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EXTERNAL:2 smaller monitors vs. 1 larger

ptc-141274
1-Newbie

EXTERNAL:2 smaller monitors vs. 1 larger

I am running two 20" monitors and I love it. It would be hard to go
back.

I can have two separate sessions of Pro-E open on different screens for
troubleshooting etc.

I can have a model on one screen, with its drawing on the other screen.

I can have a model on one screen, and a spreadsheet or spec sheet open
on the other screen in full size (helps as eyes get more experienced)
for checking various bits of information.

Leave your email open in one window...the sky is the limit.



I'm not sure why your PC wouldn't handle the 26" & 20" at the same. We
have people here running a 20" and a 19".

That 26" will sure be nice!



Some people here have commented that one big monitor would be better
than two smaller ones. But for that to be true (in my opinion and many
others) you need a sizable jump in size. I would say mid 30" to 40" at
least. I would rather have my two 20", than your single 26". I haven't
played with big monitors enough to know where my preference would
change. Also, two smaller ones are usually cheaper than one large one.



One advantage of two over one, is the ability of the application windows
to sense the monitor it is in and then always open in that monitor. You
can also maximize a window in one monitor.

W7 does offer some new window manipulations that are nice. Drag a window
and flip it to the side will maximize and divide two windows to fill the
screen. Don't have W7 at work so I am trying to remember.



Set up the dual setup, and if it works, try it out.



Doug







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8 REPLIES 8

The only problem with I had with a dual setup was the difference in color,
hue, and brightness between two different monitors.

The most consistent monitors I found have been Dell when using a 24" with a
19" on the side for example.



I finally went with a 30" Dell FP solo and would never go back to a dual set
up.



Anthony R. Benitez

Senior Mechanical Designer

Drafting Supervisor

Applied Research Laboratories

The University of Texas at Austin

Good point on the difference in color etc. I do have that now, but I
deal with it.



It seems I guessed pretty good on the monitor size for a single. Is it
safe to say that 30" would be your lower limit on a single monitor
setup, as compared to having duals?



Would you prefer a larger monitor if you could? At what point do you
think it would be too much real-estate?



Doug Pogatetz
Mechanical Design Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation






Drag a window in W7 near the edge of the screen and it snaps to that edge.
You can do this with keyboard shortcuts as well.

Windows Button + Left or Right. (Makes the window stick to the edge and
resize it to half your screen)
Windows Button + Up (Maximize)
Windows Button + Down (Minimize)
Windows Button + Shift + Left or Right ( Moves the selected window from
one monitor to the next)

W7 is the best OS Microsoft has ever made.

I prefer two screens over one, but would take one large one vs. two 19"
monitors. I have Dual 22" monitors and I love it.


Damián Castillo
CAD & Administration Manager
Engineering Department
Hensley Industries

If you are going to run Dual Monitors, I would always recommend the same
exact monitor for both. I had issues as you described in the past with
different model monitors from the same manufacturer. I now run Dual 22"
Dell's that are identical and the colors are exactly the same between
them.

A single 30" will also be nice, but there are some things I do with Dual
monitors that is simply faster.


Damián Castillo
CAD & Administration Manager
Engineering Department
Hensley Industries

Regarding color, etc.

If you are running an Nvidia graphics card you may use the Nvidia
Control Panel to "Run display optimisation wizard" and at least make the
monitors match, even if the colors do not end up accurate overall.

Having said that, I realize that I don't what this looks like on Win 7
(the attached picture is from XP). One would think that it would be
similar.

Another message mentioned shortcuts for manipulating the windows; I've
had good results with a utility called Ultramon (

WHEN are the monitor manufacturers going to start making monitors with NO LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE bezels!!! 😉

Thanks...

Paul Korenkiewicz
FEV, Inc.
4554 Glenmeade
Auburn Hills, MI., 48326

That would be nice! I actually did hear something about Cornings Gorilla glass. It is very strong and is used on some smart phones already. Ideas for future TVs, had them doing away with the bezels altogether as the glass is so strong.



This way you wouldn't have to specify right or left bezel deleted... J



Doug


What a great idea. They could at least make the monitor with a removable
bezel, so that they only need one model to sell. 🙂

Paul, Let's design them, patent then try to sell the idea to the monitor
industry.


Damián Castillo
CAD & Administration Manager
Engineering Department
Hensley Industries
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