Best Dual-Monitor Setup Ideas for Mac or PC Users
EFFYDESK TEAMTwo is better than one – especially when it comes to desktop monitors.
Whether you’re a Mac or PC user; a blogger, gamer, or work-from-home employee, upgrading to a sleek dual-monitor setup can cultivate creativity and boost your productivity.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of creating the best dual monitor setup, from choosing the best monitors to troubleshooting common issues, so you can make the most of your multiple screens.
Introduction to Dual Monitor Setup
A dual monitor setup is a game-changer for anyone looking to boost productivity, streamline their workflow, or dive deeper into their favorite games.
A dual-monitor setup can look very different from person to person, but the good news is that your setup is unique to you. With adjustable monitor supports, you’re able to move your displays exactly where you need them, but a dual display isn’t strictly two monitors on mounts! A dual setup offers the flexibility to arrange two displays for optimal productivity, making multitasking easier and improving your workflow.
Benefits of a Two-Monitor Setup
Upgrading to a two-monitor setup can transform your workspace by enhancing productivity, improving multitasking, and providing a more immersive experience, whether you're working or gaming.
Double Your Desk Space
Just like a physical desk, a lot of your productivity depends on how much virtual desk space you have. It’s hard to get anything done if you’re constantly moving papers, mugs, or your cat Fur-guson who loves to sit right on your desk.
With a second monitor, you’ve got twice as much space to spread out all your documents! Rather than trying to arrange all your windows onto one desktop, tetris-style, spread your work out across two (or more) monitors.
If your old office desk is beginning to make you feel claustrophobic, look into expanding your physical desk real estate with an L-shaped desk!
Boost Office Productivity
With a clutter-free desk comes better productivity. Less mess allows your brain to relax and focus on the task at hand without additional distractions. A corner desk is perfect for those who need two or three computer monitors.
You’ll be saving a ton of time by having your physical and digital documents where you can see them (no need to spend a chunk of valuable time sorting and organizing your desktops before you start your task).
Having all your work right in front of you helps you visually keep track of what you have on your plate. Improved visibility on both your main display and external monitor helps you stay organized and efficient.
Uninterrupted, Focused Workflow
Keep your brain cogs spinning smoothly throughout the day by minimizing the number of times you have to switch back and forth between windows. Just arrange your tabs once and leave them!
You can also drag windows between monitors and test your setup by moving your mouse pointer across both screens to ensure everything is properly aligned. While switching windows might not take a lot of time, those few seconds add up—not to mention the extra few minutes if you accidentally close or open the wrong tab because of how many windows you had on the same screen.
Keep your focus right where you need it — dual displays allow you to work without having to switch windows every few minutes.
Better Remote Collaboration
Speaking of switching windows, Zoom meetings and video calls probably require you to do a lot of that when you’re on just one monitor. It’s difficult to have a document open while seeing all your peers’ beautiful faces: either the document pane is ridiculously tiny, or you can only see one person at a time.
With two windows, virtual meetings are much easier! A dual-screen setup allows you to dedicate your second screen entirely to your video call, while keeping your main work or documents open on the primary display.
Dual monitor setups are especially helpful for students who are taking online classes. Instead of squeezing two windows on one screen, using two screens means the lecture video and your study notes can each have their own monitor—much easier and more effective for online learning!
Fully Immersive Gaming Experience
Choosing the right monitor and adjusting its brightness can significantly enhance how you play games by providing optimal visuals and comfort.
First-person games really come to life when you’ve got a bigger field of vision, allowing you to get your head in the game with minimal distractions. More screen space means better vision of your enemies in an MMORPG, so you can take home that mega-kill for your team.
Multiple monitors also come in handy when you’re working on a project and need to get right into it. Some users prefer to use one monitor for gaming and a secondary monitor for multitasking, depending on their workflow and needs. When you’ve got two or three monitors in front of you, it’s harder to tear your eyes away from your work and procrastinate!
Last but not least, a gaming computer desk can make a massive difference for your gaming experience when it comes with a stylish, yet sturdy desk frame that can hold up to 300lbs!
How Do I Set up a Dual-Monitor Display?
So you’ve bought two desktop monitors you want to set up… now what?
At first glance, connecting both monitors to your computer and arranging all the cables might seem like an overwhelming task. Make sure you are connecting each monitor using the right cable—HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB Type-C. If your monitors and computer support it, you can use a dock or a one cable solution to simplify the setup and reduce cable clutter. And what about mounting them and moving them around?
We’re here to break it down for you!
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Connect both monitors to your computer, ensuring you use the correct cables for each display. If you have a dock, you can connect multiple displays through it for easier cable management. Some monitors support one cable for both video and power, which can make your dual setup even simpler. (Check out this article here to get a complete run-down on connection ports.)
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Turn your monitors and your computer on. Before proceeding, double-check that all devices are properly connected and powered on.
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Right click on your desktop and select “display settings” (Windows) or go to the “displays” tab in system preferences (Mac). You may need to scroll through the settings to find options for multiple displays. Use the identify feature to match each monitor to its physical position. This will help you configure your dual setup correctly. For example, on Windows, you can set one monitor as your main display and the other as your secondary. If you want the same image to be displayed on both monitors, select “duplicate” or “mirror” in the settings. If you want a bigger workspace, select the “extend” option.
Mounting Your Monitors
Your monitor setup is done. Now, it’s time for your physical desk setup.
For the best ergonomic benefits, you’ll want to mount your monitors on stands for quick, simple adjustments. (Helpful Tip: Here’s a quick tour of all your monitor mount options!)
When configuring your monitor mounts, look for stands that are durable and easy to adjust. Monitors can be heavy, and you don’t want monitor stands that droop as the day goes on. There’s nothing more annoying than having to adjust a monitor over and over because the stand won’t stay in place!
Having an adjustable monitor mount is one of the most important parts of your dual-monitor setup. Your body changes positions as you work, and even more so if you’re using an electric sit-stand desk. If you’re moving around during the day, your monitor should, too!
Your sitting position plays a key role in determining the ideal height and angle for your monitors to reduce neck and eye strain. Additionally, make sure to adjust your monitor height so the top of the screen is at or just below eye level for optimal ergonomics.
Choosing the Best Monitors
Start by considering the size of your screens, larger monitors offer more real estate, but make sure they fit comfortably on your desk.
Resolution is another important factor; higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K provide sharper images and more detailed visuals, which is especially valuable for creative work or a dual monitor gaming setup.
For gamers, look for monitors with high refresh rates and low response times to ensure smooth, lag-free gameplay. Adjustable stands and sleek, neutral colors can help your setup look clean and professional, while also allowing you to position your monitors at the ideal height and angle.
Popular choices like the ASUS ProArt and Dell U2725QE are known for their vibrant displays, versatile ergonomics, and a range of connectivity options, making them excellent picks for both work and play.
Ready to Build Your Dual Monitor Setup?
That’s where EFFYDESK’s Desktop Monitor Mounts can help!
Our goal is to keep you comfortable as you work, and our collection of single-screen or dual-screen monitor mounts can help reduce eye strain and fatigue by keeping you working in an ergonomic position all day.
Our super-durable monitor mounts are made with aircraft aluminum and can hold a 19-pound monitor. They also come with built-in cable management, so you can keep your wires in check! And with a lifetime warranty, what more could you ask for?
Here's what EFFYDESK customers have to say about their multi-monitor setup:
"Just finished setting up my new desk, and so far it’s fitting in great! Multiple monitors and it has no problem lifting quickly and quietly. I was worried about stability while lifted but it seems super solid! Fantastic customer service throughout the process.” — John H. (5-Star Google Review)