[DM-MUG] Multiple External Monitor Setup Question

[Matt Stanton]

You can also think of it this way:  Most 22" and larger widescreen 
monitors support 1920x1080 resolution.  Most 4:3 monitors support 
1280x1024.  The first number is how many pixels wide the screen can 
display and the second is the number high it can display.  This means 
that if you get a 22" or larger display (look for something that 
supports Full HD), you are still getting a monitor that can display more 
stuff top to bottom than a 4:3 monitor can.

There are exceptions to the rule... some 22" widescreen monitors only 
support 1680x1050 (still bigger top to bottom than a 4:3 monitor).  
Apple makes displays that exceed Full HD resolution (think the 30" 
widescreen cinema display).  More pixels doesn't necessarily mean that 
the monitor is larger top to bottom, just that it displays more 
precision in a smaller space.  Basically, my 23" widescreen samsung 
monitor is about as tall as my 19" 4:3 CRT, but since it supports a 
higher resolution, I can fit more stuff on the screen.  This means that 
the stuff is smaller, but much sharper.  If you have any trouble reading 
small letters, then it would always be better to have a bigger 
monitor... My desktop at home has my 42" plasma tv set up as the primary 
display and the 23" samsung off to the side monitoring chat/IM type 
windows.  They both are set to 1920x1080 resolution, but obviously the 
plasma tv makes everything Really Big[tm].

The trick to sanely using a widescreen monitor is to not maximize your 
windows.  On a widescreen monitor, they just seem far too wide.  It 
doesn't cause any distortion or anything, but you end up with a bunch of 
wasted space on the sides.  I have my web browser set up to be the full 
height of the screen, but only about 66% of the width.  It allows me to 
see my desktop icons arranged down the left and right sides of the 
screen... which is where I put all my icons that I use often.

Jon Thompson wrote:
> You will need the $99 dual link DVI to mini DisplayPort adapter to use 
> the Triple Head2Go box.
>
> I think you're missing the point of widescreen monitors. A 24" 16:10 
> monitor such as Apple's LED Cinema Display can almost fit two 8.5x11 
> documents on the screen (they are cut off at the bottom, but the width 
> is fully shown side by side.) Very handy for comparison or 
> transcription work. (although you should try FileMerge, which is part 
> of Apple's Development software, but so handy in other uses.) You many 
> not actually need more than one external screen.
>
> The use of the computer doesn't really play into purchases for my IT 
> department anymore. I know that gamers like to have things like fast 
> refresh rates and such, but for a document, any screen will suffice 
> (assuming that you aren't concerned about color precision.)
>
> With that said, if you do 
> get a 4:3, get one that rotates. That way you can put the monitor on its side and be able to put an entire document on the page.
>
>
> On Jun 12, 2009, at 6:59 PM, Alexander Rhoads wrote:
>
>> With the new MacBook Pro lineup, it's finally time to get a new 
>> laptop and I need some basic multiple monitor questions answered, please: 
>>
>>
>> 1.  Is getting something 
>> like the Matrox Dual- or Triple-Head2Go box the easiest way of setting up multiple external monitors on a MBP?
>>
>> and,
>>
>> 2.  How do I identify which monitors will be best for working with documents vs. video/movie watching? 
>>   
>>
>> Some LCD monitors I've seen are much shorter and wider than others.  That's what I don't want; I want the more "square" monitor because most of my work involves letter-sized documents in portrait mode.  Basically, I need to figure out what the differentiating specs are that separate the two different styles.
>>
>> My basic ignorance of displays is shown by these questions, I'll admit.  
>> --
>> Alexander Rhoads
>> alexander at rhoads.us <mailto:alexander at rhoads.us>
>>
>> /
>> /
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