PRSS Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Hello everybody Through the web, I am seeing a lot of people are using two monitors (both fairly large screens - say 23-24inch - looks like) when working in AutoCAD. Even some of the AutoCAD ads or in the brochure, two monitors are shown. I saw in the web one whole office floor with lot of people working with 2 monitors in CAD. Is this a necessity for efficiency. Will productivity suffer using one 23 inch monitor? I have provided all my staff with 23 inch monitors. Please throw some light on this. I wish to know if I am doing something wrong - when almost the whole of the rest of the world (other than India, where I am) seems to be using 2 monitors. Thanks in advance PRSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven-g Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 2 monitors is more efficient, it's not neccessary but it does make a difference, especially if you use other programs along with Autocad like Excel, anything that stops you having to swap around different windows is a good idea, I prefer to work on a large clutter free screen for drawing, so I have forced myself to use keyboard input for commands, so no ribbon or menu's etc? but a lot of people move them onto a second monitor. At the last 2 companies I worked 2 screens was standard. Just a note life is much easier if both monitors are the same size even the same model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organic Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I only have one screen (which is less than 23 inches I think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 It is very nice (and addicting!) to have two screens, but not at all required. In fact, it can be tempting to distract oneself with putting something on the second screen that perhaps you don't need to look at. Like this forum... that I have...on the second... hmm... Anyway. When you say you see "everyone else" having two screens - think about who you are really seeing. You are seeing the folks that perhaps for a living is showing off their work, they work with the Internet and understand how to use the Internet. I am not doing a very good job of explaining I feel, but my point is that the great mass that uses AutoCAD, you never see because they are sitting behind their screen, working with AutoCAD - and even if half of them uses two screen, it's still a huge number of people not using two screens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debalance Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 The second screen will actually distract from the work with AutoCAD (IMHO). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRSS Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 Thanks everybody for the quick replies. Though I would really love to have to have two monitors, our economy here is not so encouraging. So we manage with one. It is comforting to know that many are using one monitor in the rest of the world too !! With best regards PRSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 CAD techs have been using one monitor setups for years and years and their productivity hasn't suffered enough to be noticed. Yes, there are some jobs that might benefit from a two monitor setup but I really don't see the need for your company to run out and buy everyone a second one. Your graphics card also has to be able to support the addition of a second monitor. Do you know if yours does? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRSS Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 Thank you very much. This is really heartening. Just found out that my graphics cards do not support 2 monitors !! Best regards PRSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f700es Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 What kind of card do you have? Most low end cards support dual monitors these days. My card was $75 (when new) and it supports 2 monitors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handiman Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I have any pdf's with job info and part details or specifications when needed on the 2nd screen. I will never go back to a single monitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resullins Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I'm with Handiman. I've been using two monitors for as long as I can remember, and I'm officially spoiled. That being said, it's absolutely not necessary for productivity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pefi Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 My 2 cents: I have 2 x 19" 4:3 and it was _pain_ when I had to go back to one screen for a while. I tried to set up 3, but the graphic card couldn't drive them in the same time :-/ One monitor might be enough if you work on one drawing, but for working on 2+ drawings in the same time or autocad + data in spreadsheet it's much easier with 2 screens. Get 2 screens if you can and decide after 2 weeks if you want to return to one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debalance Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I will never go back to a single monitor. Never say never... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Never say never... From Russia with Love? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debalance Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 From Russia with Love?Of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRSS Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 Thanks everybody. From whatever I have read from the replies of this post, even though my computers can handle 2 monitors, I don't seem to have the needs which others have in having 2 monitors. So I, for now, settle for only one for eac computer. Thanks again. You people have really helped in making a decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pefi Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I'm with Handiman. I've been using two monitors for as long as I can remember, and I'm officially spoiled. That being said, it's absolutely not necessary for productivity. OK, what about that: your well-being is increasing productivity and having 2 screens on your desk is improving your well-being? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debalance Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 OK, what about that: your well-being is increasing productivity and having 2 screens on your desk is improving your well-being? Somehow I think that well-being does not depend on the number of screens on the desk.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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