Dual monitors

Al3X · **Posted:** February 16th, 2009, 5:16 pm

I was thinking about getting a new computer monitor, as the one I have is getting a bit outdated (LCD from 2005, 1024x768).

I wanted a 1280x1024 or bigger, but then I thought, what about doing a dual monitor setup?

Since I know at least one person on here has duals (chief), I have a few questions about them.

-Does it matter wether or not the two monitors have the same dimensions/resolution?
-How does the mouse work then, does it jump seamlessly between the two monitors?
-Is it difficult to setup, and do I need extra hardware besides a second monitor?
-Would I be better off going dual, or just buying a new monitor and using one?

Well that's it for now.

Adbot · **Posted:** February 16th, 2009, 5:16 pm

Shane · **Posted:** February 16th, 2009, 6:49 pm

Al3X wrote:

-Does it matter wether or not the two monitors have the same dimensions/resolution?
-How does the mouse work then, does it jump seamlessly between the two monitors?
-Is it difficult to setup, and do I need extra hardware besides a second monitor?
-Would I be better off going dual, or just buying a new monitor and using one?

1. No
2. Yep
3. Nope, just plug it in, restart and windows will see it. Providing your video card has dual outputs or you have 2 video cards.
4. Depends. 2 20" gives you 3,528,000 pixels to work with, 1 24" gives 2,304,000. 2 24" would give you 4,608,000. I like dual because it makes it easier to move stuff around for organizational purposes.

Right now I have 1440x900 (MBP) and 1680x1050 (Samsung 206BW). Then on Windows I can have 1680x1050 (Samsung 206BW) and 1280x1024 (LG).

My ideal setup would be 1 30" flanked by 2 20" (portrait) for auxiliary things.

Al3X · **Posted:** February 16th, 2009, 7:32 pm

Shane wrote:

Al3X wrote:

-Does it matter wether or not the two monitors have the same dimensions/resolution?
-How does the mouse work then, does it jump seamlessly between the two monitors?
-Is it difficult to setup, and do I need extra hardware besides a second monitor?
-Would I be better off going dual, or just buying a new monitor and using one?

1. No
2. Yep
3. Nope, just plug it in, restart and windows will see it. Providing your video card has dual outputs or you have 2 video cards.
4. Depends. 2 20" gives you 3,528,000 pixels to work with, 1 24" gives 2,304,000. 2 24" would give you 4,608,000. I like dual because it makes it easier to move stuff around for organizational purposes.

Right now I have 1440x900 (MBP) and 1680x1050 (Samsung 206BW). Then on Windows I can have 1680x1050 (Samsung 206BW) and 1280x1024 (LG).

My ideal setup would be 1 30" flanked by 2 20" (portrait) for auxiliary things.

Thank you good sir.

Now how would I go about finding out if my video card has dual outputs?

edit:
also, if I maximize something, does it maximize to both screens, or just to the monitor it is currently on?

Shane · **Posted:** February 16th, 2009, 9:31 pm

Just look on the back for a VGA or another DVI input.

And when you maximize it goes onto one screen.

Al3X · **Posted:** February 17th, 2009, 5:38 am

Shane wrote:

Just look on the back for a VGA or another DVI input.

And when you maximize it goes onto one screen.

mmkai, thanks.

Aquw VettelS 776 · **Posted:** March 1st, 2009, 2:34 pm

-Does it matter whether or not the two monitors have the same dimensions/resolution?

No, not at all.

-How does the mouse work then, does it jump seamlessly between the two monitors?

Yes, as if it's just one screen.

-Is it difficult to setup, and do I need extra hardware besides a second monitor?

Nope. But your graphics card must be able to support dual monitors (ie. have plugs for them). If not, if your motherboard is Dual SLI, you could have 2 GPUs.

-Would I be better off going dual, or just buying a new monitor and using one?

It depends what you use it for. I have dual monitors and I don't know how I managed without them!

Adbot · **Posted:** March 1st, 2009, 2:34 pm

Stats1122 · **Posted:** March 10th, 2009, 2:58 pm

woah, a dual monitor would be wicked :idea:

addiv · **Posted:** March 10th, 2009, 3:36 pm

Once you have multiple monitors you can never go back.

Mushroom Queen · **Posted:** March 11th, 2009, 1:13 pm

Whoah, Addiv! One day, when I have skillz to pay the billz, I'm so getting three monitors.