markf Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 I'm considering upgrading my monitor setup. Currently have two workstations each using a 21" CRT. One workstation is kept relatively clear of extraneous stuff and used for Max, Photoshop, Ilustrator and occaisionaly Premiere. The other has e-mail, financial, office etc. I'm thinking of having two monitors for the primary station. Considering Dell 2007 FPW 20" and Dell 2407 FPW 24". Trying to decide between just 1 - 24" or 24" with 20" or two 20". Any advice on this much appreciated? Planning to use 1 - 20" for the secondary system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mottle Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 I have been using 2 19" CRT for years and recently switched to a single 30" Dell. I like it much better than dual monitors now. Something to consider anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 I have 2 19" at work, and the Dell 24" at home. The 24" is great, but I find it harder to organize. With most programs on my dual 19's I have my work area on the left, with all of my toolbars on the right. Maybe I haven't looked into it enough, but when I maximize Sketchup or whatever with the 24" I end up having to move around all of my toolbars since they are in my way all of the time. Is there a better way to organize a large single? If you're a gamer, I'd go with the 24"... Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markf Posted May 7, 2007 Author Share Posted May 7, 2007 This is exactly the issue I'm wondering about. Since I haven't had a chance to try the different config's I'm hoping to draw on others experience. I'm not a gamer. I was thinking that I would hav eone monitor for the App like Max and the other for all of the tool palletes etc. I'm not sure if this is best or using the space on a single 24" or 30 " would work beter. Thank you both for replying. Hope to hear from any others who may have esxperience with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 How much of an issue is money, also, do you have limited desk-space? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markf Posted May 7, 2007 Author Share Posted May 7, 2007 Money and space are somewhat of an issue. I want to have a good professional setup but don't need the absolute best. So a reasonable vs exorbitant cost is what I'm after. I have an L shape desk. Longer leg inside length is 5'6" and it's 2'4" deep. Shorter leg inside length is 3'-0" and it's 2'-0" deep. have one workstation at each end and sit in between. Also have printer on desk but can likely figure out how to move it to a roll out from under cart or something. Thanks for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 Have you considered a KVM switch? It's a great option if you don't need to be on both PC's at the same time. I bought one from Best Buy for around $60 and it switches over my keyboard, video signal, mouse and audio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markf Posted May 7, 2007 Author Share Posted May 7, 2007 I'm not familiar with the KVM switch. It sounds interesting. Would I be able to have my primary workstation using two monitors and than switch one of the monitors and the keyboard and mouse back and forth wtih the other work station? Somehow this sounds awkward? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 Basically you use one keyboard, one mouse and one monitor. There's a button at your desk that switches over the USB, video and audio feeds to the other machine. Both of my machines are set at 1920x1200 for the 24". I can be rendering in Maxwell on my core 2 duo, then switch over to the older machine to do some modeling, or just check email etc. Both are networked to share the same work directories. It's nice because it all fits on my desk and I can actually be productive while one computer is a paperweight...plus I don't have to move. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markf Posted May 7, 2007 Author Share Posted May 7, 2007 Thats very interesting and I'm going to give it some consideration. Does the 24" allow you to keep all of the dialogs and tool s etc comfortably off to the side of your main Max workspace? Thanks for the helpful replies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 I have a 30" flatscreen Viewsonic. I havnt calibrated this as I think its software is a bit clumsy, but I work with a dell laptop with a wondeful screen which I use for all my levels/colour balancing. The Viewsonic was only around $320 I think. Both pieces of kit fit on my tiny desk in my tiny room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brolloks Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 Something to remember or think about. If you decide to get two screens (which I would prefer and currently use) it helps if they are the same size and resolution. I currently use a 19" for main screen and 17" for secondary and it can be akward sometimes to move the mouse between the two. Even more so if they run at different resolutions. I find it easier to organize my workspace with 2 screens rather than one large screen. If desk space is at a premium you might have to go for LCD screens rather than CRT. Here in ZA it's cheaper to get two decent CRT screens than 2 decent LCD panels of good quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 If you're still thinking about a large single, I came across this little app that lets you organize the workspace. I'm not sure how well it works though... http://jgpaiva.donationcoders.com/gridmove.html Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markf Posted May 18, 2007 Author Share Posted May 18, 2007 Thank you all for your helpful replies. I've decided to go with two 20" LCD for the primary workstation. Hope to be getting them soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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