By now, nearly everyone that I know is using a multiple monitor set up, but one of the big questions I still get asked frequently is about the various options that you have for array stands.  There are so many cool options that most people are not aware of when they go to purchase an array stand.  Of course, some of the options can end up being a little bit more expensive, but depending on what you are using your multiple monitor computer set up for, you should at least take some of the various options into account before making a decision.  And this is one of those decisions that should be made based on need, not cost (within reason.)  Choosing the correct array stand can really help with your productivity and usage overall.

So what types of multiple monitor stands are there?  Well the two main types of stands are the horizontal stand and the vertical stand.  In addition you have the quad and hex stands that are a combo of both types.  Let’s start with the horizontal stand since it is the most popular.  Horizontal array stands line up monitors side by side, usually 3-4 in a row.  This tends to be a favorite array stand and configuration because it is very natural feeling.  Sometimes the shape will vary to make the monitor form almost a horseshoe shape.  This is helpful because it really creates a nice workflow from one monitor to the next.

The next type of configuration is the vertical array stand.  This looks like two monitors stacked on top of each other.  Primary users of this configuration tend to be day traders and FOREX investors.  They are good for additional monitoring space of charts and graphs; however, the average user tends to find this configuration a little more difficult to get use to.  I will say, however, that as far a space saving array of stands, this is probably one of the best.

In addition to the horizontal and vertical arrays you also have quad, hex and octo configurations for 6 and 8 monitor computers.  Typically used only by guys that run serious amounts of data these configurations take up a lot of space and use a ton of energy.  However, if you’re running many programs at once this array of stands is very convenient.

Hopefully this helps sum up the various array of stand for you.  There are lots of choices and you should take a number of things into consideration before actually making your purchase.  Price may be a small factor, but the bigger question is what is you going to use these for and how much space do you have.

Triple Monitor Desktop

For the modern office worker of nearly any field, using a multiple monitor computer has become a necessity.  In fact, most offices have gone from using a dual monitor computer to using a triple monitor computer.  The result has been an increase in productivity among office workers across the board, with profits soaring and people better able to perform unique functions at their jobs.  It’s been a great move in most industry.  This trend seems to have stemmed from the day trading stock industry, as well as the FOREX market, where multiple screens are needed to process large amounts of information very quickly.  However, the trend didn’t stop there.  Even the average secretary has found a way to use a triple monitor desktop to improve her work function.  It’s going to be a plus for any company.

So what other types of companies are using multiple monitor technology?  Well, there are quite a few, such as engineers, scientists, analysts and consultants.  They all have found that by using multiple monitor computers, especially triple monitor desktops, that they are able to better serve the needs of their clients.  I even saw a dentist that was using a triple monitor desktop to show his clients their problem areas on a digital x-ray, and then compare that to another x-ray that didn’t have the same problems.

So what are the best features of a triple monitor desktop?  Well the ability to leave open pertinent programs so that there is less switching back and forth is definitely a huge perk.  Most people don’t realize just how much time is actually wasted doing this on a daily basis.  There’s no need to switch back forth between programs now.  You can have everything that you need open.   This means that less time is wasted, which is a huge perk.

The other day, I was visiting a college in a neighboring community and I was astonished to see that they had set up a triple monitor desktop to help with their teaching.  I was pleased when I got a minute as I was able to go in and talk to the professor that had set it up.  He said that he had been using multiple monitor technology for quite some time now and explained to me that it had many advantages to using a single monitor computer.  For example, he is able to use one monitor to show a pie chart, and a 3D graph on the other, all while using the third to run his power point presentation.  He seemed very satisfied with himself.  He was overall very happy and pleased.

A few days later I was traveling to a known day trader’s place for a business lunch.  Again, I noticed that he had a similar triple monitor setup in his office.  It was quite astonishing how he said he was able to gain profits simply because he was more productive and had less waste, since he started using the triple monitors.  I asked him where he purchased the computer from and he said that he purchased it from a company called mult-monitors.com.  He said that he was very impressed with the overall service and quality that he had received from multi-monitors.com and that he would definitely purchase form them again.  I found this all very fascinating.  He seemed like a good guy.

