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: Power Mac 8200, Apr. 1996 - The minitower version of 7200 was never sold in America.
• List of the Day: G4 List is for those using Power Mac G4s or G4 upgrades.
  
• October 7 in LEM history: 98: Love that PowerBook G3 - 99: Troubleshooting 101 - Love at first sight - 02: Hot rodding a Power Mac for OS X - Beefing up Windows networking - 05: Choose FireWire 800 over USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 - Faster Mac minis shipping - Speedy 100 GB 7200 rpm notebook drives

Recent Content on Low End Mac

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• The Cost of Moving to Small Business Server vs. Moving to Leopard Server., Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 10.06. Upgrading the existing SBS 2003 Server would cost less, the the server will run up against hardware limitations long before a Mac Pro does.
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• Best eMac Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.06. Used 700 MHz CD, $110; CD-RW, $130; Combo, $170; 800 CD, $170; 1 GHz Combo, $250; SuperDrive, $280; 1.25 Combo, $290; SD, $360; 1.42 Combo, $359.
• Best MacBook Air Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.06. Used 1.6 HD, $1,299; refurb, $1,499; new, $1,669 after rebate; 1.8, $1,919 a/r; 1.6 SSD, $2,294 a/r; used 1.8 SSD, $1,997; refurb, $2,299; new, $2,349 a/r.
• Best iPod shuffle Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.06. Refurb 3G/1 GB, $39; 2 GB, $59; new 1 GB (3G or 4G), $47; 2 GB (3G or 4G), $67. Prices include ground shipping.
• Mac Netbook Coming?, $179 64 GB SSD, Apple Owns 20% of US Notebook Market, and More, The 'Book Review, 10.03. Also head of Norton AntiVirus team uses a Mac, Toshiba demos new battery technology, 1 TB notebook drives due in 2010, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
• Getting the Most from Your G3 Mac, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 10.03. Most G3 Macs can be upgraded so they can run Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' quite nicely. Here's how.
• Apple Drops iPhone NDA, Defecting to Android, Auto Performance Apps for the iPhone, and More, iNews Review, 10.03. Also more research needed on cellphone cancer link, file sharing app for the iPhone, three new power accessories from Macally, several new iPhone apps, and more.
• Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.03. Used 450 MHz, $75; 500, $99; 733, $150; 800, $199; 1.25 GHz, C$349; 867 MHz dual, $225; 1 GHz, $349; 1.25, $499; 1.42, $600.
• OS X and Safari Shares Grow in September, Toxic Mac Pro?, Green Hard Drives, and More, Mac News Review, 10.03. Also Vista terrible as Mac market grows, CrossOver Mac Pro reviewed, SimpleTech Pro Drives, and a new toolkit for working on computers.
• Best iBook G3 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.03. Used 300 MHz clamshell, $150; 366, $199; 500 CD, $149; 800, $190; 600 CD-RW, $240; 800 Combo, $300; 900, $399; 14" 600, $360; 900, $469.
• Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 Deals, Low End Mac Deals, 10.03. Mac OS X 10.0.3, $30; 10.1, $20; 10.2, $60; 10.3 CD, DVD, $100; CD, $119; 10.1 Server, unlimited users, $65; 10.3 Server, unlimited, $150.
• More links in our archive.

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