How to increase your productivity – get 2 monitors

2 desktop monitors

If you want to achieve more whilst sitting at your computer then one of the best ways is to get 2 monitors. You’ll be amazed at how much quicker you get things done and once you’ve tried it, you’ll wonder how you managed to survive for so long with only one monitor. 

Here are a few examples of how having 2 screens can help:

  • Write an email or a Word document on one screen whilst referring to information from a website on the other screen.
  • Easily compare 2 products when shopping online.
  • Extend an Excel spreadsheet across 2 screens to minimise scrolling across when you have lots of columns.
  • Read a help guide or watch an instructional video for a software application on one screen whilst using the application on the other screen.
  • Have Facebook open on one screen whilst doing proper work on another!

As you can see the list is endless.

How to setup 2 screeens

Laptops

If you have a laptop then it is likely to have either a VGA port or a HDMI port which you can use to attach another monitor. You will probably want to raise the laptop so the 2 screens are in line with each other giving a more natural viewing experience. The last thing you want to do is constantly be looking up and down between 2 screens. However, this will require you to have a separate keyboard and mouse. Another alternative is to buy 2 monitors and connect the laptop to these and not use the laptop screen.

Desktops

Most desktop PCs have more than one graphics port and if it doesn’t then it is easy enough to add another graphics card so you can use 2 monitors.

Windows settings

As soon as you plug in another monitor Windows will most likely detect it and duplicate it. This will result in both screens showing the exact same thing. You will want to change the Windows settings so the display is extended across both screens.

Open the Windows Control Panel and go to Display.

control panel2

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on Adjust resolution

control panel display

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Multiple displays select Extend these displays.

control panel display extend screens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 What size monitor to go for

For most people a 22″ to 24″ widescreen monitor will suit their needs perfectly. If you have a big budget or are really into your games then you might want to go for a 27″ monitor. However, we wouldn’t recommend going for much less than 22″ because you probably won’t find it that comfortable to use which will defeat the purpose of having two monitors!

A note on screen resolution

Technology is constantly pushing the boundaries of screen resolutions. 4K monitors (resolution of around 3840 x 2160)  are the latest and whilst there’s no denying their beauty and crisp images for most people doing regular office work there aren’t really any benefits and we’d recommend you stick with a monitor with a native resolution of 1920 x 1080.

Where to buy

Retail shops such as PC World and online shops such as Novatech, eBuyer and Amazon all have a wide range of monitors for sale. At the time of writing in October 2015, Novatech have got a Samsung 22″ monitor for just under £80 or a 24″ monitor for just over £110.

Conclusion

We hope we’ve convinced you on the benefits of having a second monitor for your day to day working. If you live in the Maidenhead area and need help or advice on setting up a second monitor then please get in contact.

 

 

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