One monitor or two, what is better?
When you see people with two monitors, you may assume that they are doing a specific job that requires all the screen space, or that they are just very tech-savvy.
But the extra display space that a second screen provides can be beneficial for anyone, even if you spend all day doing accounting or documents.
We have become accustomed to being constrained by the size of our screens. This can cause us to struggle when trying to place two windows side by side or constantly clicking between different window levels on the desktop.
Most of us have had the experience of having to click through a number of applications to find the window we actually need. This is one of those things that take up time during the day that can be avoided by using two screens.
According to a study by software developer Mavenlink, 73% of companies surveyed said they spend an average of more than an hour a day switching between different applications.
So how much can using a second screen increase productivity? Probably more than you think.
Jon Peddie Research studied the benefits of using two screens connected to a desktop computer or laptop for several years. It found that the productivity of workers in all occupations can be increased by an average of 42%.
Three studies conducted over a 15-year period also show that dual-screen use increased significantly between 2002 and 2017, with an average annual growth rate of 10%.
As the company's namesake puts it, "The more you can see, the more you can do."
The biggest advantage of having a second monitor is that you can get more done in less time because you do not have to struggle to reach the windows you need when you need them.
With an extra monitor, you can keep programs like email open on one screen at all times while you work on other programs on the second screen. You can work more smoothly and have access to all the applications when you need them.
Laptops are great when it comes to mobility, especially if you travel or move between home and work (as many workers do these days). But the more portable the laptop, the smaller the screen.
A big disadvantage of laptops is that they have smaller screens. There is also the difficulty of positioning it. When used on a desk, people often try to prop the device up, but in most cases, they still stare at the screen.
Connecting a laptop to a monitor can greatly improve the work experience and make it comparable to a regular desktop monitor PC. You can either mirror your entire screen or use the laptop screen for some activities while using the larger screen for others.
There are many tasks that require viewing data in two windows. Perhaps you are editing a finished design and comparing it to the original instructions. Or you need to pick out details from notes to include in a PowerPoint presentation.
Trying to view two windows side by side on a single screen can be frustrating. You may try to resize the windows just so, and then your configuration is lost when you have to maximize a screen to click or scroll on a menu item.
With two monitors, you have the screen real estate you need to fully open both windows and have them right next to each other so you can get your work done easily.
Have you ever shared a screen during a video call and needed to check an email or review notes? It's hard to do that when everyone can see your screen. We often "clean" our screens (e.g., disabling notifications, etc.) before joining a meeting to make sure nothing is displayed that should not be.
With two screens, you can choose which screen to share during a meeting and still have applications open on the other screen that no one can see. This is a great advantage if you need to check an email or write a message to someone while sharing your screen.
Buying another monitor is a relatively small investment when you consider the technology. On average, a monitor costs between $125 and $250. And with an average productivity gain of 42%, it can have a pretty good ROI.
There's also not much of a learning curve with this upgrade. Once the monitor is connected and the PC is set to display the extra screen, you are good to go. Users can simply drag applications and documents from one screen to another as if they had a big screen
There are a number of productivity gains you can make with the right tech tools, and they do not have to cost a fortune. Ask ONYX IT how we can help you!
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
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Onyx IT has been supported by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership through the Growing Business Fund