Why would someone want dual-head setup?

[Haervii]

Just to look at two monitors?? Whats the point?

 

[Remedy]

Do you know anything about dual monitor setup?

 

[Windogg]

1) Many graphic designers want their art on one screen while their tools, etc are on another.
2) Presenters that want multiple outputs. I.E. on a monitor in the speaking podium and another on a projector.
3) Really busy people. Some people like their work on one screen and another for stuff like email.
4) Compulsive websurfers. 2 browsers, twice the fun.
5) Or just pure people that want to show off for no reason.

Windogg

 

[snow patrol]

Windogg summed it up quite nicely, 2 monitors are undoubtedly a good thing

 

[Radboy]

For those who edit video, you can put an NTSC monitor (TV) on the 2nd head (Matrox G400), and have a much better idea of what your footage (really) looks like, than in the little window (Adobe) Premiere gives you. We use a 13-inch Sony Trinitron on the 2nd head. Makes a world of diff.

 

[TheBigZ]

6. Because all the cool kids are doing it!

 

[Kishkumen]

I use two monitors myself for programming, one is a debug/code window the other has the GUI for my running application. For programming 3D apps this makes a world of difference since one can stay in 3D while I step through program execution in a normal 2D environment/display.

 

[Jonny]

You have to try it to understand the beauty of it.

I love doing web work on one monitor, and viewing it on the other monitor. Its also great for doing school work. I have word open on one screen, and information Iam using on the other screen.

Futhur, it can be as simple as having all you instant messengers and Winamp on the other screen just to have a little more room to work with.

 

[Haervii]

Ok, well it might be useful for those who use computers for practical reasons. But not for gamers

 

[Cknyc]

I want a second monitor. All I need is some money for the second monitor and a second agp slot.

 

[Ruben]

The only sucky thing is that PCI cards are hard to find these days (and more expensive then AGP cards), especially with W2K. None of the cheap S3 cards work, for instance.
With 2 monitors, you just see more. Why would someone want a 21" monitor opposed to a 14" one? DUH!

BTW, when you've experienced 2 monitors, you get traumatised when you switch back to 1 monitor again

 

[Helpless]

Why not for gamers? ...used to be addicted to EQ, and looking at on two 19" monitors would rock!

 

[ETLA]

for designers like me....when I open 2-3 programs sometimes even 4-6, they all have toolboxes and the images I am working on, now take that as just one project and one image/file, going back and forth just takes 2much time and sometimes not very effcient. checkout my post on Dual Monitor setup questioning the video card for the dual setup.

 

[Noriaki]

<< I use two monitors myself for programming, one is a debug/code window the other has the GUI for my running application. For programming 3D apps this makes a world of difference since one can stay in 3D while I step through program execution in a normal 2D environment/display. >>



That's why I'm going twin monitors.
Windogg summed it up nicely.

As for good PCI cards..really only 3dfx makes them.
I have a V3-2000 AGP, but I think I'll have an opportunity to swap it for a V3-2000 PCI, and I'm getting a Radeon this week, so that'll give me a pair.
But the only truly &quot;good&quot; PCI card from a gaming viewpoint is the V5-5500..and even that isn't great..underpowered for it's price IMHO, but there are many who would disagree.
I find the image quality on my V3 satisfactory to 1024x768x32x75Hz (2D windows stuff I mean) and it will be attached to a 17&quot; monitor. So that's enough for it.

Depends what you do...I hope to be able to disable my V3PCI/17&quot; for games...but some games 2 monitors is kind of handy.

 

[Redneck]

Why not try to find an old Matrox G200 for a PCI card? I think Matrox still has them in their online store. Great image quality and I've heard that they dont require an IRQ (perfect for fully loaded workstaions)

 

[Ditiris]

Don't have dual heads myself, but supposedly, some games are supposed to take great advantage of this feature. For instance, imagine you are playing Mechwarrior 3, isn't it annoying to have to press the F-whatever key to bring up your wingman functions? I think MW3 was one of the games that was supposed to take advantage of dual heads. In Falcon 4, I believe you are supposed to be able to have all of your MFD's (Multi-Function Displays) on one screen, and your HUD view on the other. I am not sure if this was actually implemented, but I remember reading it somewhere at one time. This would rock for games to have a map on one screen, and the POV from the character on the other. I don't think it ever really caught on because the customer base and desire for it just wasn't big enough.

 

[HD2GO]

What's the Point??? You gotta be kidding!! I like to look at two display full of stock charts all updating at the same time! Time is money. Information is money. Have you seen any stock broker having anything less than two monitors??? They can tell you why.