Managing More with Multiple Displays

by Adam G. Slote

Six years ago, when I made the jump from paper to digital client files, I had a single 17-inch monitor in the middle of my desk. Of the many challenges to my paperless office, the most pressing was juggling the range of documents displayed on my computer desktop as I typed away at a legal argument. Since I needed to refer to multiple documents at the same time, I would have to either switch back and forth between windows to view them on the computer, or resort to printing out my files.

My solution to this problem was to invest in multiple monitors. I started with two 19-inch monitors rotated to portrait mode (vertical), so that each screen displayed an entire page. With two monitors, I could see two full-page documents at the same time, eliminating the need for print-outs. When I provided the same setup for my law clerk, I found that both of us were instantly more productive: It's much easier to cut and paste text between two documents that are displayed side-by-side as entire pages - for example, reading a case and pasting language into a brief.

Two is good, three is better
Dual monitors made my paperless office functional, but triple monitors made work a pleasure. A year ago I upgraded to three 19-inch displays floating above my desk on Workrite Ergonomics monitor arms (workriteergo.com). These let you swivel monitors to virtually any position, which means I can draft a reply brief on one screen while reviewing the opposition brief on a second, and doing online research on the third. And when I'm working with just two documents, I can use the third monitor to easily access contacts, calendars, billing software, and email.

Arms and the 'mon
Two of my monitors are mounted on a dual arm, but the third is mounted on an independent extendable arm, which swings across my desk for clients to view. Using the UltraMon utility from Realtime Soft (realtimesoft.com), I can mirror one of my other monitors for the client as we edit a document together.

It's easy to add a second display if your computer has two monitor ports (usually one is digital and the other is analog). If it doesn't have two ports, you may have to add or replace your video card with one that supports two digital monitors.

To run three monitors, my firm ordered computers with two graphics cards that each could support two digital displays. That setup requires a bit more technical proficiency.

Getting sideways
If you want to enjoy full-size documents without having to scroll up and down the page, you will need software that lets you rotate the monitors from landscape mode (wide) to portrait mode. Monitors that rotate usually come with such software. Some video cards come with drivers that support rotation - our firm uses one by Nvidia. Not all displays rotate on their own stands, but any display can be mounted on an arm that will rotate.

Note that there is a difference between widescreen and standard-format monitors. In portrait mode, 19-inch widescreen monitors are too narrow. I recommend using standard format or a 20-inch widescreen.

All in proportion
Why not just use one huge monitor instead? Well, I find that my 24-inch widescreen monitor is less comfortable for working with side-by-side documents. (Perhaps 27 is the magic number?)

True, one large screen will work on any computer - no need for complex configuration of multiple monitors. But for people who wear glasses, the downside is that when your progressive lenses are focused on the center of the screen, text on the sides may start looking small. With three monitors, you can arrange them so the outer monitors angle toward you, for equal viewing distance to each.

Once you set up multiple monitors, you'll understand that the more you see, the more you can do.

Adam G. Slote is a partner in Slote & Links, a San Francisco law firm.

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