[vcf-midatlantic] OT: One modern PC, two screens

[Bill Loguidice]

I use dual screens at work (and in a previous job used a three screen
setup) and replaced a previous dual screen setup at home with an ultra
widescreen monitor (21:9). However you do it, there's nothing distracting
about extra screen real estate.

With these types of setups I personally take advantage of Windows' standard
window snap features, which work the same as on a regular single screen,
just with however many more screens or real estate available. You typically
still only work in one main program at a time for obvious reasons, but
don't have to do as much switching windows (if at all) when referencing
things since they're already visible. Since you're planning on dual
monitors (preferably both 16:9), you can comfortably fit four portrait mode
programs (if you want to get really fancy, you can take one of the four
panels and have programs on the top and bottom as well).

As I type this, I have Chrome open on one half of the left monitor with
Word open on the other half. On the right monitor I have a PDF reference
file I'm using for the Word document, and next to that is a To Do List from
Evernote.

I also echo the sentiments of others regarding resolution. I'd say 4K is
unnecessary and expensive (and it's unlikely your PC would be able to drive
it satisfactorily even with a good video card), but you'd want two
1920x1080 screens at minimum. Of course, the nice thing with a dual (or
tri) monitor setup is that you can mix and match screens and resolutions
without issue, although I personally like to match the two (or three)
monitors as closely as possible, since significant color/contrast
differences between panels can be a bit distracting/annoying.

========================================================
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director; Armchair Arcade, Inc.
<http://www.armchairarcade.com>
========================================================
Authored Books
<http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Loguidice/e/B001U7W3YS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_1> and
Film <http://www.armchairarcade.com/film>; About me and other ways to get
in touch <http://about.me/billloguidice>
========================================================

On Thu, May 19, 2016 at 9:40 AM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <
vcf-midatlantic at lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:

> Starting to think I need a second computer monitor. My PC is 5 years old
> and only has the one VGA port (no DVI/HDMI), so do I need to get a video
> card? For those who've done it -- do you find it distracting to have your
> display spread across two screens? A priority is to spend as little as
> possible.
>