So, after hearing the testimonies from these guys, I convinced the IT guys that it was time to do some upgrades to our systems.  We were able to get 7 triple screen computers for our office.  That was over 6 months ago.  Now we are seeing some fantastic results.  The overall first impressions from everyone that looks at the budget is that the purchase of the triple monitor desktop was a good purchase, and that in the long run it will benefit the company.  We are now, also, believers and multiple monitor technology and I guarantee that if you try it, you will be too!

So who exactly is using multiple monitor technology and why?  Bill Gates, creator of Windows, recently gave an interview with Fortune magazine in which talked about how multiple monitor technology had really transformed his office.  But no only it increases productivity at the Gates camp, it also dramatically increased profits.  For Bill Gates this could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions.

For your business, there is very little that is different.  If you are trying to grow a business, but you or your employees aren’t yet using multiple monitor technology, then you are probably missing out on what could be one of the easiest ways to increase your productivity and overall increase your profits.  It’s not hard to do if you focus and work hard.

A few years ago, I was reading up on multiple monitor technology and was impressed by some of the figures that I read.  In fact there were reports that said that companies that used multiple monitor computers or let their employees use them could save big bucks every year.  I thought that not only is this interesting, this could be a real life saver for my company.  So I started doing more research.  As it turns out, companies that use multiple monitor technology tend to save 2-3 percent every year in labor because productivity increases and waste is reduced.    Now that may not sound like a huge number, but when you’re talking about even a mid-sized company, that can equate to a lot more than you might think.  In fact, for my company it would mean somewhere around $10,000 extra each year.  WOW.  There’s that vacation that my wife has been talking about.

So, like I said, I started looking into what it would take to get my company setup with some multi-monitor technology.  It won’t take a lot I know, but I wanted to feel out my different options and hopefully find the best deal.  So I started the normal route that any businessman would I suppose.  I checked with some of the big local retailers, like Best Buy and Office Depot.  While they do have computers, neither of the places really offered what I was looking for, so I decided to stay away.  Next, I decided to look into some local custom shops that build computers to your specific demands.  And while these guys did say they could build a multiple monitor computer for me, I didn’t feel like they really understood the technology.   It just seemed like they were going to stuff some run of the mill parts into their standard computer that they sold.  I didn’t feel comfortable with these guys.  They just seemed like they were out to make a buck and didn’t really understand what they were doing.  It was strange and somewhat weird.  I don’t understand how they are in business to be honest.

After that debacle, I decided to take a slightly different approach.  I started calling around town to some local business owners that I know.  I wanted to see if any of them were employing multiple monitor technology into their businesses.  It took a few frustrating hours on the phone, but eventually I did find a total of two businesses that were using multiple monitor technology.  I asked them if they would mind if I came by one day and saw who they were using the technology and ask a few questions.  They agreed.

The following week, I decided to stop by the first business owner’s shop and see how he was using the multiple monitor technology to improve his business.  His name was Ted, and he’s a day trader and employs five people.  He said that since the started using multiple monitors, his productivity hate shot up a little over three percent.  WOW!  And went on to say how it had made his work easier and how his employees loved have dual or triple screens so that they could get more done during the day.  They all seemed like very happy work bees.  I then asked some basic questions, like how hard were they to setup, where did he get his computers from etc.  Apparently, the process of setting them up was pretty actually.  He said that he got really go instructions and it only took about 15 minutes to get everything going.  “OK,” I thought.  This sounds like something that I can use.  As far as where he ended up buying his multi-monitor computers, he said that he had done the same thing as me.  He had shopped around town and even talked to some small computer shops, but like me he couldn’t find what he wanted.  So eventually, he said that he bought them from a website called multi-monitors.com.  I told him thanks.

Next I went to the second business owner’s place of work and repeated the format that I talked about with the first business owner.  He too was employing multi-monitor technology.  He too said that he had shopped around town, but like the first business owner, he said that he end up buying online.  He again said that he bought from a company called multi-monitors.com.   “Interesting,” I thought.  Another interesting thing that this business owner told me was that he was able to increase his profits rather dramatically because he was able to reduce waste in his work place.  This made a huge difference and he was really thrilled.  He too ordered from multi-monitors.com which I thought was pretty interesting.

In the end, I decided that the best move to make would be to order from multi-monitors.com as well.  I was actually very pleased with the overall service that I received.  Setting up my multiple monitor computer system was easy, and thanks to multi monitor technology we are now seeing increased productivity and profits.  I’m very pleased that we decided to use multiple monitors in my office.

