The ability of our PC’s to run multiple programs and present a variety of information simultaneously has an enormous effect on our own productivity. However, our capacity to interface with all of this stimuli at the same time often corresponds to the amount of actual PC monitor screen real estate we have available to us. As a result, one of the ways we can really boost our productivity is with a multi-display desktop setup like the ASUS VG279QM three-monitor display that I have been testing this week.
Long gone are the days when using our PC’s and other devices or browsing the internet meant focusing on a single window for an extended time. Today we are constantly conditioning ourselves to multitask. Having multiple programs and windows on the go at any given time is simply the norm. Here are a few ways in which a multi-display desktop can help you get the most out of your PC.
Enough space
For this look into multi-display desktops setups I am lucky to be using three very nice ASUS gaming monitors. The ASUS 27″ VG279QM TUF gaming monitor is a real gem. It features an HD screen, 280 Hz refresh rate, G-SYNC compatibility, and more.
You’ll learn very quickly (as I did) that for this sort of setup you’ll want to have ample space. A large desk or other spaciously robust solution is a must. Since my own home PC desk is otherwise occupied, I tested this multi-display desktop setup on my kitchen table. It takes up the entire space—but it sure does look amazing.
You’ll also want to ensure you have not only enough desk space to house a multi-display monitor setup, but enough distance as well. In early testing I had the monitors pushed a bit too close to my seat. The result was something almost intrusively immersive, with the vast display area resulting in uncomfortable viewing angles.
Once I set the monitors back a ways, the result was night and day. The enormous expanse of screen space is still immersive and sublime, but without requiring significant craning of the neck to reach the edges. The lesson here is that with this much viewing area, it’s ideal to ensure the proper distance for optimal vision.
Multi-display desktop compatibility
Another key factor to consider from the outset when planning for a multi-display desktop setup is GPU (graphics processing unit) compatibility. In order to support multiple displays your PC’s GPU (or video card) must have enough display outputs. These can be made up of a variety of connection types, so long as they are compatible with the monitor(s) you are using.
For example, my GPU for this setup has 3 outputs—(1) HDMI, (1) DisplayPort, and (1) DVI. The ASUS monitors I am using accept only HDMI and DisplayPort, so for the third connection, I am using a DVI-to-HDMI converter cable. The good news is that it doesn’t matter that each connection is of a different type, so long as each monitor has its own connection to the GPU.
Of course while I used multiple types of connections, your setup may be different depending on your GPU. Many GPU’s are manufactured with multi-display desktop setups in mind, and come with 3-4 HDMI outputs, as an example.
The good news is that the process is really as simple as just plugging your monitors in. Once the connections are made Windows will automatically detect each monitor. From there it’s just a simple matter of tweaking the display settings to ensure the monitors are recognized in the proper order, and you should be all set to go with an incredible multi-monitor display!
Going bezel-free
For this multi-display monitor setup I have also incorporated the ASUS ROG Bezel-Free Kit. This neat accessory uses reflective angles to give the illusion of a seamless appearance between each individual monitor. It’s a very impressive trick to say the least.
I have to admit: while the bezel-free kit is easy to install initially, it took me quite a bit of tweaking to get it just right. For the kit to work, the monitors have to line up just perfectly. Even the slightest angle being askew will cause warping or black bezel reflections.
While it takes a patient and steady hand, once the kit is properly aligned it does look quite amazing. It’s worth noting that the viewing angle is reduced; you must sit directly in line with the angle of the kit. Moving too far out of the optimal area will cause those imperfect reflections and lines to appear.
In truth I believe the bezel-free kit will be a matter of personal preference for most. It has its own strengths and drawbacks—at the end of the day it isn’t exactly invisible itself. The trade-off for a seamless screen is a small amount of screen warp right where the monitors meet. Nevertheless, while some may still prefer to simply see the bezel, others will surely be impressed by the bezel-free kit’s vanishing act.
Boosting productivity
With your multi-display desktop up and running, the results can be outstanding when it comes to productivity. With so much screen real estate at your disposal, it’s simply easier to juggle multiple windows and programs at the same time. No more digging and hunting through endlessly layered tabs and windows to find what you are looking for!
I myself tend to have multiple windows open on my PC when I am working my day job. Spreadsheets, web portals, virtual machines—these are all windows I am juggling at any given time. With a multi-display desktop setup such as this however, my productivity no doubt gains a huge benefit.
Instead of constantly flipping through windows, I am able to stretch all my active tasks across the screen. So much time is saved by simply having to traverse the horizontal expanse of my viewing area as opposed to regularly minimizing or burying each active program or task.
Be productive at work, and at play
Of course our jobs are important, but so is our leisure time, and that may just be when I enjoy my multi-display desktop setup the most. As a gamer I don’t just use my PC to play. I also enjoy streaming, watching other players on platforms such as Twitch, checking out videos and guides, and much more.
With three monitors I can comfortably play a game while simultaneously watching my favourite speedrunner, and even following along with a walkthrough guide all at once. It’s amazing the amount of entertainment multi-tasking one can do with enough screen space to host games, media stream, web pages, and more all at the same time.
Of course the truly bold may even wish to format a custom resolution for their multiple display setup that will allow a single game to take advantage of all three screens. Imagine how immersive the experience of a racing game might be when the cockpit of your racer is spread across not one, not two, but three impressive 27″ gaming monitors such as these. Just make sure you have a healthy GPU that’s up to the task!
With the proper setup, a multi-display desktop can really improve performance and productivity
In an age where information and accessibility are at an all time high, the benefits of having multiple PC monitors really can’t be overstated. We have become so accustomed to bouncing between web browsers, office programs, media players, and much, much more. Having more space to manage and view everything at once can not only boost productivity, but overall enjoyment as well.
