Maneuvring back and forth between open programs by clicking your mouse continuously or the “alt-tab” keys has been an common and useful way but lacks the efficiency of viewing two sets of data side by side on 2 or more displays. Almost exclusively, a multiple monitor computer has been in the realm of computing enthusiasts such as gamers, graphic designers and financial traders. With the increasingly lower cost of LCD displays and the advancement of video card technology setting up a computer with 2 monitors or more is easy and very inexpensive.
New desktop computer systems provide integrated graphics that enable two independent monitors to run via DVI, HDMI or VGA outputs. This can be found in the Intel Z68 and H67 platforms which provide an integrated graphics solution. Going from 2 monitors up to 4, 6 or 12 will require multiple graphics cards with multiple display outputs. Modern video cards can handle at least 2 monitors, with some going up to 4 or 5 on each card!
It has been proven that computing with multiple monitors can enhance productivity and reduce error rates when compared to users performing similar tasks with a single display. People find they can work much more efficiently in a multiple display environment and will find it much easier to navigate multiple informational sources.
People can simultaneously use two or more programs side by side on displays or stretch a multi column speadsheet across two screens. Having financial information, marketing or web page data on one screen while simultaneously on the second screen creating an email is much easier than trying to “alt-tab” your way to get the job done.
Using a computer at home for entertainment or personal use is much better with 2 or more screens. Imagine watching a Blu-Ray movie on your secondary screen, while your primary screen is used for email, word processing or just browsing the web! You could have a video chat via SKYPE going on one screen while using the second screen to browse the web. The use of a multiple monitor computer is really endless!