A little bit about me:  I run a small consultant business.  I’ve been a day trader since the late 1980’s and a lot of things have happened since then.  I went from relying on telephones and cable news for more information, to using an advanced system with a multiple monitor computer system that helps me generate all the information I need to make successful trades online.  It’s actually not hard once you learn how to do it.  My firm works with dozens of other successful stock traders and we supply them, not with the actual pick that they should make, but rather with the data that they need to make a decision.  We do this for a few reasons, but primarily because it limits our liability.  We also offer a few courses though out the year that helps people learn how to read this information.  The idea is that anyone that wants to be a successful trader should be able to do so.  That’s why we do things this way.

So, now that you know a little bit about my back ground, I want to talk with you a little bit about the technology we use and why we use it.  A few years ago I read a multiple monitor case study that talked about how people are using multiple monitors to help increase their productivity.  It’s a pretty cool idea.  You can actually have all of your information flowing through a series of screens that allow you to make faster decisions on the fly without having to search for applications and windows.  It’s really quite remarkable.  The multiple monitor case study looked great, but I wanted to read more about it, so I started searching online.  Oh boy, there is a wealth of articles that talk about how using multiple monitors helps with productivity in just about every business there.  It’s pretty cool.  I started thinking, man I could really use this for my business- it would help me disseminate information to my clients much quicker which will hopefully increase all of our profits.

So low and behold I found a guy locally that uses the same type of setup to help him more quickly make decisions in his Forex trading business.  You see he does money/currency exchange online, so he’s able to make a fortune doing this because of his multiple monitor computer system.  I asked this guy if he would mind if I came buy one afternoon to see how his setup works and he was kind enough to oblige.  I’ve got to tell you, I was really impressed with the way his setup worked.  He has multiple screens, each with a different chart or graph and then a separate screen where the actual trading takes place.  It was quite a site.  Quite a site indeed!  I asked why he decided to setup multiple monitors and he told me that it was because he wanted to increase his profits and his productivity.

I actually asked him if he had read the multi monitor case study and he said he had.  Initially that was what got him to consider using multiple monitor computers.  I thought that this sounded almost like fate.  I mean, here this guy is in a very similar business to mine and he used the same multiple monitor case study and decided to use a setup that’s very similar to what I was considering.  In the end I decided that it was more than just fate and that if I wanted to really grow my business that I should do the exact same thing and setup a multiple monitor computer system just like his.  This would benefit both me and the clients that I service.

So, that’s when I made up my mind and decided that’s exactly what I was going to do.  Between the multi monitor case study and seeing the multiple monitor displays in action, it looked like it was time to start shopping for some multiple monitor computer systems.  Now in the beginning I wasn’t sure what to buy.  I mean, sure, the multi monitor case study talks about using 4 monitor computers and 6 monitor computers, but it did not exactly paint a really clear picture on what type of hardware to buy and it definitely didn’t tell me how to set it all up.  So for that I decided to rely on the experts.  I went with a company call multi-monitors.com.  They’ve been around for almost a decade now and they really know there stuff.

At first I just started talking with a guy named Dave via email.  But eventually I picked up the phone and started speaking with a guy by the name of Ryan.  With their help I was able to determine exactly what I needed to buy within a very short period of time.  I mean, if you ask me, it almost sounded like Dave and Ryan could have written the multiple monitor case study.   They really knew their stuff.  This was absolutely perfect for a guy like me.  I mean remember, when I first started doing stock trading I used telephones and TV screens.  Now I was presented with an opportunity to really improve my marketing plan for the first time in a really long time.  I was going to be able to increase my productivity and in the end increase my profits.  This is something that I really wanted to do.  I was excited at the prospect of being able to increase my productivity and profits, for obvious reasons of course.

So to make a long story a little bit shorter, after I consulted with Dave and Ryan at multi-monitors.com I cross checked what they said with the multi-monitor case study and found that most of what they said was spot on, according to the authors of the case study.  I bought the computer and my profits, productivity and client base have been growing ever since.  If you’re considering a multiple monitor computer, I highly recommend it.  It will increase your ability to profit and you will be happy that you did.

