Dual Monitor

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by azianai

Just wondering, what exactly is the procedure to have dual monitors that you can be running separate applications on. I've done it where it mirrors my existing desktop, but I never had the chance to try to set up 2 separate display consoles. Our accountant at work is looking to get a dual monitor setup, so i get the lucky task of setting it up for her. Basically just looking to get a whole new computer for her, but we're keeping her 17inch LCD and just getting another one for her. My main question would be the resolution as well, i know when i connected my notebook to my TV, it automatically limited the resolution on my display to that of the TV (1280X1024)

Personally, and just my opinion for your intended application I would consider doing things this way. Unless you can duplicate the current 17" display as a second monitor I would consider using a pair of new 19" monitors and running both at their native resolution. You are talking about an accountant here and not an avid gammer. Think about what the user will be looking at. Typically spread sheets of accounting data and forms. The use of dual monitors allows viewing more information and the ability to move the information with ease from screen to screen.

I don't do accounting, however, I do some light programming and graphics work at home. Currently running dual monitors on my workstation. Both are about 3 year old Samsung 915N 19" monitors. Resolution (native) is 1280 X 1024. The merit is while running Visual Studio (actually Visual Basic.NET) I can view my main form in design mode with the Solution Explorer & Properties on the right of the first monitor. Additionally in my second monitor I am viewing my Server Explorer database connections and my forms toolbox. I can easily go to my toolbox and add controls to my forms. To dock all of these things together on a single monitor would be a pain in the ass. I want to add a button, calendar, date time picker? I simply drag and drop onto my form accross the monitors.

Think about the business environment your accountant is working in. Think about the accounting forms and spreadsheets that they are working to and with. The idea is to afford them some ease in their work. I would check with her and see what she feels would work best for her.

Another nice feature is using Firefox and MSIE. I frequently look for online tutorials and code samples. Frequently using copy & paste to move code to edit later. This is easily done with the setup I have. I can see where an accountant may want to do similar in copy & paste with data between two open forms. This works well with an open form looking the same on each monitor. Again, look at things from the perspective of the end user.

Just My Take
Ron

[Lead Head]

I always throw all my IM's and other misc stuff on my second monitor when I'm gaming, and it works fine. UNLESS, it is a very old game that sets the colors to 256, then things get screwed up.

[screwballl]

some games run on dual monitors also.... like SupCom

[polobunny]

And PowerDVD displays on multiple monitors too if I'm not mistaken.

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by screwballl

some games run on dual monitors also.... like SupCom

Flight Simulator X supports multiple monitors.

[theburan]

World in conflict is great for dual monitors, but only for dx10, and only for multiplayer... but for that, it's awesome.