Multi-monitor, also called Multi-display, Multi-head, and Dual-Monitor, is the use of multiple physical display devices, such as monitors, televisions, and projectors, in order to increase the area available for computer programs running on a single computer system. Microsoft describes this setup as “one of the best ways to improve your productivity”. Randy Pausch recommended multiple monitors for improving personal productivity in his Time Management lecture. Contemporary versions of Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and X Window System (used by GNU/Linux) all support multiple monitors. Dual monitor support once depended on specialized proprietary video drivers supplied with few video cards, along with a multi-display-supporting GUI system. Support for multiple monitor configurations was added as a standard feature in Microsoft Windows in Windows 98. It has been a standard feature in all versions of Apple’s Mac OS X (introduced in March 2001), and was a standard feature of the first color Macintosh II introduced in 1987. By adding up to two additional video cards, the Mac supported up to three monitors, although operating system support for multiple monitors wasn’t introduced in Windows until the mid 1990s. The all-in-one Mac SE/30 featured a small black & white screen, but could drive an external color monitor.

I multitask all day and I’m not using “multitask” in that buzz-term kind of way. Between e-mail, instant messages, and news updates, it seems like I need one computer for communications and another computer for work. I run several different applications simultaneously and constantly switch among them.
At times, I’m testing an application while taking notes in Microsoft Word. Other times, I’m instant messaging with a friend about a Web page or running Virtual PC to test a procedure in a book I’m editing. Often I’m doing all those things simultaneously. It seems like I waste half the day clicking the taskbar to switch between tasks.
Turns out I didn’t need another computer—I just needed another monitor. Windows XP supports using multiple monitors and has the multi-screen feature built in. Dual monitors lets you add a separate monitor to your laptop and view different programs on each display.
In this column, I’ll explain how to configure multiple monitors using the Dual screen feature in Windows XP. And I’ll help you set up an old laptop as a second monitor by using some cool third-party software that works with Windows XP.
Configure Multi-Monitor and Dualview
If you have a desktop computer and you want multi-screens, your best bet is to buy an external monitor and a second video adapter that supports multiple monitor displays. Here’s a list of Supported Display Adapters for Multiple Monitor Display and Dual Monitors. Alternatively, you can upgrade your current video adapter with an adapter that can connect directly to multiple monitors. You can find such video adapters for less than $200 at most electronics stores—just make sure that it’s compatible with your computer and has connectors that match the monitors you plan to use.
If you’re a laptop user like me, you don’t have the option of adding another video adapter, but your laptop might support using Dual Display with an external monitor and the laptop’s built-in display. If it does support Dualview, just do what I did: plug a monitor into the external VGA port of your laptop and turn on the Dualview feature of Windows XP. To turn on Dualview, follow these steps:
1.
Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.
2.
In the DisplayProperties dialog box, click the Settings tab.
3.
Click the Display list and select your external monitor. If you do not see multiple monitors listed, your computer hardware may not support Dualview. You can still use MaxiVista to configure a second computer as an additional display, however.
4.
Select the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor option. Click Apply or OK.
Now I can have different windows open on my laptop’s built-in display and the external monitor. I can move windows between the two displays and even stretch windows across both displays. For more information on how to move from one monitor to the other, see Expand Your Workspace with a Multiple Monitor Computer.

Zealous computer gamers and people using Day Trading Computers do it, but I had no idea how easy it is to have a multiple monitor computer in my home office. Not untilI bought an upgraded video card for my PC and noted it had output connections for dual monitors. Once I saw that, I could not resist dusting off an old CRT monitor and hooking it up.

Many Windows and Mac computers (and reportedly some Linux systems as well) can operate with Multiple Monitors. With my Windows XP operating system, it only took a few keystrokes and mouse movements to set things up. As soon as I saw how it improved my productivity, I was an instant convert too.

Why would it even suprise me anyway? I mean survey after survey shows that whether you measure your productivity in facts researched, alien spaceships vaporized, or articles written, having Multi-Screen desktop will give your output a considerable boost-20 percent to 30 percent, according to a survey by J.P. Research mentioned in the N.Y. Times.

Now having Triple Monitor Computer, while I am editing this blog on my main screen, the screen on the right displays multi-tab browsing, and the screen to the left displays my spread sheet on popular links! I can refer to either one without the need to close my main focus, and that’s great.

If you want to edit photos, a second screen will let you compare the copy you are working on with the original, or show tool palettes and thumbnails of other images, and you can blow up panoramic shots for some extreme close-up viewing. When I am shopping online, my Multi-Monitor Display lets me compare products apples to apples. When I work on tables, and spreadsheets, I can see all the columns at once. When I expect important messages, I keep my e-mail program open on one of the side monitors while I work on something else.

