A second screen - should I?
Can a second monitor really make a difference to my life on screen?
Many people these days are hooking up a second monitor to their computers, but what are the real benefits of a dual screen setup and should you get a second monitor? Well that depends on how often you use your computer and what you’re using it for but there are some huge benefits to getting a second monitor that Elliott and Steve think you should consider.
If you spend quite a lot of time at your computer, either for work or play, a second screen might be just what you need. That’s especially true if a lot of your computer use is on a laptop where the screens are often smaller and it can be tricky to do banking or read smaller text. A second screen is a life and an eyesight saver!
So, why should you get a second monitor? Well, if you fit into any of the categories below then we’d highly recommend the double screen life.
Working from home
Working from home was not the norm two years ago but now we’re doing it more regularly or even permanently. If you’ve got your computer setup for working from home, then adding a second monitor can really boost your productivity by letting you view more documents simultaneously. It also makes for a better Zoom or Microsoft teams video call experience. You can look at your colleagues on one screen and a document on another. It’s life changing not having to flick between screens and you can view documents more easily when they open full size rather than in a smaller window alongside the video call.
Work and watch
We’ve all been there, when you have to do something on the computer that doesn’t really require all of your brain power, so you want to watch something or listen to some music while you work. Now true, you can do this without a second monitor, but having that dual screen setup gives you much more room to work with. You can catch up on the latest footie match or that episode of The Great British Sewing Bee you missed whilst also doing the weekly Sainsbury shop or ordering that thing from Amazon you’ve been meaning to. Easy peasy.
Gaming
Another big subset of computer users who love second screens are gamers. Many games can be played on multiple screens, essentially combining them into one ultra-wide screen. This isn’t quite as good as just buying an ultra-wide screen monitor, since there will be a visible break line in action where the two screens meet but, honestly, you stop seeing it once you get immersed into the game.
Video calls
Whilst video calls were alien to many of us a few years ago, many of our catch ups with friends or normal life ‘stuff’ (the flower arranging course, the annual local community meeting) have switched to being on screen. A second monitor can be set up to be the right size and height to really improve your experience and enjoyment of a life which is increasingly on screen.
Is a second screen right for me?
We’d highly recommend investing in a second monitor if you’re a moderate to heavy computer user, as the added convenience and multitasking capabilities are well worth it - assuming you have a spare bit of desk or table space to place the monitor on. We’re spending so much time on our computers, why not make that time as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.
Just give Tech Angels a call and we’ll happily talk you through the options which are right for you.
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