experience.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: ZL1

Originally posted by: beatle
I don't throw away my old monitors, so when I upgrade (every 3-4 years) I add them on. Nowadays you can find decent monitors for under $100. I don't feel the need to have a current top-of-the-line monitor as my secondary or tertiary display. If you must have 2 high end monitors, then the cost will be higher.

Desk space is also a concern, yes. I feel that it's important enough to make it work. I bought my current desk based on the fact that it can easily accomodate more than 2 monitors easily.

I dont throw them away either (usually sell em), but this is not the point, we werent talking about individual cases here
one way or another Id preffer a 19" high end monitor to two 17" mid class monitors

this is only my opinion

I wouldn't use dual 17s. When you're focusing on a single monitor, I'd want it to be at least a 19. My first dual monitor setup was a 19 + 17.

 

[tallman45]

2 monitors is that way to go. Many in the Financial field use 3 monitor workstations

 

[acx]

Since you are working on a multiple windows at the same time, I suggest going the 2x 20" LCD route.

 

[bersl2]

Originally posted by: acx
When I was doing CAD work, it was much easier to have a schematic on one monitor maximized to the full screen and the actiual layout on the other monitor maximized to the full screen. It also made it easier to generate code while reading a specification document on a separate monitor.

When I was working with Photoshop images and video editiing, it is much easier on 23" widescreen because the bezel did not get in the way of the image editing. Portait mode also made reading research papers better since most documents are formated in 8.5x11 portrait mode.

You've just had too much MDI exposure. A few days' bed rest will clear that right up.

(EDIT: I've just decided that I have no idea WTF I am talking about.)

 

[imverygifted]

i think for web design i like 2 monitors better, have photoshop open in one window- then notepad/ html editor in another and you can multitast easier. in general though i'd rather have one big one for games and movies one would be better

 

[WhipperSnapper]

This is probably a dumb question, but if a video card has two monitor outputs (of any type) is it safe to assume that it will run dual monitors? Are special software and drivers required?

As far as operation goes, do the two monitors acts as one large desktop? If I drag a window from my right monitor towards the left side of the screen, will it seemlessly move to the left monitor as though it were just one large coherent screen? I'm under the impression that it works that way.

So, any video card with two monitor outputs would work? You need dual DVI for two LCD monitors, but a DVI + VGA would allow for two CRT monitors (need a huge desk for two 19" CRTs)?

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper

This is probably a dumb question, but if a video card has two monitor outputs (of any type) is it safe to assume that it will run dual monitors? Are special software and drivers required?

As far as operation goes, do the two monitors acts as one large desktop? If I drag a window from my right monitor towards the left side of the screen, will it seemlessly move to the left monitor as though it were just one large coherent screen? I'm under the impression that it works that way.

So, any video card with two monitor outputs would work? You need dual DVI for two LCD monitors, but a DVI + VGA would allow for two CRT monitors (need a huge desk for two 19" CRTs)?

pretty much yes to everything (win will handle the soft), not sure about dvi+dsub for two crts, but it should
vga is video graphics adapter
you are talking about the 15pin connector called dsub


D