Having three gorgeous 27″ ASUS gaming monitors linking together with a bezel-free kit is a pure joy. The immersive experience really improves my time at the computer, both in regard to work and to leisure. I definitely would recommend a multi-display desktop setup to anyone looking to gain more from their PC in the home or office.
I will use one screen for the IDE, one for browser and the last one for social networks.
andcharron@yahoo.com
One Screen for playing a video game and the other for social networking or emails.
One for email, one for Netflix
Emails and spreadsheets.
I would use the extra space to watch videos.
My son said he will use all three screens for gaming but I will use one screen for drafting work documents, one screen for emails and one screen for music videos.
Bezel free is awesome.
I would have 1 for Netflix, 1 for work and i for play.
this looks pretty cool, I would dedicate one screen to maps, another to walkthroughs and the other to the game I am playing
Honestly you can never have enough screen real estate. I’d replace the laptop screen i’m using now as with this one so i don’t have to keep hunching over to see things
I use the extra screen space to keep extra open windows. I can have my browser open in one, my email in another, and a document (excel, word, powerpoint, etc.) I’m working on in another assuming I have that many “panes”.
One screen for work one for Netflix
This would be great for working from home. One screen for work, email and games.
Wow, this would be awesome for working at home. And Photoshop. Mmmmmm
Oh gosh! I would love to use this for the very lame comparing documents purpose! My husband and our kid would love it for gaming though!
Would have the middle set up for gaming/main browsing. Have one of the side ones set up with discord/teamspeak and any media program. Last screen would be for browsing as well while gaming.
Awesome. Email on one screen. Processing work on another. Solitaire on the last screen. Thanks!
Love the bezel-free concept. Documents on one, email on a second and some tension relieving social media or video streaming on the third.
Working from Home and Multi-Tasking, my cat and I would love this Asus VG2790M 3 Monitor Display!
I would love this for my home office. Would use it to work on spreadsheets, while viewing emails and youtube so I don’t get bored.
My brother would be so jealous! I can’t imagine how immersive this experience would be.
Video games + streaming media + browsing internet would be amazing
Right now this would be great for my kids. One for video classes with teachers, one for working on assignments and one for text book, google or other learning resources.
I would use the extra space for a more immerse gaming environment. In my current environment, it will be:
1 screen for e-mails, 1 screen for my gaming and 1 screen for all other programs.
Rocking 3 monitors will allow me to multi-task when working from home and supporting all of our remote staff. When not engaged in work I may fire up a game or two and completely immerse myself in the game worlds. Thanks for the chance to win!
I would use it for gaming but also for helping me program. Having multiple monitors for programming is really useful for having one screen to write code, one for having the internet just in case I need ask it anything, and the last one for an email that my boos sends me detailing what he wants me to do. This would be such a big help.
I have 2 boys and oh maaaaan they will make use of it. My family lives so far in Ukraine and use this Zoom calls will be amazing. We will have so much fun.
I would use the extra space for more immerse gaming environment. In the working environment, it will go:
1 screen for emails, 1 screen for web browser and 1 screen for all other programs.
Skype, email, internet browsing
A triple monitor setup would be sweet. I usually need two screens for work, a third screen would allow me to more productive (in doing some online shopping!).
Phew. This set up is just a beauty. I can’t even imagine how great this would be for work (imagine having a full screen Zoom meeting, email in another screen, and documents for easy sharing in another), but also for gaming. Something like WoW would look just OUTRAGEOUS in this.
I’d use three 27-inch screens in front of Me playing risk of rain 2
This will be an amazing gaming setup for me
I remember when my wife got her first laptop and I stole her 19″ monitor to put beside my equally inferior 19″ monitor. I had to move on from that set up but I always loved having multiple displays.
This will be an amazing gaming setup.
As well as using the monitor set-up to be a terrible parent and spend hours gaming while my two sons in their 20’s looked on, green with envy, I might also use it to write for work on one screen, carry out research on a second, and edit photos / create web graphics on the third.
I am doing a crazy amount of photo books right now and I would love to have this set-up to use one screen for my photo collection, one screen for the photo book program and one screen for my email.
One for email, one for music/video, and one for browsing
This would be amazing for working from home, games, watching movies, everything! Love the bezel free kit. Seamless screens make it amazing! Like one big panoramic view.
I’ll need more space for setup!
As an architecture student, multiple screen is amazing. One for CADing, one for referencing material, and one for messaging/video calls.
This is just perfect for my family. We can check emails on one screen, watch movies or play games on the other.
This would be amazing for gaming…all three monitors for gaming of course!
Your review made the set up seem simple, although I would probably still need some help. I would set up the three screens for social media, emails and gaming. Hubby would probably want the three screens dedicated to gaming. Now to find a large space to fit this baby. Thanks for the review and contest too.
Music Production! One minute everything gets cluttered and constantly swapping between different windows creates an extremely slow work flow!
Emails, recipes (written out) and tasty videos! Who knows maybe I’d get into gaming lol I could see that happening 🙂
I will setup this for online work from home – great for current times!, use one monitor for email and chats, the other monitor for video conference and third for actual files that are being worked on while being shared
This would be great for some extreme multitasking! I’d have Word open on one and YouTube on another… With one more to spare!
if im gaming, i’d try to use all 3. Otherwise, word/excel on one screen, 3d cad program on another and last one for music/youtube background noise
I will have one monitor setup for e-mail, VOIP app, and messaging app, and the other two can be used to run my core applications and to conduct virtual meetings from.
Very cool
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