To dual-monitor, or not to dual-monitor?

[RavenSEAL]

I get my two new monitors tomorrow, I'll decide whether I'll keep all 3 or not depending on how annoying the differences are between the LEDs and the LCD.

 

[dennilfloss]

Single minotaur here.

There's only a small portion of my FOV that's in focus with my glasses anyway.

 

[AzNKiD]

I dont see anyone mentioning it, but what software are you guys using to add taskbar and separate wall paper for duel monitors?

I know about ultramon, but I need something freeware for my work computer. I unofficially rig together two spare monitors at work to do this, so I cant use any license software. Currently using multimonitor taskbar, but its missing a lot of features.

 

[aldamon]

Just added a 19" to my 20" screen last week. Have had two screens at work for years so it's nice to have it at home now on my rig. It's also useful to have my WHS hooked up to one of the monitors so I can have both computers on screen at the same time and to have a spare VGA input for laptop diagnostics. Basically, a single monitor sucks.

I dont see anyone mentioning it, but what software are you guys using to add taskbar and separate wall paper for duel monitors?

I know about ultramon, but I need something freeware for my work computer. I unofficially rig together two spare monitors at work to do this, so I cant use any license software. Currently using multimonitor taskbar, but its missing a lot of features.

ZBar is free and good enough for me a home. I have Ultramon at work though. Tip for ZBar: When you run it, the configuration app is hidden by default in the system tray by Windows 7. Unhide it to configure the program. That stumped me for an embarrassingly long time.

 

[Tweak155]

I have a 27" main display I've used for 3 years by itself. I'm pretty good with 1920x1200 resolution and utilizing it, but some things are better with 2 monitors.

I now have a 2nd 24" 1920x1200 IPS monitor set to arrive today. My setup is quite interesting:

My computer room is the next room over from my bedroom. So what I did was drill a hole in the wall to run internet to all my gaming systems set up in my bedroom (I have a projector in the bedroom & 55" LCD tv). I then just recently got the genius idea to use my receiver to run my desktop to my projector through the wall, and use a wireless keyboard and mouse in my bedroom when I want to use the projector.

And then I got more genius.

This 2nd monitor's input will be decided by the receiver. I can flip on Xbox, PS3 or use the monitor to extend my display. The way I routed the cabling I can play the sound from my Xbox / PS3 on my computer speakers simply by plugging it into the extended headphone wire I also ran through the wall.

So now I can do console gaming on my 2nd monitor, or flip it and use it for real estate on my PC, all while my 27" is dedicated to my main PC display. It basically works like this:

Xbox/PS3/Secondary PC output -> Receiver -> 2nd monitor

I just flip the receiver to whichever I want to use, and it is all operated in the other room. So when I play xbox for example I don't even have to hear the system noise, and since the controller is natively wireless, I'm good to go. If the xbox controller (or PS3) starts to run low on battery, it can charge via a USB port on my computer.

So now I can basically run my PS3, Xbox, & PC to either a 55" TV, ~100" projector (1080p), or my 24" monitor that is arriving, and have the sound working in either room.

 

[irishScott]

Guy at my old job had 4 in his cubicle. One windows desktop and 3 hi-contrast terminal windows at any given time. Wonder which ATOTer he was...

 

[RavenSEAL]

So apparently, the Black Friday gods really set out to piss me off on this one.

Besides one monitor being delayed by a day, now one is fucking taller than the other by 1/4th of an inch for whatever reason.

 

[Locut0s]

So apparently, the Black Friday gods really set out to piss me off on this one.

Besides one monitor being delayed by a day, now one is fucking taller than the other by 1/4th of an inch for whatever reason.

Same model and brand and one is higher than the other? Sounds like it's not sitting right.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Same model and brand and one is higher than the other? Sounds like it's not sitting right.

Yep, both are the exact same models and brand, It's really pissing me off. I stared at the UPC sticker for like 10 minutes...

 

[RavenSEAL]

Oh, and yeah, I've been playing with the base for like an hour now, no noticeable difference until you actually sit them together with the screens on, side by side. A pair of CD cases are doing the job for now, but it really pisses on the aesthetics of my desk.

 

[Locut0s]

Yep, both are the exact same models and brand, It's really pissing me off. I stared at the UPC sticker for like 10 minutes...

Something must not be seated right/fully at the back where the monitor stand connects.

 

[RavenSEAL]

So i dismantled the base and there seems to be some sort of defect in one of them that is causing the height difference. Anyways, like 20 band-aids later, behold:

 

[RavenSEAL]

and obviously for reference:

 

[Locut0s]

So i dismantled the base and there seems to be some sort of defect in one of them that is causing the height difference. Anyways, like 20 band-aids later, behold:

lol, bandaids. Duct tape that motherfucker!

Looking good. Have to say I'm not a fan of any acer product as a rule. But if the price is right, it's a nice enough looking setup.

 

[RavenSEAL]

lol, bandaids. Duct tape that motherfucker!

Looking good. Have to say I'm not a fan of any acer product as a rule. But if the price is right, it's a nice enough looking setup.

Can't complain for $110/pop. :biggrin:

Nice upgrade from my Gateway LCD.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

As long as the resolution is high enough to allow for simultaneously running of a browser window and another for movies then its good enough for me. I would take a single large high res monitor over two LCDs as personally I'd hate to deal with looking at the bezels and moving my head left and right.

We do utilise two monitors at work when looking at Xrays, but it takes up just as much real estate as a single 27" monitor would.

 

[Nebor]

lol, bandaids. Duct tape that motherfucker!

Looking good. Have to say I'm not a fan of any acer product as a rule. But if the price is right, it's a nice enough looking setup.

I've been resisting that Acer 27" 3D Monitor for about a year now. I keep waiting for something bigger to come out (currently used 2d 28".) Or at least something from a more reputable brand in 27". So far nothing, except a bunch of Samsungs that aren't compatible with 3dvision.