Discussion:Dual Monitor
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Discussion Forum Index --> General Chat --> Dual Monitor
| 16 March 2008 | |
| Anyone have a dual monitor setup? If so, how do you like it? I know how to do it and many people I know rave about it.
Thanks, Tom PS: CrowJD - since you are still using the abacus, do you use two at the same time? Just curious... Tom | |
| 16 March 2008 | |
| Hey Tom,
The dual monitor system is the best thing since sliced bread. I love it and would never go back to a single monitor situation. Truth be known, if I could have 6 monitors I would . But no , dual monitors in my case led to more efficient operations as I am able to have trial balance software on one and tax return on the other without having to leaf through papers. It takes some getting used to, but well worth it, IMHO | |
| 16 March 2008 | |
| Cheaper alternative is a large widescreen monitor, you are able to place the two programs side by side and work that way. Same basic concept though. In this day and age though it is almost a must to have one or the other for efficiency purposes alone. | |
| 16 March 2008 | |
| Dual monitors are best. Programs pop up automatically on the preferred moniror. Widescreen's do not work the same. Not as good. | |
| 16 March 2008 | |
| Derek & DZ,
That's pretty much what I've been hearing as well. Not to downplay Andrew's comments, but other CPA's I've spoken with have raved about the dual monitor setup. Anyone else? Tom | |
| 16 March 2008 | |
| When I worked at a CPA firm I used dual 15 inch LCD's. It greatly increased my productivity AND reduced the mental fatigue of constantly opening and closing windows. It also resulted in less printing, since I no longer had to print out spreadsheets and other documents for reference. I could easily have my email open on one monitor with a spreadsheet or trial balance and easily enter info into the tax software.
I could also do tax research on RIA or CCH on one monitor and cut and paste my findings to a Word document or into an email on the other monitor. Going back to working on one monitor made me feel crippled. I do a lot of research and writing and 2 screens is almost essential to really be efficient. Website open on one, OpenOffice document open on the other. I've recently purchased a notebook computer and am currently shopping for a second monitor to use with it as my primary monitor. I'm looking at 20 or 22 inch wide screen monitors. If you are multi-tasking, you need more than one monitor. I could use 3, but 2 will be a big improvement. I am a big believer in leveraging technology and I've never regretted any upgrade in technology except for a $300 PDA I purchased and just never could find a good use for. One think to keep in mind I think is whether you want wide-screen monitors. A regular screen will have greater vertical real estate which can help minimize scrolling, whereas a wide-screen is great if you do a lot of spreadsheet work. And definitely try to get two monitors that are the same, so they fit together nicely and can function as one desktop. My two cents. | |
| 16 March 2008 | |
| TOM, get Ultramon software off the web - it helps you manage the dual moniters. One thing to watch for: you want both of your video cards to be the same to minimize conflicts. | |
| March 16, 2008 | |
| I use my laptop and a Dell widescreen monitor and love it! I can actually have three windows open and see all three clearly. Two monitors is now actually the norm in most places from what I've seen. | |
| 17 March 2008 | |
| Is anyone using the new monitors with the glossy reflective screens? Do you get used to the occasional glare? | |
Biztaxtalk (talk|edits) said: | 17 March 2008 |
| I thought it was silly until I got the dual-monitor setup now I'd never go back! I kept my old monitor & added Dell wide screen that I've turned vertically. I can see so much more when I'm working in my tax software.
I like to maximize the windows so I don't think one big monitor would work as well for me. | |
| 17 March 2008 | |
| I saw the new dell advertisement pack and it had 4 monitors across the front. I used to get excited when the Victoria Secrets catalog would come. Now a Dell ad gets me all hot and bothered. How very sad. lol.
Someone pass me a beer. | |
| March 17, 2008 | |
| I've never had glare on my monitors. The only thing I wish I had that I do not is some type of ruler that I could slide down the screen to track where I'm at on a page. Four monitors seems to be a bit much. I don't have enough room on my desk for four. | |
PHIL MOODY (talk|edits) said: | 17 March 2008 |
| Natalie, quick, patent it. I would use it also.
Have never seen one, but its a great idea. | |
| March 17, 2008 | |
| OK, stupid question. Can you add a second monitor to an existing computer system with doing something to the 'insides'? I've seen on the Dell website where you specifically order a set-up for dualies, and I vaguely remember a reference that the video card compatability is critical.
Oh, maybe that answers my question...have to have a second video card. I have a huge monitor, but can see (pun intended) the benefit of a second along with the big one. I like Natalie's idea of the laptop, and that ruler thing. I know of a patent attorney in Chicago area.... | |
| 17 March 2008 | |
| Belle,
I am not aware of anything. Most everything I am aware of includes adding another video card unless Kevin's idea of the Ultramon Software does the trick. But I seriously doubt it. Now, you can add a video card compatible with your old monitor and new monitor. Right now, that's what I have to do as a temporary solution, because right now I need to do a dual solution. Later on this year, I can get another monitor that's the same and give my old monitor to my daughter and build her a system. Besides, the wife needs a new computer, so over the summer, I will be busy building some new computers. Tom | |
| 17 March 2008 | |
| need to have 2 compatable video cards and Ultramon software to do it correctly. That's what I posted earlier. : ) | |
| 17 March 2008 | |
| You did say that Kevin. My apologies.
I just never set my systems up like that. Too much aggravation. Now, I have redundant hard drives and power supplies. Just not two video cards. Tom | |
| 17 March 2008 | |
| Having 2 video cards may be the preferred situation, especially if you have graphics intensive applications, but it isn't always necessary. You just need to make sure that your current video card supports the resolution of the second monitor. If you purchased your computer withing the last few years, it probably does. Laptops come with one (usually integrated) video card, but you can plug in another monitor, as Natalie has done, and as I intend to do.
I have heard good things about Ultramon software. | |
| March 17, 2008 | |
| My laptop is just about five years old, but David is correct. All I had to do was plug in the additional monitor. In the control panel I tell it to act as an extension of my desktop. | |
| 17 March 2008 | |
| Ultramon lets you extend moniter 1 to moniter 2 and 3, or arrange 1, 2, 3 in any order, as well as tell it which programs to pop up on which screen. With 3 keystrokes you can also mirror 1 to 2. For instance, I can look at 2006 return (pdf or have 06 software running) on left moniter while I key in 07 on right. OR, if the client is with me, I can mirror 1 to 2, so that they are looking at the same thing I am.
For every user that buys Ultramon, 2 kitten's lives are saved. | |
| 20 March 2008 | |
| Kevin,
Save the kittens! Late last night, I put in the second monitor. I downloaded Ultramon just a few moments ago. Very nice!!!! Thanks for the heads up. Tom | |
