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Multiple monitors don't just look cool, they can actually post your productivity. Whether you're editing large images, working with video or simply playing games, multiple monitors give you you more screen real estate to work on your projects, a bit like having a larger digital desk.
With monitor prices falling and most modern graphics cards supporting at least a dual monitor set-up, having several screens isn't as expensive as it used to be.
However, there are a few tricks to setting up multiple monitors that can make the process a little tricky. Here's our guide to setting up multiple monitors.
== Graphics cards ==
Start by checking out your current graphics card to see if there's a second output. If not, your first step will be buying a new graphics card that can connect two monitors.
There are numerous graphics cards on the market, ranging from the simple $100 models that will work for most people, to high-end models aimed at gamers. Unless you're doing very graphics intensive work (video editing or the like) the lower end will probably work just fine.
== Monitors ==
You could go out and splurge on some nice big, new monitors, but there's a good chance whatever you're using now will work just fine, which means you just need to add a second screen.
When it comes to buying a second monitor, try to stick with a similar model to what you have. While not totally necessary, similar models will generally be easier to set up and configure.
Also keep in mind that older graphics cards probably won't have support for modeler connections like HDMI. Fortunately are adapters to connect HDMI to DVI (the most common connector). If you've got a new monitor, but old graphics card, be sure to pick up the appropriate adapter when you buy that second monitor.
== Multiple monitors in Windows ==
Once you've got your second monitor and graphics card installed and hooked up to your PC, it's time to connect to Windows. Turn off your PC, plugin in the second monitor and restart Windows. With any luck Windows will detect the new display and install the drivers for you.
At this point your should have a mirror of your desktop on two screens. That's nice, but not what we're after here. Head to Control Panel >> Display and select the multiple display option. Adjust the resolution and orientation to suit your monitor setup and you'll now have dual monitors.
Now you can drag windows between monitors and adjust your windows to suit your workflow.
== Multiple monitors in Ubuntu ==
Ubuntu's monitor setup screen live in System >> Preference >> Display. Once that screen is up, click the detect monitors button which will force the system to find your new monitor. Select all the monitors listed and click the "on" radio button.
Be sure to uncheck the "mirror" option and then click apply.
While the process of setting up multiple monitors in Linux is easy, finding drivers that support your monitors isn't always easy. Before you head out to purchase a new graphics card, be sure to check with the Ubuntu forums and read up on success and failure stories.
== Multiple monitors in Mac OS X ==
Not every Mac supports multiple monitors, so be sure to check the Apple support documents for your model before you purchase a second monitor.
Assuming your Mac does, all you need to do is plug it in and Mac OS X should automatically recognize it. Head to System Preferences >> Displays and you will see two screens pop-up -- one on each monitor. From here you can control your monitor settings, add backgrounds and so on.
== Everything all at once ==
While we've focused on dual monitors for single operating systems, it is in fact possible to run multiple OSes on multiple monitors simultaneously. If you're interested check out [http://synergy-foss.org/ Synergy]. Not only can Synergy share a single mouse, keyboard and multiple monitors across operating systems, it can even share clipboard data across all those PCs and operating systems.
== Conclusion ==
Thanks to the falling price of LCD monitors, having a dual monitor set up is no longer just something for the very wealthy. In fact, you can grab a graphics card and a new 19 inch monitor for less than $250. With the price of a dual monitor setup well below that of the average smart phone, why not double the size of your digital desk?
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