Dual screen, or one high-res screen?

[Parm]

Thinking of getting a new monitor.

At the moment, I'm using a 22" Samsung SM-2232BW Pebble:



It gives me a 1680x1050 resolution, and I'm happy with the image quality. Unfortunately, I still find the resolution to be limited and with the amount of stuff I have open on a regular basis I'd like more desktop room.

I'd originally wanted to get a high-res 27" or 30" screen, but they're very expensive. Especially the super-high-res 30" models.

So, instead, I'm contemplating saving money by just adding another 22" and going for a dual-screen setup.

I've used dual screens before, and though I like it, I get the feeling one big screen would be better.

What do you guys think? Do you prefer one big screen, or a dual-screen setup?

[tiggerai]

Dual, everytime.

Got them at home, got them at work. I think I like that I can have 2 seperate areas of real estate to play with.

[staffsMike]

I've got a 20" and a 19" dual screen setup (or 20 + 13.3" with my laptop) and I can't really live without it now.

Although maybe with a higher res I could fit everything on one screen, I don't like to tbh.

I would say, if you are trying to run one program like Photoshop with multiple windows inside then one big screen is great, but for multiple programs or instances of programs I prefer a dual screen setup, A simple example of that is right now I'm just surfing the net and watching a movie, one on each screen

The dell 2709 can be had for around £430 at the moment though, fantastic price given it's quality and array of inputs.

[sleepyhead]

I've ran dual CRTs before, a 15" and 17" monitor.

It was useful...yet not...depending on what I wanted to do at the time.

For example I'd have one application open and it would have been great if the two screens were one, ie video editing software.

Other times the two separate monitors were very handy for when working full screen with one program and then having a few chat windows in the other monitor.

Right now, I'd much rather have one big monitor ie 27-30", I don't feel I need two separate screens. I tried it with my current 19" LCD and my old 17" CRT and I didn't use the other monitor at all, spent most of it's life off.

However, I did enjoy the ability of running a chat/voice proggy on one monitorwhile full screen FPS'ing on the main monitor.

Not very useful information, sorry.

[nichomach]

You've got to look at what you're really going to be using the system for. I use dual 20" 4:3 screens at work and it's an absolute godsend, because I usually have several things going on at once. If I were just running one app that needed more space, I'd have to say that a single massive screen'd be better.

[dangel]

If you're gaming, then one massive res screen is going to hurt your video card more.. Just a thought.

[Betty_Swallocks]

I couldn't live without dual screens now. I can have work on one screen and a browser open on the other for research.

[Parm]

Good point nichomach, does help if I'd state what I use the screens for!

I never play games on the PC, so gaming isn't important - though, that might change with Diablo III.

What I do have, is loads of applications open at once. On a daily basis, I'll have open two web browser windows, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, an FTP client, Outlook, Notepad, a few Messenger windows and possibly one or two other apps.

At the moment, they all just reside in the taskbar and I'm having to switch between them. I think it'd be far more productive to have more of them on screen at once.

I use Vista Home Premium, and the last time I dabbled with dual-screens I remember that the taskbar wouldn't stretch across the two screens - is that still the case?

[dangel]

Good point nichomach, does help if I'd state what I use the screens for!

I never play games on the PC, so gaming isn't important - though, that might change with Diablo III.

What I do have, is loads of applications open at once. On a daily basis, I'll have open two web browser windows, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, an FTP client, Outlook, Notepad, a few Messenger windows and possibly one or two other apps.

At the moment, they all just reside in the taskbar and I'm having to switch between them. I think it'd be far more productive to have more of them on screen at once.

I use Vista Home Premium, and the last time I dabbled with dual-screens I remember that the taskbar wouldn't stretch across the two screens - is that still the case?

Unbelievably - yes. Which sucks.

Choices then are:

http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/ which costs dosh (but does look nice in Vista)

or http://www.mediachance.com/free/multimon.htm which is both free (for the old version which doesn't theme but works 'ok') and paid for (for the newer, shiny one which is still cheaper than the overpriced multimon).

[tiggerai]

What I do have, is loads of applications open at once. On a daily basis, I'll have open two web browser windows, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, an FTP client, Outlook, Notepad, a few Messenger windows and possibly one or two other apps.

Exactly my justification for dual 20" at work. Makes Web Dev so much easier when you can change and check without having to tab...

[Guy]

Ive got duals both at home and work.

Admitidly the works ones are crappy, dual 15's.

But at home 2x 20' Samsungs Combined with Ultramon is frankly the best combo.

[Fraz]

Smug mode: 24" + 19" monitors at work, 30" + 20" monitors at home. Yes, I have a mighty e-peen

[Guy]

Next on the wish list is dual 24's!

[SiM]

Gaming/film watching => get the high res
Multi tasking => get multiple screens

[NovaSphere]

lol

Single 15" monitor here! xD


Though when I'm getting my new PC (this week I hope >_>) I'll get a new 20" monitor (Samsung 2043BW to be exact)
Comparing my 15" now with the 20", it's huge... Can't imagine dual screen or a 30" screen, I'm gona need like 2 extra eyes for that x_X

You all spoiled! xD

[mnstar]

I would prefer a single 26" monitor