Whilst there are quite a few health benefits that will utilizing a multi-screen array for work, I’m basically going to report a few things to consider if you are considering selecting a two display screen array. Number one is your capability to increase multi-tasking.  Utilizing multi-lcd arrays is popular for specialists that need to keep a constant eye on their monitor regarding tweets for example carry adjustments, currency fluctuations, overall visitors movement or even email, all whilst working on additional tasks. Using a dual-screen array can make this feasible. Even while I must say that using 3 or even more computer monitors is definitely likely to increase your current productiveness, getting at least 2 will certainly assist. And yes, it is true- you can link up up to 12 monitors (with the right computer components, even more.)

Configuration is one of the crucial points to consider anytime establishing  a variety of multi-monitor desktops, particularly if you are a day trader. Using the correct amount of RAM, the right processor, the right video cards are all likely to end up vital. However don’t forget the monitors you’re going to use. I highly recommend ensuring you get a minimum of twenty two inches and and has a minimum of 1080p resolution (the best resolution at the time of writing this article.) There are several types of monitors out there, nonetheless the most popular is the LED monitor of due to the hi-res, lower energy practice plus light-weight.

Should you have staff, you could benefit by giving them multiple monitor computer systems as well. Your company maybe losing big bucks because they are only using one monitor at a time. Consider this, if perhaps each and every member of your workforce wastes six minutes (nationalized standard) bouncing between the two between applications and you need 10 employees- you will be sacrificing sixty minutes on a daily basis.   A total of 40 hours per week, basically like paying for an employee you don’t have.

So, what industry experts use multiple monitor computer systems? Well the answer is definitely all types. Accountants, freelance writers, makers, training video writers plus much more all of possess began to switch to a number of keep an eye on personal pc product. And that’s just simply the tip of the ice berg.  Most people pay attention to day traders using stock trading computer systems the most, because they’re frequently featured in entrepreneurial periodicals.
In conclusion, should you be contemplating a multiple monitors, you will find there are a lot of reasons to upgrade to a new (and better system.) Spend the extra cash and get a high quality machine. You will find lots with superb personal computers out there; nonetheless merely one is exactly what you were interested in.

If you are having trouble selecting which company to go with, I’d suggest you check out: multi-monitors.com. The reason is that they have been around the longest, have the best customer service, the fastest production and the most amazing support among all of the multiple monitor computer companies on the web. I personally have worked with Dave and Ryan at Multi-monitors.com and they helped me build my dream computer and if you need some assistance they can help you as well. In fact, they can probably put together your dream computer faster and with better specs than any other company on the web. They are fantastic and a dream to work with, I highly recommend that you look them up and give them a shot today, rather than going with any other company.

If you spend considerable time on the actual computer like lots of people do, most likely you want to have more space. Many people believe more space means more efficiency. And if you’re able to maximize your own productivity when you’re on the actual computer, you can earn more money and spend less time sitting at the desk. This really is something which everyone really wants to do, regardless of what work they’re doing on the pc. Many people believe that a dual monitor configuration is much better? So exactly why is it easier to have 2 monitors?

People like using a dual monitor configuration for a lot of reasons. The key reason is simply because they can organize better and do more at one time.  An individual can have 2 full size internet windows open simultaneously. If you do research or even compile information inside a spreadsheet, it’s best if you have a complete sized web window open up while you’ve got a document open. This will maximize productivity because you won’t have in order to bounce backwards and forwards between windows as if you would should you did not have access to multiple displays.

Increasing efficiency is the key reason that people use a dual monitor configuration. To make certain that you obtain the most from your monitors, a few factors to consider are that you’ve a minimum of 2 monitors. The reason that you ought to get the 2 monitors for the dual monitor configuration is because it provides you with more area.

Now you know why people like a dual monitor configuration, you should look at getting an additional computer screen of your own. If you are able to afford this, try to find least 1 LCD display one because it won’t take up just as much space and also the screen would have been a lot high quality. Computer stores are prepared to help a person finance pc screens and most pc monitors are $ 200 or less. If you still aren’t sure if your dual monitor configuration is befitting you, you can talk with multi monitor computer experts at multi-monitors.com. For many people who don’t think they require a dual monitor settings, they need to see it to believe it.  The benefits with astonish you and your work and productivity will increase.

 
You’ve already been an investor for some time right now, but your present high end trading pc doesn’t permit you sufficient versatility to complete the items you must do. Or even perhaps you have just lately become a trader; however, you would like all of the resources essential to be successful. In either case you may need a higher overall performance trading PC. However the larger query is actually what aspects to consider as well as how you can understand you’re obtaining precisely the thing you need. I wish to emphasize a few of the tips you ought to be taking a look at when you attend choose a higher overall performance buying and selling computer.