With a single monitor, I could jump between applications with a mouse click or a keyboard command (Alt-Tab, in Windows), but not nearly as fast-and small delays add up when you repeat them dozens or even hundreds of times on a daily basis. With my Multi-Monitor displays, I simply roll my mouse ball from one screen to the other, and that’s the life should be.

Speed is probaly one of the biggest reasons computer game players use Multi-Monitor Displays. “If you’re trying to take over the world, it’s rather helpful,” says Bill Blomgren, a computer consultant in Charlotte, N.C.

Video game enthusiasts and Day Traders alike use as many moniotrs as they can afford or fit onto their workspace. “Some of my hard-core gamer buddies rock three, even four, monitors for really immersive 3-D shooters,” says a writer and reporter for cable TV station in Los Angles, CA.

Many new games, especially those that offer a choice of camera views (including quake and Doom), are explicity designed for Multi-Screens, but the option seems most popular for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Users of that propgram may typically use a Multi-Monitor Display to include instrument panels, maps, panoramic views ahead, views to the side, and exterior views of their virtual aircraft.

Reasons I love my Multiple Monitor Computer:

• Multi Tasking needs flow, in order to be productive. As a smart business owner would say, “time is money.” That being said, it’s only wise to value time, and time spent over viewing process and production. Advantages to having a Dual Monitor display is twice that of a single monitor system. The first time I added an additional monitor to my pc, giving it Dual Screens displaying my favorite sites in their respected entirety, I learned quickly that separate screens give you individual workspace for multiple applications. That can be crucial to overall productivity time. Multi-Screens and/or Multi-Monitors literally multiplied my productivity.

• Viewing a multi-monitor set up is going to give you more workable resolution. Some programs/windows may have conflicting resolutions when trying to view multiple applications on a single monitor. With a Multi-Monitor Display arranging all my windows relieved me from the daunting task of toggling through applications by means of minimizing and maximizing each tab or window. Back in the day of single monitor computing, toggling through Multi-Screen Displays (without a Multiple Monitor capable computer), slowed my productivity down to a headache. Multiple monitors displaying multiple windows enabled my computer to handle all of my multiple tasks without bogging down the pc and my time.

• Sharing resolution in multiple monitors actually gave me a larger viewing area regardless of the smaller size displays, compared to the time I tried using my HDTV. When I maximized a window, my computer would freeze up for several seconds. Sometimes an entire application will freeze up and goes into that “Not responding” mode. Exploring Google Earth in Dual Screen mode while watching a movie in another, and viewing local Real Estate listings in another gave my day a whole new meaning. Only Multi-Monitor Displays could handle all my productive eyes needed to see.

• I even considered hooking up my 42’ LCD to pc. However good it looked on paper, the reality didn’t fair as well as I hoped. My Quad Display gave me even better resolution than my single Big Screen TV could dividing it’s resolution across a single display. Once you get a Multi-Screen Display on your desk, you will wonder how you ever did without it. Toggling through Multiple displays without my old single core processor computer sometimes slowed my productivity down until I upped to a Super PC. Ultimately, video is preferred on a large single monitor. Other times you may need more resolution than an HDTV can offer.

• Trading Computers used by stockbrokers generally have Multiple Displays to show multiple, always-moving quote charts simultaneously. Watching charts and researching the next move has made many people billions of dollars. Many people don’t know that they too can have a Trading Computer in their home or office.

• Imagine designing a house with only one window with which to see the outside world. Then add three more windows displaying a different direction. Go figure. Multiple Monitor Displays enabled my computer to handle all of my multiple windows without bogging down the pc and my time.

Bringing you BIG Multiple MONITORS

It’s about 4:00 at the local Panera Bread coffee shop and my laptop productivity is tarnished without my typical Multi-Monitor setup at home. At least if I had a Dual Screen desktop I could have Multi-Screens open to view my tasks independant of a tab browser which really gets to me. Especially when I click on a link and it changes my tab with a half written email to my lovely lady and when I page back, I have to start all over again. That really stinks!

I remember awhile back when me a couple friends created our first Dual Monitor system. Yeah little did we know that even with Dual Monitors our cpu might go crazy and sometimes it did. Fortunately it was all well worth having Multiple Monitors any day of the week. At least with a Multiple Monitor setup multi-tasking in Multi-Screen layout allowed for shorter time spent in front of the computer. Primarily because we could surf the net so much faster and more efficiently.

