Best Dual Monitor Setup for 2020 - The Ultrasimple Buying Guide

Many PCs are capable of using dual monitors. A dual monitor setup allows the PC to project the operating system's desktop via two computer monitors, or it can be used to send the same desktop screen to two displays simultaneously.

Not all PCs support dual monitor setup, and if the video settings on the PC are incorrectly configured, the setup might not run as desired.

Dual displays can be configured to extend a single operating system desktop over two screens. This configuration allows you to work on a document on one screen while browsing the internet or instant messaging on the other display.

Monitors in this setup also can be used to view two documents side-by-side or to copy a file from one program to another.

It also can be configured to send the same desktop display to the two monitors simultaneously. One of the most typical examples of this setup is when a laptop is used to display a presentation.

The first computer monitor in this example is the laptop display screen, and the second PC monitor can be a projector or a sizeable wall-mounted PC monitor. It would allow a computer you to share information that you're viewing on the computer screen.

As the name says, a dual monitor setup is an operation in which you use two displays side-by-side to extend screen real estate. Typically, this setup can be arranged with two monitors, each with a standard 16:9 aspect ratio and resolutions up to 4K.

In setup, each monitor’s resolution can be either be the same or mixed, such as two 4K monitors, or one 1440p monitor and one 1080p, actually any combination you need.

Why Use It?

When considering this arrangement, you can explore virtually endless ways for the configuration. One of the main advantages of this configuration is the ability to use multiple programs simultaneously. You can also share data between different application quicker.

Let’s say, you’re browsing images on one screen. It’s possible to drag the chosen image to another screen and open in Photoshop or any other program.

It's also possible to have one screen open to a reference point such as PDF file with regulations. Then, you can use the other monitor for work related to the reference point.

It can also help to boost collaboration and communication in a business. For example, you can use a video-sharing app on one screen to cooperate with a co-worker on the other monitor.

Why is This Setup a Great Option?

Almost anyone can benefit from using this business approach. Any business who wants to boost productivity can explore the variety of studies associated with multi-monitor setups.

Programmers can utilize one screen for source coding while the other screen is being employed for making the application.

This setup would also be terrific for those who need to be better at multitasking. With proper screen space to keep various apps on the screens, you can become more efficient at multitasking. This skill would be valuable for those in web designing or customer service.

If you want easy to cut and paste any items, a dual display system is a choice to make. Folks who make newsletter on PowerPoint will find it compelling to have 2 monitors to minimize alternating between tabs.

Multiple displays also allow you to place the editing tools on one screen while an image is on the other. This process makes video and image editing a piece of cake.

Advantages & Disadvantages

The following is a list of the advantages and disadvantages related to a dual monitor setup.

How to Setup Dual Monitors?

Any modern laptop or desktop computer has the graphics capability to run dual displays. Today monitors typically come with some combination of VGA, DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort ports.

In plain English, you’ll have a couple solution on how to connect the monitor to your computer. While it’s common for VGA and DVI cables to come with the display, you may need to buy HDMI or DisplayPort cable separately if you go via that connection.

Follow these 5 steps and learn how to setup dual monitors successfully:

Step #1 Connection

Connect the second monitor to a power outlet and an available port on your PC.

Step #2 Managing of Monitors

Then, tell Windows how to manage the two monitors. If Windows only appears on one screen, or if the two of them aren’t working the way they should, right-click the desktop and pick either Screen resolution (Windows 7/8) or Display Settings (Windows 10).

Step #3 Displays’ Arrangement

In the resulting dialog box, you can define the displays’ configuration. The Multiple Displays pull-down menu lets you control how the two screens run together. Choosing to Extend these displays will lead Windows to recognize your displays as one screen.

Step #4 Pick the Monitor’s Side

Once, you have chosen that setting, you can tell Windows which dual screen is on the right or left by dragging the graphics at the top of the dialog box. Do this wrong and scrolling will be very confusing.

Step #5 Set the Main Display

The Make this my main display option manages which monitor gets Start button and the taskbar. If you don’t see this option, the currently chosen monitor is already the main one. This was the final step for this setup.

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Best Dual Monitors

It's an excellent way of boosting your productivity. It provides you more screen space to work on and delivers easier multitasking, with no need to permanently switch between tabs for reference, which is ideal for content editing or photo editing.

With the proper configuration, most monitors will work well for this action, but some solutions are more suitable than others, featuring multiple input options and thin bezels.

Therefore, our IT experts rounded up the 3 best monitors for dual monitor setup from budget 1080p monitor to versatile 4K monitor.

Acer R240HY bidx ($109) – Best 1080p Monitor

The Acer R240HY bidx will produce a superb setup for you and all your needs. Even though it may be classified as a budget monitor, it still provides a Full HD widescreen IPS panel. And with two models you can decide the size which fits them best.

The monitor zero frame design is fantastic and offers a full-immersive view, being a perfect design for this purpose.

Plus, on the back side of the monitor, it flaunts an HDMI, DVI, and even VGA ports. But it doesn’t include USB ports, so if your system has a DisplayPort, you should consider other monitors.

Dell U2715H ($549.99) – Best 1440p Monitor

This monitor offers solid color quality with a thin bezels design. Dell U2715H comes armed with VESA mount compatibility, making it duo setup compatible. Plus, you can connect a custom stand to have a more custom position.

The inbuilt stand is excellent for swivel, tilt, pivoting, and height adjustment. Also, with the Daisy change feature, it enables the connection between two displays with a single cable to your PC.

This monitor is designed with the intention of a duo set up in mind and with feature like Daisy-chain, to support that goal.

Dell UltraSharp U2718Q ($439.99) – Best 4K monitor

The Dell U2718Q is an excellent all-around display that will work well as the main screen in dual display setup.

The U2718Q is a versatile 4K monitor that’s perfect for internet surfing, graphics design, photo editing, web development, editing spreadsheets, business projects, among other things.

Generally, the picture quality is exceptional, with wide viewing angles, fantastic brightness, and almost ideal coverage for the sRGB color space once fully calibrated.

It can output in 4K at 60 Hz over both DisplayPort and HDMI, but HDR support is limited to HDMI, therefore keep that in mind when controlling the connection ports of the second display.

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