After I take into account the requirements of an average investor, I notice that the actual computers most use is a lot more than simply a good workplace computer. It’s there lifeline. In the event that their pc stops working, their livelihood is at risk. In addition I look at style associated with high end trading computer.  Next I’m heading to speak about the primary functions which are essential when buying a multi-monitor pc.

Along with what I’ve stated, here are some my personal favorite components which I recommend to anybody creating a high end trading computer. Very first let’s think about the processor chip. There are a few choices to choose from, such as AMD, Intel, and others. However, I personally like Intel above AMD. They have a few processors that you ought to think about for the trading computer. The i5 and also the i7 each have dual core processors which boast 6.4 GHz as well as 6. 6 GHz, respectably. Because this component is the brain of the pc, it’s important that you pull out all of the stops when buying this part.  If you are buying a four monitor computer or less, then the i5 should be fine, however, if you are going to have 5 or more monitors, I’d strongly recommend that you shell out the additional cash for the i7.  It will be worth in the end when you have your new 5 or 6 monitor computer set up and you are able to breeze through any work you may be doing with ease.

Memory (also known as RAM) is another important point. I suggest durable as well as inexpensive memory, for example Corsair. Apart from a reputable manufacturer, you must pick between at least four as well as 8 GBs of RAM. Once again, in the event that you’re likely to operate a lot more than four screens in your high trading computer, after I’d go with at least 8 GBs.  And despite the fact that you can upgrade this feature later, you’ll likely save money up front if you buy more now.  Quite frankly, it’s silly not too.

The most essential aspect to think about when putting together your multiple monitor computer may be the video card.  My personal favorite may be the 1GB GDDR3 ATI FirePro 2450 simply because it’s workstation licensed.  Whatever you choose, make sure that it’s not a cheap card, as these cards must be able to handle your work load.

If you want to enjoy gaming and I mean really enjoy gaming, then using your 720p plasma just isn’t going to cut it these days.  Most gamers are switching to a much advanced system.  Most gamers have a gaming computer with multiple monitors so that they are better able to play games.  We’re talking 5 screens and sometimes more, 1020p with surround sound and CPUs and GPUs so fast that they’ll make your head spin.  We’re talking about the latest and greatest in technology that is going to make even the pickiest of gamers go, “whoa!”

So how do I know about gaming computers with multiple monitors?  Well a good friend of mine, a guy we’ll call Stedman, is extremely into gaming.  You know the type.  He’s always looking for the latest and the greatest.  When I first met him, I would say that he was the typical gamer with an Xbox360 and a Playstation 2.  He had both of these hooked up to his 42 inch 720p plasma screen that he bought back in 2006.  Now, to be completely honest, this is perfectly fine for a casual gamer with no real gamer intuition, but as Stedman progressively got more and more into gaming he decided that he was in need of a much better system.  He needed a gaming computer with multiple monitors.  He wanted monitors that were 1080p and mounted on a horizontal stand, with a c-shape rotation, so that he could create a more active environment in which to play games.

Now there are multiple ways to go about creating a gaming computer with multiple monitors.  In fact, you can build one yourself if you have the knowledge.  But before you do that, I’d highly recommend studying which motherboards, cases and cards go with what, because otherwise, you could find yourself in a position where you have a bunch of components that don’t really work all that well together.  Stedman actually went through this when he tried to build his multiple monitor computer system, and I’m going to tell you about it.  He attempted to go out and by the best GPU and processor that he could find.  The problem was that he didn’t account for cooling problems and end up with a machine that overheated non-stop.  Instead of haggling with the computer he decided to what intelligent individuals do.  He sold off the pieces of his first attempt at a gaming computer with multiple monitors, and then bought a computer from an expert company that knows what they are doing.

This turned out to a really smart move for Stedman.  The system he bought was absolutely perfect and 100 percent what he wanted.  He now games online with the best of them and doesn’t have to worry about his system crashing.  He has 4 monitors setup in a c-shaped horizontal rack that creates an absolutely amazing gaming environment and he loves his system.  I believe that he purchased his computer from multi-monitors.com.