If you haven’t done so already, check out my friends at Multi-Monitors.com and check out some of their inventory. they have adapters that can give you Dual Screens instantly. They have great customer service as well, so if you have any questions just give them a call and tell them the MultipleMonitorGuru sent you. That will help us both get free stuff! Well maybe that’s just wishful thinking but you just never know.

I always say that two monitors are better than one
You can never have enough screen space, especially when organizing and working on your digital pictures. Instead of buying a larger monitor, if you’re using Windows XP or later, you can buy an inexpensive second monitor and connect it to your computer—instantly doubling your work space. Flat panel LCD monitors look great and will save room on your desk; CRT monitors also work well and can be less expensive but a bit bulky.
There are several different ways you can make use of this extra screen space when working at home or in your office. If you take a lot of digital pictures, some of the advantages to having dual monitors at your work space include:
· When browsing your picture library, you can view the thumbnails on one monitor, and use the second monitor to view pictures full screen to check for proper focus and image quality.
· When editing photos, you can use one monitor to browse the pictures with Windows Explorer or a photo library program, and use the second monitor to edit the pictures with your photo-editing software.
· If you need to stay on top of your e-mail while working, you can keep your inbox open on one monitor and work on your photos on the other.
What you’ll need: desktop computer
Many new desktop computers support dual monitors without requiring any additional hardware. To see if you have more than one monitor connection, look at the back of your computer for two Video Graphics Array (VGA) connectors or two Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connectors or one of each.
Most new desktop computers include two connectors to support dual monitors.
If you only have a single VGA or DVI connector, you will need to install a video adapter. You can either install a second video adapter or replace your current video adapter with one that has two VGA or DVI connections. Installing video adapters can be difficult if you’re not familiar with the inside of your computer, so you may want to seek assistance from a local computer retailer that offers computer upgrade services.
What you’ll need: laptop computer
If you have a laptop computer made in the last several years, you can almost certainly support an external monitor by connecting it to the VGA or DVI connector on the back of your computer. The external monitor can act as a second display to your laptop’s built-in display.
Configuring your displaysConnect your second monitor, and then restart your computer so that it detects the new monitor. Once you have restarted your computer, you’ll need to adjust your display settings by following these steps:
· Click the Start menu, and then click Control Panel.
· Click Appearance and Themes, and then click Display.
Once you connect your second monitor, you need to adjust your display settings.
· In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.
· Click the monitor icon labeled 2, and then select the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor checkbox.
Extend your Windows desktop to your second monitor.
Troubleshooting: If you do not see two monitor icons, your computer might not support multiple monitors. First, make sure that you have Windows XP installed. Then, visit Microsoft Update, click Custom Install, and install any available hardware updates. You may also need to visit your computer manufacturer’s Web site to install an updated display driver. If you still do not see two monitor icons, you may need to install an additional display adapter, as described earlier in this article.
· If necessary, drag the monitor icons so that they are arranged in the same way as the monitors on your desk. Click the Identify button to indicate which monitor is 1 and which monitor is 2.
Drag the monitor icons to match the physical arrangement of your dual monitors.
· Click Apply. Windows XP will activate your new monitor.
· Click OK.
A dual screen setup enables you to view the same image side by side.
Once your monitor is set up, you can use your mouse to grab the title bar of a window and drag it to your new display. If a window does not move when you drag it, double-click the title bar first, and then drag it. Having two monitors will forever change the way you work with your computer. Be creative and experiment with the sizing of application windows and what information you can keep in constant view while doing multiple tasks.

Also available are Multi-Monitor/Multi-Screen systems. A Multiple Monitor computer will give you multiple amount of productivity increase.

According to a NEC-Mitsubishi Press Release I found mega surfing, Multiple Monitor Computers are on the rise in oticable productivity increases. The following is an exert of what I read. There was a lot of mumbo jumbo however I put in the best information here along with handy and helpful links to comparable products I think you can get an idea from. For your convenience of course. 

CHICAGO – October 6, 2003 – Setting a new trend among computer users in the workforce, multi-monitor computing can contribute to increased productivity and enhanced employee satisfaction among corporate users. NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display of America, Inc., the number one stand-alone vendor of flat panel desktop displays, ATI Technologies the University of Utah, today released the results of the first ever systematic study of productivity increases across ordinary office tasks using multiple monitor configurations.

The study, entitled Productivity and Multi Screen Displays examines how multiple monitor configurations increase user productivity and usability. Traditionally used by professionals in the financial or graphics industry, multi-monitor display computing is becoming an affordable and effective solution to the increasingly demanding computing scenarios faced by employees in mainstream corporate America. Providing users with the ability to access more information and images simultaneously, multiple monitors allow for more efficient multi-tasking between applications.

