How many monitors is too many? - Web Design Forum Graphic Design Site Templates Flash CSS Discussions

aprillove20 · #1 06-18-2010, 07:28 PM

My main computer has 3 monitors - 2x 19" and 1x 17". Now I find myself thinking that "hey, a fourth would be nice." Anyone using multiple monitors that's found a point where another really doesn't help that much?

Typically I'm setup with Outlook & iTunes on one, a code editor in the middle, and a web browser testing stuff on the right. Or if I'm working on photos it's Bridge on the left, PS in the middle (which is also the only calibrated monitor), and the PS toolbars on the right.

The thought came from the fact that the 17" is also used as a secondary monitor for my MacBook and the primary monitor for my fileserver - it's on a KVM switch. And when I use it for one of those two computers it seems limiting to "only" have 2 on my main computer.

mywebportal · #2 06-21-2010, 06:07 AM

It's really great. I never used more than 1 monitor in my PC. But I will try it. It will make my work more easy.

john111 · #3 06-22-2010, 05:30 AM

Hello
Microsoft Research suggests that adding another monitor to your computer is good as multiple screens make computing tasks easier and can enhance users’ productivity by as much as 9 percent.

You may have seen workstations having one or two external screens but nothing like Mitch Haile’s work environment – he works on 9 desktop screens simultaneously and of these 9 screens, 6 are attached to just one Mac computer.

Jerin · #4 07-13-2010, 07:07 AM

4 monitors? Sounds cool and 'too many' depends on your need and how you plan to use it.

Imogenmorgan · #5 08-02-2010, 06:55 AM

You can check printing quality on 3 - 4 monitors.

cliffdodger · #6 08-17-2010, 11:35 PM

I agree with Jerin. That said 2 is the most I would put on a home computer that's for surfing the web. For work, I use dual but could really use a 3rd monitor. I'm sure having 3 I'd occasionally find need for a fourth but I could certainly live without it. 3 is plenty.

Howardhobbs · #7 08-31-2010, 06:40 AM

having more monitors can be cool for workstations ...
but i also wonder if changing from 1 monitor to 2 or more once you are used to one, will it just get complicated

(like, having all your applications set for fitting 1 screen, game resolution .... things like that will all have to be changed, no ?! i guess that adding monitors would be better when installing a fresh copy of windows (after a reformat, which most gamers do almost once a year, or even more

jeff1988007 · #8 09-01-2010, 07:57 AM

I have one 1920x1200 monitor, and prefer that over two monitors. I use xmonad as a window manager, and that basically means I can control what is displayed where and when with a keystroke or two.

mike11 · #9 09-02-2010, 09:56 AM

Great dude Can you give some tips how to do that!!!!

Mark Joshi2 · #10 10-13-2010, 11:37 AM

have been using more than one monitor on my computer for years. Once I read that Windows could indeed handle more than one video card, the light bulbs went off. I can have more than one screen? I shortly went out and purchased a second screen.

When I switched to the Mac Pro back in October, the system came with a single video card with two video outs. But, I had more than two monitors. I had visions, yet again, of being surrounded in monitors. You know, like I’m working at NASA or something.