Harold Mansfield
09-10-2014, 10:24 AM
We had a discussion on anther thread about tablets vs laptops and started getting into productivity set ups. I got a PM asking about configuration and function of 3 monitors on the same computer so here it is.
A basic configuration is actually ridiculously simple, but you can get more complex.
In my experience 2 monitors work best on at least 8G RAM minimum. And 3 on at least 16G but that's just my preference based on what I use for work. I did run 2 on a 4G RAM XP computer years ago. It was functional but there was some lag at at times, especially when playing video.
For a basic set up you just need as many free USB ports as you want monitors (although I wouldn't go past 3-4 without some upgrades to your computer or buy one that is built for it), and get a couple of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Universal-Multi-Display-Adapter-K33974AM/dp/B00BSREURI/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1410357053&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=kensingtom+monitor+adapters%2C+usb
I actually have these:
http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Universal-Multi-Display-Adapter-Black/dp/B002F9NSMQ/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1410380203&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=kensingtom+monitor+adapters%2C+hdmi
You want to use open USB ports. Not a USB hub.
Kensington isn't the only maker of these, yes it comes in USB 3.0 versions, and both Windows 8 and OS X support multiple monitors without needing any additional software.
After that you just need the monitors and a mutil monitor stand which vary in price from $79 to a couple hundred:
Amazon.com: multi monitor stand: Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=multi%20monitor%20stand&sprefix=multi+m%2Celectronics)
Which stand is more complex than any of it. The free standing ones cost more and are probably best for most desks. I have an older one that is adjustable and braces on the back of the desk. Those are very heavy and if you don't have a very strong place to attach them, or additional support on them they will break off or warp your desk.
My stand holds 3 22" monitors, but it's a better configuration for me with 3 20" monitors since I like the outside 2 pulled in a little.
If your work area is big enough, you don't even need the stand you can just place your monitors normally. They don't make my stand anymore and they are much cheaper now. Choose carefully, not all of them have adjustable arms.
You don't have to have identical monitors if all you want is the function, but if you're doing any kind of graphic, design or video work having the same monitor with the same settings will make your life much easier. You can generally run whatever sized monitors you want. If you want to run 3 55" HDTV's (that have VGA ports) as monitors, go for it.
Yes it all works as one desktop environment.
Yes you can drag and drop from one screen to another.
Yes (depending on your computer's speed and internet access) you can run multiple programs at a time and put them on different screens. So yes you can have a video playing on the right, while running a Go To Meeting session in the middle, while updating your website on the left. Same keyboard, mouse as well as any other peripherals.
You can buy computers already configured with a graphics/video card that already have 2 VGA ports, or you can install a video card that supports 2 monitors. Not sure if there are cards with 3 VGA ports, but there are definitely setups available already configured with 4 and 6 monitors that run a few grand.
You can also go HDMI. A lot of gaming computers have at least one HDMI port, and most laptops have one. You can buy them with more as well as aftermarket cards.
The cool thing about using the HDMI port (besides the picture) is that you can use HDTV's as your monitors and add your TV cable to one. If your service requires a special box for HD signal you may want to consider that. But adding a Roku stick or any other kind of entertainment device like a game console to it is kind of cool. You can get 19"-32" Vizio HDTV's for almost the same price as a monitor these days, and they work well. I found a special last week for $149 for a 32" HDTV 1080p. It wasn't a smart TV, but for an extra $49 I can throw a Roku on it...problem solved.
And that's pretty much it. Pretty simple to do. Just make sure you have a decent amount of RAM and processor.
A basic configuration is actually ridiculously simple, but you can get more complex.
In my experience 2 monitors work best on at least 8G RAM minimum. And 3 on at least 16G but that's just my preference based on what I use for work. I did run 2 on a 4G RAM XP computer years ago. It was functional but there was some lag at at times, especially when playing video.
For a basic set up you just need as many free USB ports as you want monitors (although I wouldn't go past 3-4 without some upgrades to your computer or buy one that is built for it), and get a couple of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Universal-Multi-Display-Adapter-K33974AM/dp/B00BSREURI/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1410357053&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=kensingtom+monitor+adapters%2C+usb
I actually have these:
http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Universal-Multi-Display-Adapter-Black/dp/B002F9NSMQ/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1410380203&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=kensingtom+monitor+adapters%2C+hdmi
You want to use open USB ports. Not a USB hub.
Kensington isn't the only maker of these, yes it comes in USB 3.0 versions, and both Windows 8 and OS X support multiple monitors without needing any additional software.
After that you just need the monitors and a mutil monitor stand which vary in price from $79 to a couple hundred:
Amazon.com: multi monitor stand: Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=multi%20monitor%20stand&sprefix=multi+m%2Celectronics)
Which stand is more complex than any of it. The free standing ones cost more and are probably best for most desks. I have an older one that is adjustable and braces on the back of the desk. Those are very heavy and if you don't have a very strong place to attach them, or additional support on them they will break off or warp your desk.
My stand holds 3 22" monitors, but it's a better configuration for me with 3 20" monitors since I like the outside 2 pulled in a little.
If your work area is big enough, you don't even need the stand you can just place your monitors normally. They don't make my stand anymore and they are much cheaper now. Choose carefully, not all of them have adjustable arms.
You don't have to have identical monitors if all you want is the function, but if you're doing any kind of graphic, design or video work having the same monitor with the same settings will make your life much easier. You can generally run whatever sized monitors you want. If you want to run 3 55" HDTV's (that have VGA ports) as monitors, go for it.
Yes it all works as one desktop environment.
Yes you can drag and drop from one screen to another.
Yes (depending on your computer's speed and internet access) you can run multiple programs at a time and put them on different screens. So yes you can have a video playing on the right, while running a Go To Meeting session in the middle, while updating your website on the left. Same keyboard, mouse as well as any other peripherals.
You can buy computers already configured with a graphics/video card that already have 2 VGA ports, or you can install a video card that supports 2 monitors. Not sure if there are cards with 3 VGA ports, but there are definitely setups available already configured with 4 and 6 monitors that run a few grand.
You can also go HDMI. A lot of gaming computers have at least one HDMI port, and most laptops have one. You can buy them with more as well as aftermarket cards.
The cool thing about using the HDMI port (besides the picture) is that you can use HDTV's as your monitors and add your TV cable to one. If your service requires a special box for HD signal you may want to consider that. But adding a Roku stick or any other kind of entertainment device like a game console to it is kind of cool. You can get 19"-32" Vizio HDTV's for almost the same price as a monitor these days, and they work well. I found a special last week for $149 for a 32" HDTV 1080p. It wasn't a smart TV, but for an extra $49 I can throw a Roku on it...problem solved.
And that's pretty much it. Pretty simple to do. Just make sure you have a decent amount of RAM and processor.