Improve Productivity with a Second Display

A lot has gone on (computer wise) since my unplanned absence from Low End Mac. I got rid of my Windows laptop, got a Treo 750 (which I'll cover in another article), and got a TiBook 667 DVI (my main machine). And my iMac G4 is still running strong in my recording studio.

But most importantly, with some of the money I got from selling my Windows laptop, I purchased a nice big 22" LCD monitor. Wow!

Screen space definitely spoils. I currently have iTunes, Azures, Mail.app, my iChat buddy list, two chat windows, and Apple Software Update downloading QuickTime and iTunes on my PowerBook's built-in 15" 1280 x 854 display. On my 22", which runs at 1680 x 1050, I have Microsoft Word and Safari.

I can type an article and do full page browsing with one monitor! Wow!

Having two screens increases my productivity by a lot. I can do research and type a page without having to switch windows. I can look at my torrents with a glance while browsing the Web. I keep the clutter (like apps) on the second display and do my main work on my 22" screen.

OS X handles dual monitors with grace, as expected. When I unplug my 22", the internal PowerBook display automatically becomes the main display, and OS X seamlessly transfers my open windows as well as desktop files - and it does the reverse when I reconnect the 22".

'It's Not for Me'

A lot of people think dual monitors are a waste of money - and I can't blame them for thinking that. It's an added cost for something that seems unnecessary.

When I bought my monitor, I was going to use it "clamshell mode" and keep the PowerBook lid closed, using my 22" as my only display. What pulled me in (as well as lot's of dual monitor users) was the sheer coolness factor of seamlessly dragging a window from one display to the other.

Does Apple have any effect on it?

Yes! Not up until recently has Apple made display spanning possible on consumer machines.

I'd love it if I were able to do dual displays on my iLamp (er, iMac G4). I primarily use Logic Express and GarageBand on that machine. Having a big monitor jacked into it would allow me to edit in at least half the time. Apple used to assume that consumers didn't care for that functionality.

I couldn't stress the benefits of using dual monitors enough. If you don't believe me, go down to your basement, pull out that old computer monitor, hook it up to your Mac (assuming it supports spanning), and try it for yourself.

Recent Macs with Music articles

• The life and death of Aqua in Apple software and Mac OS X, 08.23. Aqua was a fresh new look that Apple previewed with iMovie 2 and iTunes, thoroughly embraced in early versions of OS X, began to tone down with "Jaguar", and is abandoning in "Leopard".
• Firefox a wonderful browsing experience on Mac or Windows, 08.24. Not only is Firefox a better browser than Internet Explorer, but it's also good enough to replace Safari as a Mac user's default browser.
• Reckless Drivin' a great diversion, 08.04. This bird's eye view racing game works on low-end OS X systems and is a fun way to kill some time.
• Building a low cost recording studio around an iMac G4, 07.24. "After learning about GarageBand, I had to have it. I scrounged up a used iMac on my local craigslist for $50."
• More in the Macs with Music index.

Links for the Day

• Mac of the Day: 17" MacBook Pro Core Duo, Apr. 2006 - The top-end MacBook Pro includes a 1680 x 1050, 2.16 GHz Core Duo CPU, and supports Apple 30" Cinema Display.
• Group of the Day: G4 List is for those using Power Mac G4s or G4 upgrades.
  
• November 24 in LEM history: 98: Microsoft's heavy hand - 00: Looking at the iMac - 04: The best Mac for the holidays - Picking the right replacement for a dead mouse - Better battery for 15" AlBook
• Support Low End Mac

Recent Content on Low End Mac

• Pismo WiFi Networking Issue Finally Solved?, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.24. It turns out the problems wasn't the Pismo, the Buffalo WiFi card, or Mac OS X 10.4. It was the Wireless G router - Linksys to the rescue!
• Mini VGA to S-video Adapter a No Go for eMacs, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 11.24. You might think that Apple's Mini VGA S-video adapter is a cheap way to connect your eMac or G4 iMac to your TV. You would be wrong.
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• Why Spaces is My Favorite Leopard (and Snow Leopard) Feature, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.23. Spaces, a feature introduced with OS X 10.5, is like having several monitors on your Mac without the cost and space of using multiple displays.
• i5 iMac Benchmarked, Mac mini 'Shouldn't Be Overlooked', Twitter Client for Classic Mac OS, and More, Mac News Review, 11.20. Also why Apple leaves the low end to others, 10.6.2 fixes video playback problem in 27" iMac, 3D Leopard and Snow Leopard performance, and more.
• Apple's Tablet an End Run Beyond Netbooks, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.20. Whatever Apple has planned will leverage existing technologies while going beyond what its competitors can offer.
• Apple #4 in Reliability, Apple Tablet a Gadget for All?, HP's i7 Notebook Outdoes Mac Rivals, and More, The 'Book Review, 11.20. Also Flash 10.1 improves video on Hackintosh netbooks, thin-and-light notebooks impress, Windows XP finally on the way out, and more.
• NASA Chemical Sensor for iPhone, Smartphone Death Match, iPhone Earrings, and More, Ian R Campbell, 11.20. Also mobile phone dangers, new apps, GPS solution for iPod touch, new iPod and iPhone cases, and more.
• More links in our archive.

Recent Deals

• Best G4 iMac Deals, 11.24. Used 15" 700 MHz CD-RW, $150; 800 MHz Combo, $229; 1 GHz, $289; 17" 1.25 GHz, $200; 20" 1.25 GHz, $509.
• Best MacBook Air Deals, 11.24. Used from $899; refurb from $1,099; new 1.6 GHz/120 HD, $1,150 after rebate; 1.8/64 SSD, $1,150 a/r; 1.86/128 SSD, $1,350 a/r; 2.13/128 SSD, $1,694 a/r.
• Best PowerBook G3 Deals, 11.24. Used 233 MHz WallStreet, $75; 266 MHz, $160; 400 MHz Lombard, $199; 400 MHz Pismo, $289; 500 MHz, $350.
• Best 12" PowerBook G4 Deals, 11.23. Used 867 MHz SuperDrive, $348; 1 GHz Combo, $379; SD, $519; 1.33 GHz, $529; 1.5 GHz Combo, $549; SuperDrive, $609.
• Best Mac Pro Deals, 11.23. Used 2.66 GHz 4-core, $1,300; 3.0 4-core. $1,919; refurb 2.66 4-core Nehalem, $2,149; 2.93, $2,549; 2.93 8-core, $4,999; new 2.26 8-core, $2,290.
• Best Time Capsule and AirPort Deals, 11.23. Used 802.11g AirPort Extreme, $49; 500 GB Time Capsule, $150; new, $190; 1 TB dual-band, $280; 2 TB, $469; 802.11n AirPort Extreme, $170.
• Best eMac Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz Combo, $100; SuperDrive, $269; 1.25 GHz Combo, $119; SD, $319; 1.42 GHz Combo, $289; SD, $498.
• Best Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac Box Set Deals, 11.18. "Snow Leopard", single user, $25; 5 users, $45; Mac Box Set, single user, $139; 5 users, $180; Server, $414. Shipping included.
• Best Xserve Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz dual G4, $649; 2.3 dual G5, $795; 3.0 4-core Xeon, $1,899; refurb 2.26 4-core, $2,499; new, $2,888; refurb 8-core, $2,999; new, $3,449; more.
• More deals in our archive.

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