10 Reasons Why Multiple Monitors Boost Productivity and Why You Should Start Using it

One world is not enough. But let us come to a smaller scale now. Have you ever had a wish to double the screen size of your normal monitor? If you are a multitasker in true sense then you must have. With the ever increasing applications and random switching between them, somehow even a wide angled monitor is not proving to be as effective as it should have. Most of the busy people in the technology world have gone for dual/ multiple monitors now. Even studies from Utah University show People who used the two 20-inch monitors were 44% faster than those with the 18-inch ones. Even as we delved into it more and more, Microsoft’s research work was a revelation too. If you are still not convinced that a multiple monitor is beneficial for your professional efficiency, then read on.

1. More is More!

Its simple. More is certainly more. You get more space for your desktop environment. Feel like a lucky real estate agent who can afford to make his bathroom bigger than the spacious bedroom. And so, keep your applications, icons, software, open windows anywhere and as scattered as possible.

2. More Means Less

More usable desktop space reduces the amount of time you spend on window management excise. Instead of incessantly dragging, sizing, minimizing and maximizing windows, you can do actual productive work. With a larger desktop, you can spend less time mindlessly arranging information, and more time interacting with and acting on that information

3. Switch Between Applications Faster

I remember an user having a perfect example of application switching and the ease of doing that in a multiple monitor. I will quote him so that you get the real picture.

I can’t imagine working with only a single monitor again. We conduct a lot of Internet research for our Job Finder books and constantly have a browser open in one monitor and our FileMaker Pro database in the other. You can’t imagine how much time we save with this set up.

And another

I use duals monitors in my home studio. As a music producer using Reason and Cubase, (a lot of the time together) I need to able to view multiple applications at the same time so dual monitors are for me best. 3 monitors would be ideal.

So you see, best of both worlds!

4. Comparing Documents or Sharing Between More than One

Suppose you need to compare two maps or text documents to see what changes are to be made or is made already. How annyoing will the task of seeing one at a time, memorizing and then editing be? Two monitors can simply help you have two large windows side by side without overlapping and thereby curing your headache!

5. Handle Interruptions in a better way

Studies are never employee friendly. Most of the researches have seen that employees lose focus at work due to untimely interruptions such as chat pop-ups, mail notifications and they need to minimize them every time to get back to work. A lazy employee won’t even think of returning for few minutes though. Lol. But hey all you netizens, you have a solution here.

You can manage interruptions much better,  instant message conversations can be placed in your right monitor while you work uninterrupted on your other works.  when you are sharing your screen in a web conference or watching someone else share theirs, you can still have a screen for IM conversations and another for reference material or note taking. Happy?

6. Gamers - You Need it

Video game enthusiasts use as many monitors as they can find the money and the desk space for. “Some of the hard-core pro-gamers rock three, even four, monitors for intense 3-D shooters.

Many games, especially those that offer a choice of camera views (including Quake and Doom), are explicitly designed for multiple screens, but the option seems most popular for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Users of that program may use separate screens for the instrument panel, maps, panoramic views ahead, views to the side, and exterior views of their virtual aircraft. (A sampling is at www.wideview.it.)

7. Increases Work Efficiency

Microsoft researchers have found out that with  multiple monitors you can increase your work efficiency by 9-50 percent! As an employer or an entrepreneur or anyone who wants to work honestly and quick, isn’t this a reason enough to go for multiple monitors?

The Times’ Farhad Manjoo thinks for a total maximum investment of about $500, the multi-monitor setup is more than worth the investment. What do you think?

and yeah. if you are in doubt, then there is another person, less known, less popular. You may have heard of his name, Mr. Bill Gates. He recommends it as well. According to him,

On my desk I have three screens, synchronized to form a single desktop. I can drag items from one screen to the next. Once you have that large display area, you’ll never go back, because it has a direct impact on productivity.

Period.

8. Keep Your Desk Clean

Well though you may say its a far off correlation. But I disagree. You just didn’t see my desk before and after using dual monitors. With this new monitor set up, I don’t need to take additional notes from a Window which I had to close earlier. Everything is and remains on the screen. What I need is just to look.

9. The techie Cool Factor

You just can not shove off the factor of coolness. If you and every one in your office works with a dual monitor, imagine how cool will it be for looks. It will also give you a techie stamp without hesitation.

10. Humor: Natural Exercise

If you are still not convinced with dual monitors, then perhaps you are waiting for this. Having multiple monitors need your neck go up and down, left and right you know. Naturally the muscle is flexed and so is your body movement. A natural exercise without even being conscious about it. Do you mind? Lol.

What setup are you using? A single monitor or a dual or may be more. Write to us with your reasons of using or not using multiple monitors. Do you want me to write an article on best multiple monitor set up as well. Please give us feedbacks, We will be waiting with both the screens flashing for your comment. Cheers!