Say YES to dual monitors.

I recently told a client that she should have dual monitors at her desk. She replied, “I’ve been using only one for decades. Why do I need two now?” Here are some reasons:

1. Dual monitors present a larger, crisper image that spans across two devices.
2. Dual monitors let you sit straight because the images are larger.
3. My MBA clients have dual monitors. The rest of us should too.

Let’s explore each reason.

Dual monitors present a larger, crisper image that spans across two devices.

The monitors I deploy these days have a 24” diagonal measurement and present an image 1920 columns wide x 1080 rows high. This size and resolution present more information and crisper images. When you have two monitors, you are getting 3840 columns. Your eyes do less work focusing and refocusing on the screen. You and your people enjoy looking at their monitors. They get more done.

Go one step further. Imagine running one app on one monitor and another app on the other. When I run QuickBooks, I usually have QuickBooks on one monitor and Outlook or a web browser on the other. Both are maximized. Both run at a comfortable size for me to see what I need.

Dual monitors let you sit straight because the images are larger.

A larger image lets you stop leaning forward and instead keep your back erect. You end employees with these monitors have a more comfortable work environment, get more done and have better attendance. Imagine looking at a picture that is 10” x 10” and then finding the same picture at double the size. Which picture would mandate you lean forward to view it? Which picture would let you keep a safe distance? Which picture would keep your attention longer?

Go one step further. Maybe resizing the image large enough would obscure other apps. Move the image in question to one monitor and maximize it. Go to the other monitor and launch another app. You can see the image when you want and know that it is not obscuring another app.

MBAs have them. The rest of us should too.

Why is this so? Perhaps it’s the advanced productivity training they get. I do not have an MBA but I do have MBA clients. They have dual monitors already or they ask me to deploy them. They understand the benefits behind running multiple apps and having both visible at the same time.

The cost.

I know you’re asking about the cost. The monitors I mention run $160 and a video card runs $200. You can go cheaper, but the investment here surely pays for itself. Here’s to your and your employees’ productivity.