I can see for miles and miles – with my new monitors
The view of the world from your desktop is more important than ever, and it’s all made possible with monitors.
Modern technology allows the use of smart TVs as monitors (imagine a 50-inch screen), mixed monitors of differing sizes or a group of contiguous monitors arranged in a matrix.
The time has come to expand your view of the world with multiple monitors. You will wonder why it took you so long to experience it.
Most people with PCs or laptops made in the last five years or so can use multiple monitors by simply plugging them in and rebooting the computer. Usually, the computer will detect the additional monitors and set them up for you.
If it doesn’t automatically set up the right view for you, there are controls to make the changes that you desire. For example, you can designate which monitor is used for boot-up, which to use for tools or which to use for videos, games or photo editing.
Before setting up multiple monitors, think about updating your Windows software. If you have been ignoring notifications about updating Windows, the first step is to allow the updates to proceed. Note: You may have to turn off your antivirus software before doing the update.
The next thing you need to know is what outputs the computer supports. Basically, there are four types of video outputs. The oldest is VGA, the legacy video output most common to computers built before 2018. Then there are newer outputs like HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI. Most new computers support two or three of the options.
VGA outputs are usually blue and have two rows of pins totaling 15 pins. DVI has lots of pins, including a slot-looking pin, and is usually white. HDMI looks similar to a USB connector with “dog-ears” and is usually black. DisplayPort is very small in comparison to the other outputs, and it’s black as well.
Once you have identified what video outputs your computer supports, go shopping for monitors that have those features. Adaptors or add-in video cards are available if you don’t have the right output for the monitor you want. Ask the sales person to explain the options. If they can’t, you’re in the wrong store. Ask a pro what brands to buy.
Multiple monitors have become an inexpensive addition to the computing experience. Just imagine watching a great video on one monitor and checking email on another, or creating a drawing on one monitor with the “tools” on another. Now that’s convenient and fun.
William Claney is an independent tech writer and former owner of Computers USA in the Clayton Station. Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.