When you run a business, your goal is to make a profit by offering a good or service in exchange for currency, right?  Well there are other ways to make a profit as well.  There’s an old cliché that goes, “a penny saved is a penny earned. “   This is especially true in business, where one of your main focuses should be on not just on making money, but also figuring out how to save the company money.  Some of the most brilliant CEOs and CFOs in history were able to take good businesses and turn them into great businesses by doing just that, saving the company a small fortune in waste.  If told you that by using an 8 monitor computer, you could save your company a small fortune, would you be read to jump in and stop using your old single monitor computer?  I’d like to hope so.

So what makes an 8 monitor computer so great, you ask?   And even more important, how will using an 8 monitor computer save your company money?  Well it’s a very simple concept actually.  Everyone knows that time wasted at work costs the company money.  In fact, there have been a number of drives in recent years to explain to workers how stealing company time is just as bad as stealing company products.  Well, your employees may be stealing your time and you don’t even know it.  Employees working with only single monitors are extremely inefficient, but not because they choose to be, but because of the way the system is designed.  When you run multiple applications throughout the day you naturally waste time switching back and forth between programs, when you could be working on something solid all day long.  Think of it this way, if you had multiple documents laid out on a table in front of you, and you’re trying to find a different document every few minutes, how much time would waste searching for the appropriate one?  It’s tough to swallow for some people because we get use to using the same system and have a tough time adapting to a new one.

One business that I helped set up an 8 monitor computer had a funny anecdote about this topic.  The owner of this business said that one day he was sitting and watching his employees work and noticed how frequently they seemed to be moving their mouse around, without actually clicking.  They were constantly looking for the right window to the right program so that they could perform their job they way they were supposed to perform it.   He could not help but think about how much time was actually being wasted.  Just doing a little math in his head, he decided that each employee wasted 15 seconds out of every minute.  So essentially he was paying them for 25 percent more work than was actually being done.  Now that is a crazy amount of work waste!  So how did he sold the problem?  Simple, he was able to install an 8 monitor computer system for each of his employees that reduced work waste.  Once he did, he noticed that the problem seemed to dissipate rapidly.  Productivity was up and employees were happier.

Another company that we worked with noticed something similar.  The personnel manager though, “there has to be a more efficient way to do things around here.  He installed special software to track the employee’s mouse movements to see how much work was being done versus a lot of mouse movement, but no real productivity.  He was surprised to find that around 12 percent of their mouse movements have no real bearing on work or productivity, but rather they were searching for the correct program to use.  Astonished by what he discovered he started looking for ways to help with this and stumbled upon an article that talked about how having a multiple monitor computer could improve overall productivity at work, while reducing waste.  He decided it was worth a shot and bought several dual monitor computer systems for some of the better employees.  Again he used a mouse tracking software that was able to tell him how much time was actually being wasted.  Astonished again by the results, he discovered that the wastefulness had been cut from 12 percent to about 4 percent, a improvement of around 60 percent total.  Astonished by the results, he proceeded to upgrade more computers in the office.  He upgraded some to 3 monitor computer systems and other to four monitor computers.  However, in his office he actually decided to use an 8 monitor computer so that he’d be better able to track what was going on with the rest of his employees.

One final story and this one is about a man named Frank that runs a Forex community online.  Part of his job was being able to provide good information at a rapid pace to his subscribers.  He prides himself on being one of the best in the business.  His forum is not cheap to join because he helps make millionaires, by providing good information in really time.  His subscribers gladly pay money to be part of his community because it’s well known that he’s one of the best in the business.  Frank, however, had a problem.  He was using a dual monitor computer system to try and track multiple graphs, charts and more and then relay that information to his subscribers.  It wasn’t working very well.  By the time he was able to translate the data and get it over to his subscribers, a lot of the time it meant missing out on key trades.  Frank needed a better system.  He decided to try using a 4 monitor computer system (he felt like an 8 monitor computer system would be too much) and was very pleased with results.  He can now keep graphs and charts that are pertinent open in a separate monitor and as key trades come he’s able to very quickly relay this information to his customers.

Hopefully the above stories will give you a better idea of how using a multiple monitor computer can help save your company time and money.  An 8 monitor computer is a great addition to your office.  It provides an excellent addition to your already powerful tools that will allow you to be more productive and spend less time trying to figure out what you want to do and more time doing it.  You will be able to better apply your skills to your business, without worrying about which window you should have open!

