You buy a bigger desk and file away supplies so you can have more work space. When you have a limited area to work with, things pile up and pile on top of each other. You end up wasting valuable time getting to the items you need, even if you can find them.
The same can be said for your monitor space. Why squash and squeeze your much needed workspace? Treat it like your desktop and extend it using dual monitors. Not sure how having more than one monitor can work in your favor? These are just a few of the ways that using dual monitors can improve your productivity. 6 ways to set up dual monitors to be more productive. 6 ways to set up dual monitors to be more productive. Read more.
There is no doubt that the split screen view available to users is close to the same as dual monitors. You can simply open two apps side by side Manage Home Screen Tiles &Modern Apps Like a Pro Manage Home Screen Tiles &Modern Apps Like a Pro Some things take time to grow on you. The Windows 8 Start Screen is one of them. I bet you will appreciate it more after learning about these tips and tricks. Read more . If you use the apps in Windows 8 or 10, you can easily put them into a split screen view by simply dragging them to either side of the screen. In Windows 8, you can even dock your desktop to the side How to Use Windows 8 Productively Despite Its Modern Interface How to Use Windows 8 Productively Despite Its Modern Interface Windows 8 has been hating a lot, in part because people resists change. But change can bring improvements. Let us lift your veil of ignorance and demonstrate how to be more productive with the new... Read More In Windows 10, apps thankfully open in their own window and behave like desktop apps.
What's wrong with this approach? Well, nothing except the items you have open in split screen view are not full size. You may have solved the issue of minor clicks to maximize or minimize your apps, but you really haven't. expanded your workspace. You just shrunk two apps to fit and squeeze them into one space.
Now, if you don't have the option to use dual monitors for one reason or another, then definitely give the split screen option a try. But, if you can get that second monitor to work, you'll be much happier with full views of your apps instead of mini views.
First, think about piling up items when you have limited space. If you can only fit one printout on your small desk, and you have a report from your boss that you're comparing it to, how does it work? You can't fit them side by side, can you? Think of your monitor real estate the same way, and take split-screen views out of the picture.
You have your web browser open for investigation. Google Docs vs. Microsoft Word:The Deathmatch for Research Writing Google Docs Vs. Microsoft Word:The Death Match for research. Online solutions are becoming the norm. We decided to see how Microsoft Word compares to Google Docs. Which one will do the best investigative work? Read More So you read the article on the website and then click on your document to write some notes. Then you minimize the document or click in the browser window to retrieve it. Then the cycle starts again. Click, click, up, down, up, down, click, click.
What you are doing is undoing. Wouldn't it be easier to have that browser open on one monitor with your document open on the other? You'll get a clear view of each app and never have to take your eyes off the article or your fingers off the keyboard to capture your notes. No more click, click, click and waste no more time with up, down, up, down.
An interesting study conducted by the Software Usability Research Laboratory, Witchita State University, involved 60 participants. Here are their findings on this specific aspect of dual monitor use compared to single monitor use:
During your clicking, minimizing, and deleting the stack, have you ever accidentally closed an app? Being able to see both full-size apps at once means you're reducing this type of time-wasting error.
By magnifying your screen, you can also quickly drag items from one screen to another. Did you download all your brochure images to the wrong folder? With the wrong folder on one screen and the correct folder on the other, simply drag your items to move them.
When copying from one document and pasting it into another, have you ever made a mistake and didn't realize it right away? Try to highlight the text. 10 Essential Microsoft Word Routines You Should Know 10 Essential Microsoft Word Routines You Should Know The word "routine" is the very picture of boring. Except when it comes to a productivity app like Microsoft Word. Every second saved adds to the convenience of using it for our daily needs. Read More
These are the kinds of efficiencies and error reduction activities you can do with dual monitors. With a quick glance of your eyes, without moving your head, you can easily see the applications you're working with and catch bugs faster.
You might be thinking that two monitors work for some jobs or industries, but not for you, so why bother? Sure, programmers and developers How to learn to code without all the stress How to learn to code without all the stress You may have decided to pursue programming, either for a career or just as a hobby. Cool! But maybe you're starting to feel overwhelmed. No good. Here's help to make your journey easier. Read More Seeing the immediate results of their work this way certainly helps them be more productive. But I can tell you from experience that this can work for many more jobs and industries than just information technology.
From writers, business analysts, video editors, account managers, sales people, if you work on a computer and use more than one application per day, dual monitors will make you more productive 6 MORE ways to set up dual monitors To be more Productive 6 MORE ways to set up dual monitors to be more productive Read more. Just think of different apps on separate screens.
Respond to emails using one screen while keeping your photo-editing software on the other, exactly where you left off. Test Cross-Browser Ultimate Free Tools for Cross-Browser Testing Ultimate Free Tools for Cross-Browser Testing If you have your own website, be it a large business site or a small blog, the importance of cross-browser desktop testing is the same. Read More Drag and drop elements like text and images from one screen to your content management system on the other, reducing errors.
In a Microsoft post, John Swenson expresses his opinion on the use of dual monitors in relation to Windows 7:
For Windows 10 users , you can still take advantage of the fit and quadrant features 10 compelling reasons to upgrade to Windows 10 10 compelling reasons to upgrade to Windows 10 Windows 10 is coming July 29. Is it worth upgrading for free? If you're looking forward to Cortana, next-gen gaming, or better hybrid device support, yes, definitely! And... Read More You can also use the multi-desktop feature introduced in this version of Windows to display them on two separate screens. You can easily see what apps you have open and just click to open them wherever you want. Below is a good video explaining how to use these features for your dual monitor setup.
Some people disagree that using dual monitors can increase productivity. Some might even argue that it could lessen it. Honestly, this is certainly possible, but it most likely depends on what those screens are used for.
If you intend to use your second monitor for your favorite movie, a new video game, or the latest Jason Derulo music video, then chances are your eyes are there instead of concentrating on your work. The point of dual monitors is, again, to expand your workspace, not to invite a gaming area to distract you from your work.
Do you use dual monitors and can't imagine what you would do by going back to a single screen? Or, are you reluctant to set up that additional monitor? How to Use Two Monitors:3 Steps to a Multi-Monitor Setup How to Use Two Monitors:3 Steps to a Multi-Monitor Setup There are many things you need to keep in mind when you want to use two more monitors. Set up your dual monitor setup with these tips. Read More Since there are differing opinions on whether or not a dual monitor setup can make you more productive, we'd love for you to share your thoughts in the comments below.