“The study reveals multi-screen users get on task quicker, work faster and get more work done with fewer errors editing documents, spreadsheets, and graphic files in comparison with single screen users,” said Dr. James Anderson, professor at the University of Utah’s Department of Communication. “The technology required to support multi-monitor computing is not only affordable, it has become standard within operating systems and LCD displays. Multi monitor configurations are poised to become the new standard in the workplace.”

By enabling users to work between multiple applications and resolving the need to view and process a multitude of information sources simultaneously, multiple monitor configurations allow users to move and size a variety of information and images across any or all screens to increase productivity. Overall respondents in the study were 10 percent more productive using multiple monitor set ups.

Multi monitors can impact a company’s ROI, when considering the value of errorless work. The study results show that respondents increased their errorless production by 18 percent using multi-screen configurations.

Additionally, multi-monitor configurations can positively impact employee morale, making users feel more comfortable with their ability to complete tasks by allowing for quick navigation and higher task focus. Participants in the study considered multi-screen configurations significantly more useful than single screens and preferred multiple monitor setups on every measure of usability. They found them 29 percent more effective for tasks, 24 percent more comfortable to use in tasks and found it 39 percent easier to move around sources of information. 

So, with that being said, I think it’s a pretty good bet that if you got a dual monitor video card or a dual monitor adapter, not only would you enjoy the dual monitor wall paper without dual monitor software, but you will also gain more productivity than you ever imagined. Having a dual monitor setup once changed my life. Second only to the multi monitor setup I currently have. Although my multiple monitor computer can support a quad monitor display, I am looking forward to having six monitors possibly eight! 

Also Trading Computers have become so easy to get nowadays. This Trading Computer is ready to support Dual Computer Monitors. You can even upgrade this model to support up to twelve monitors!

Do Multiple Monitor Computers Really Increase Productivity?
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Considering the purchase of a multiple monitor computer system? I am often asked, “What’s the greatest benefit of a multi-monitor computer system?” Since investing in my 8 screen system a little over 2 years ago, I can say with avid assurance that my productivity has grown tremendously. With the invention of the LCD monitor (replacing those bulky and somewhat hazardous CRT monitors), I’m not the only one fond of having 8 monitors on my desktop. In this article, I’m going to demonstrate how using a multiple monitor computer system will improve your productivity.

If you’re like me, you always have half a dozen projects to work on. The ability to start and stop a project without maximizing and minimizing windows, or getting lost in your workspace, is essential. Only six months after I bought my first dual screen system, I was so impressed by the increase in my own productivity that I purchased multi-monitor computers for over half of my office. Within the last 18 months, the systems have paid for themselves many times over because my employees and I are able to accomplish more. I can honestly say this is due to our ability to multi-task, afforded by our multi-monitors. Our everyday tasks such as web editing, writing, marketing, and finances have become less burdensome.

We’re certainly not the first to take advantage of this technology. In 2002, as these types of multi-screen systems were making their way into the skyline offices, an informal study was conducted at Northrop Grumman. Each of their developers was given at least dual monitors. According to Darrell Norton at codebetter.com, some developers were given more, “The junior developers had dual 17″ monitors, two senior developers had a 21″ and a 17″ …two had a 21″ and 2 17″ monitors, and one had 3 17″ monitors.” After a twelve month trial, the following results were noted:

“Productivity in lines of code per day increased 10%

Defect levels decreased by 26%”

And based on the Likert scale (which uses a simple 1 to 5 rating system to measure qualitative benefits of multiple monitor systems), Mr. Norton was able to determine the following:

“On average, people would much rather have 2 smaller monitors than 1 larger monitor. Nobody answered that they preferred 1 monitor over 2 even a little bit.

Multiple monitors were most useful when the application had palettes or when 2 or 3 windows needed to be open, such as for programming/debugging.

The biggest complaint was desk space, since all of our monitors were CRTs (no LCDs).”

Each passing year these productivity numbers will increase. Why? Because as mentioned above, they were using old CRT monitors, meaning space was a limiting factor. Moreover, even programmers would have been hard pressed to find a CPU running faster than 1 GHz. That’s not much firing power for bulky applications. We’ve come a long way since then, and now it’d be difficult to find multiple monitors with less than quadruple the power of their machines. Even though the technology is growing exponentially, prices are actually staying about the same. If you factor in inflation over the past few years, they are slightly less.

Efficient multi-tasking remains possible because of technology’s ability to adapt to increased workloads. Understanding of these adaptations allows my business to enjoy both decreased waste and a higher volume of output. I might still be searching for a way to increase my company’s productivity, but I was fortunate enough to recognize the potential for better organization through increased multi-tasking functionality. This is possible because of multiple monitor computers.