Upadated 4-3-2009

Are two monitors better than one? Well, yes. After you try it you will not believe that you were okay using just one. The reason, you are probably familiar with how to change windows from one to another, right? That is the reason. You could have one window open on one screen and another open on the other screen. This makes data entry from an electronic document easier (without resorting to printing it).

You might see this as a luxury but when you consider that a conservative estimate is 18% more productivity, you might also realize that it is an investment that does return well. On most computers you will need to add a video card probably with "dual out" because of technical difficulties in trying to match cards or extend integrated graphics (our new PCs come with dual out standard). At around $75 for the video card and $150 to $200 (see pivoting monitors below) for the monitor you are looking at around $225 in hardware and probably $75 in labor for something that will pay you back year round.

Don't try this with CRT monitors - you are a professional business and want to look like it. CRTs emit radiation, are big and irritate some people's eyes. If you are asking for productivity give back a little in comfort. Other problems? Some brands of video cards are harder to adjust than others and sometimes there are problems with lose cables but for the most part the installations have been trouble free.

One other consideration is a pivoting monitor. This allows you to have a full page open in portrait position saving the time scrolling down the page. Each time a user does not pick up their hand to move the mouse you win.

Overall if you are moving to imaging or are already there this is a must. But even if you are processing from email or web generated PDF documents you will not get hurt by adopting this technology. Why print paper and then enter it into the system? Save time and money in the long run by adding dual screens.