Just a few weeks ago, while on a business to trip for a conference in Las Vegas, I was sitting in my hotel room at the Caesars Palace trying to juggle using multiple applications on my 15 inch laptop screen.  It was almost unbearable.  I honest didn’t realize just how dependent I’ve become on my dual monitor setup that I have at home.

No, let me preface the rest of this article by telling you that if you’ve never used a dual monitor setup, then you really are missing out on not only a higher level of productivity, but even more importantly you are missing out on a more pleasurable computer experience in general.

So how do I leverage having multiple monitors to my advantage?  Well really it is quite simple.  How would you like to have one monitor with email app and the other with your browser at all times?  Do you need to link to a web page in an upcoming email?  No problem, just drag the link across one monitor and on to the other.  Simple! Need to pull numbers from a web page and plug them into excel- just do the same thing- drag across one monitor and on to the next.  And if you don’t believe me you can read dozens of stories on this site and others that talk about why people have been upgrading for years to a dual monitor setup (and sometimes significantly more monitors!)

It’s time to just do it.  If you are considering upgrading today, you’re actually lucking, as most modern computers have video adapters built into the motherboard or a separate card with multiple ports for multiple monitors.  So hooking up a second computer monitor may be as simple as plugging the additional monitor into the back of the PC, connecting the cable and turning the monitor on and setting it up in your windows control panel.

Don’t have dual ports or using a laptop?  No fear, there are dual monitor setup solutions available for you too.  You can contact the guys over at multi-monitors.com to find out which video card you’re going to need to upgrade or if there is an adapter available (such as the DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go for laptops.)  And if you still can’t get exactly what you want, then you actually have the option of buying a new custom multiple monitor computers from these guys.  OK, let’s be honest here.  Your computer is either really old or a piece of junk that you bought from Best Buy anyways.  Is it not time you upgraded to a professional dual monitor setup PC that was built by guys that want you to have the best system, not just a PC mass manufactured for the masses?

Now that we’ve settled that let’s talk about how you can setup your new dual monitor setup without taking up your entire desk.  Have you considered a neat, new dual monitor stand?  You can mount multiple monitors to a stand which will help with both arrangement and space/organizing problem that you might have.  And the cool thing about using a multiple monitor stand is that you can actually mount multiple screens that are different sizes and they can weigh up to 25 pounds.  That is awesome, right?  You bet it is.  Assembly of the stand may take around an hour and the instructions on how to do so have been equated to similar to IKEA instructions.  Just have your Allan wrench ready and be prepared to organize a whole lot of screws, clicks and other widgets that may look like something George Jetson sold for Stanley Sprockets!  Actually, the toughest part for most people was removing the original bases from the monitors that you decide to use.  Fortunately there are quite a few videos showing you how to do this on YouTube (I will let you do the search yourself. Trust me; there are a bunch of videos.)  The only thing that I suggest during this process is finding a partner (HONEY, CAN YOU COME HERE?) to help you out while you do this.  The cool thing is once you have the monitors mounted, you can actually stuff the cables and cords inside the metal tubing, making everything look really slick.  Now I’ll be honest, a good stand will probably set you back anywhere from $170 to $200, but you will be glad you made the investment when it’s done.

Once you have the monitors physically setup, then the next task is getting Windows to recognize them.  Now, depending on which version of Windows you are using this can vary from difficult to easy.  Windows 7 and Windows Vista tend to be very simple.  In fact, beginning with Windows 7, it is actually designed for multiple monitors.  However, Windows prior to vista is a bit more challenging to navigate.  Fortunately there is a program called UltraMon to the rescue.  This truly is the ultimate monitor tool.  It will set you back an extra $40, but it works great for a variety of reasons.  And it’s better than any other utility out there.  Take my word for it.  It Rocks!  It also helps move (quickly) applications from one monitor to another and then recognizes and corrects the display size differences.  You can actually have separate task bars on each monitor and assign various hotkeys for each monitor as well.  Trust me when I say this program is worth every penny!

And I am not alone in loving this awesome application.  I introduced my friends to this program and every single one uses it too.  Also worth noting that there is a trial version available, so you can try before you buy.

So, if I was going to sum this up in 35 words or less, I would say, go upgrade to a multiple monitor, make sure you get a really awesome stand and try Ultramon, you’ll love it.

