One monitor or two?

[petert]

...(like everyone else), I'm pondering new computer system configurations. One of the options under consideration a single or dual monitor machine. I've only used single monitor systems, so let me ask if there's really an advantage to a dual monitor system on a digital photographer's machine? Along a similar line (and ignoring the price difference), would you rather have one 30-inch monitor or two 20-inch monitors?

...the other big question is what does Photoshop think of the dual heads? - does it know what to do with it?

Thanks for your comments...

Peter

[Daniel Bates]

There is a BIG advantage to two monitors. And I would definitely get two 20"s over one 30", if your video card is capable of supporting dual monitors. Photoshop likes 'em fine (in fact, it has no clue there are two... it acts like one big monitor).

You can put all your palettes on one window and the image on the other... or keep PS in its own window on one and watch TPF on the other.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

I went dual about 5 years ago (anyone say Matrox Millennium) and can not imagine life with a single monitor. Go the dual route, you will come to appreciate the freedom it gives you with almost any project you undertake.

And yes, Photoshop knows what to do with a dual system.

_/oe

[CaptainTom]

Dual for sure......

Make sure your system will support the dual monitors. Systems can be really fussy about them.

[WLPelzmann]

Definitely 2 x 20" monitors with Photoshop. How did I ever work on a single monitor!

[billbunton]

Definitely go dual! I've got dual monitors on both the Mac and Windows workstations here. In fact, using a single monitor system is so hard to do now that I took a spare monitor in to work so I could have dual monitors there.

As to dual 20s over a single 30, that's a slightly harder decision for me. I think I might find dual widescreens a bit too long and not tall enough. I've got a 30" and a 21" together on the Mac, and it's at least bordering on too wide.

[petert]

Thanks for the comments... I think I'll try dual head system!!

[tjavery]

Ok, great advice. Now, can someone please explain HOW to connect two monitors to a computer? I have an old Dell desktop, so I'm assuming I'll need a new video card of some sort? (and of course a 2nd monitor )

BTW- I'm on a kindergarden level when it comes to computer hardware - just letting responders know the audience here

[AndrewCCM]

WITHOUT A DOUBT Dual monitors. I can't imagine editing on one ever again. I use a 24" and 19" LCD. Something to consider (unless your video card supports it), you can only use one color profile. For me, I have my 24 calibrated and the 19 as close as I can get it...This is on a PC system btw.

Go for it. I'd definitely choose 2 smaller(ish) than 1 larger anyday.

[zeroendless]

I'll be lost without 2 monitors. The 2nd thing i told my boss before took the job was "i need 2 monitors". If you work on sw that supports 2 monitors (split group panels), then you will hate single monitor after get used to it.

Ok, great advice. Now, can someone please explain HOW to connect two monitors to a computer? I have an old Dell desktop, so I'm assuming I'll need a new video card of some sort? (and of course a 2nd monitor )

That's correct. check the back panel of your Dell see if there's 2 video output, otherwise you need new video card. You can split the single video out into 2 and cheat one into clone monitor... but not recommanded.... :)

Tj, that's corrected.

[tjavery]

Originally Posted by zeroendless

That's correct. check the back panel of your Dell see if there's 2 video output, otherwise you need new video card. You can split the single video out into 2 and cheat one into clone monitor... but not recommanded.... :)

Thanks, Daniel. I know my PC has only one video output, so I'd have to buy a card.

Next question - do I have to get a card with two video outs, or do I get a card wtih one video out and then also use my PC's only video out (the one that exists now)?

[AndrewCCM]

I would highly suggest getting a dual head video card. Currently, I use a NVIDIA 6200..They are marketed by several vendors with different software bundles...Mine is a PNY.

BTW: Unless you are a gamer or 3D animator, don't get caught up in those super highend cards. A good $79 dualhead will work great. Just be sure it supports the native resolutions that the monitors require. Most do.

[zeroendless]

Next question - do I have to get a card with two video outs, or do I get a card wtih one video out and then also use my PC's only video out (the one that exists now)?

You need new card with dual video out to fully utiliaze the dual monitor functions. FYI,It's ok to get dual DVI and use the DVI>vga convetor that come with the card for your monitors (if your monitor doesn't have DVI in)

Assuming the existing video out on ya mobo is built-in, you can go to bios and disable it after putting a new video card. That save more resource on ya mobo.

[zeroendless]

Honestly, it's funny you asked that question. I never tried it that way. I wonder if built-in video out will disabled by default if external video card is used. :)

Either way, you'll need new video card with dual out for dual monitors feature. I never used cloning mode with dual mon only span.

[Steelsun]

Depends on the vid card & mo-board - some allow the dual use, some don't.

I used to have dueals on my home system, but not at the present. I'll be redoing duals soon.

At work I just got upgraded to dual LCDs and love it, even though I don't do alot of graphics at work. Almost our whole company is duals, with some being triples (and some of those are the wide scrren huge LCDs). They's found it increases productivity by a significant amount (at least 10%), and reduces stress.