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Originally posted by Adeptus
quote:
Originally posted by methos
what are the 'downsides' to dual monitors... i've got a graphics card that supports dual monitors but i'm still thinking...
I am not sure any of the following are "downsides" compared to using a single monitor, but the dual monitor experience might turn out less impressive than you had hoped for.
Windows (without third party software) only gives you one taskbar, on the main monitor. That means many programs will start on the main monitor and you will have to drag them to the other. Some programs will remember it for the next time, but many won't.
Any dual monitor setup is best with two identical monitors. The inevitable variation in color balance and pixel density between different models can be very distracting when working with both side by side.
Also, if you are using different resolutions on the two monitors, there will be a "dead zone" somewhere along the edge of the monitor with the higher resolution, where the mouse cursor stops, instead of jumping to the other monitor. It makes sense in a way, but I find it annoying.
If you are thinking you will be able to run a full screen game on the primary monitor while chatting on Messenger or IRC on the other -- it doesn't quite work like that. You will be able to see your chat windows on the second monitor, but won't be able to reply without Alt-Tabing out of your game.
exactly what i was looking for, thanks... the idea stemmed from chatting with people on WLM who didn't want me to sign out to play GTA... so the idea was, one screen GTA, the other WLM... but you've outlined that as not being the case... I'll have a think about it, thanks for all the comments!
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