A friend of mine named Tony and I were talking a few months ago and he asked me a question that at the time I thought was silly, but now I’m extremely thankful that he asked.  He said, “You’re a day trader, right.”  To which I replied, “Of course, but you knew that already.”  He then said, “Why on earth are you still using a Hewlett Packard PC that you bought from Wal-Mart that only has one monitor attached?”  Now, I’ll be completely honest with you, I had never even considered the value of the type of computer I use, and especially had never considered the value of using a computer with multiple monitors.

Now just so there is no confusion, let me say that I’ve been a windows user for nearly 20 years, starting with Windows 3.1 back in 1992(and a DOS user prior to that!)  I’ve watched the way software has changed and I’ve adjusted accordingly.  I’ve been multi-tasking with various applications this entire time, and using multiple monitors had just never crossed my mind.  So when Tony asked me this question it completely through me for a loop.  It also got me thinking about ways that I could potentially improve my business.  You see, I do both Forex trading and futures stock exchange.  My entire business is centered on timing and numbers.  For a Forex or stock trader a few minutes could potentially cost thousands of dollars.  In fact, having a slow computer that occasionally freezes up has cost me in the past.

When I asked Tony what he suggested to try and help improve my computers performance he nearly doubled over laughing.  Just so I am absolutely clear, Tony isn’t some kind of obnoxious jerk or anything, he’s just a bit of a computer snob.   After he finished laughing we started discussing what my options for a computer with multiple monitors really were.  His suggestion was two-fold. I could design a computer from scratch, order the parts online and build it myself or use a company called multi-monitors.com.  Since I’m far from a computer genius, especially when it comes to hardware, we started discussing the advantages of each option.  According to Tony, building the computer myself would be a little bit cheaper, and I would get some manufacturer warranty on the parts, but overall the savings would probably only be a few hundred dollars.  If I order from the company he suggested, they offer warranties on their builds which means I’m covered in the event of a meltdown.

Now I have to be honest with you here, I am a do-it-yourself kind of guy most of the time.  I like to save money when I can and I also like to learn how to do new things.  But Tony mentioned that assembling a new computer without any previous experience can sometimes be troubling.  It is not always as simple as throwing together a few components and plugging in a few wires, especially when you are building a computer with multiple monitors.  You have to really think about configurations because using the wrong type of RAM with wrong motherboard or the wrong type of power supply or cooling system could make the entire system not work and in some cases could actually be dangerous and fire hazard.  This really made sense to me, so I decided to go with a custom computer from multi-monitors.com.

I called them up the next day and was rather pleased with the customer service that I got.  They weren’t pushy and I really felt like I was getting the best computer system for my needs, which is exactly what I wanted.  After talking with these guys and then consulting with Tony I decided to get a 4 monitor computer that is upgradable to 8 monitors in the future.  I decided on 4 monitors because this allows 3 windows for work related applications and trading software, as well as 1 for email, reddit.com, Facebook and more.

After receiving my computer with multiple monitors I was able to set it up in roughly 20-30 minutes with very few problems.  Now this might not sound like a big deal to you, but for someone who doesn’t know jack about computer hardware, I thought this was pretty good.  I’m thankful for the clear instructions that I received that allowed me to do this.  Had I not had clear instructions I don’t think this would have been possible.

Now on the really important part- how has this computer benefited me?  Well I have to say, it took about a day to get use to having my applications open on different screens at any given time.  But once the adjustment period was over, I was able to really focus on my work and watch statistics as needed.  This has been great.  I’ve actually noticed not only a gain in profits from being able to trade faster, but less frustration because of my lagging computer.  This means less of a headache for me.  It may sound strange, but the ability to glance at a screen rather than minimizing and maximizing different screens at different times has made a huge difference too.  I actually think I’m saving hours a day because of this, which is just absolutely fantastic.  If you’ve never had the ability to do this, I have to tell you that you must try it.

So overall, I just wanted to take a minute to publically say thanks to my buddy Tony for the advice on getting a new computer.  It is actually turned into quite a profitable investment.  I’m also very pleased with the service and help I got from the guys over at multi-monitors.com.  They were extremely helpful when I was picking out my computer and I’m absolutely certain that they have been around for a while now because of their dedication to their customers.  What a fantastic experience.  I would recommend them to my own mother if she was looking for a computer with multiple monitors.