Computer with 2 sreens - PC & Apple?

[csondagar]

I am wondering if it is possible to have two screens attached to a computer: one for normal use and the other for graphics use. The screens would be my current CRT (Dell 19") and a new one Apple Cinema (loved to have that one).

1. Is it possible to have PC Monitor and an Apple computer attached to Dell Dimension 8200 with Nvidia Gforce2 MX graphics card?

2. What do I need to make this work? Any adaptors, additional graphics cards, etc?

3. Has anyone tried this? If so what is your experience?

[kwang0429]

I am wondering if it is possible to have two screens attached to a computer: one for normal use and the other for graphics use. The screens would be my current CRT (Dell 19") and a new one Apple Cinema (loved to have that one).

1. Is it possible to have PC Monitor and an Apple computer attached to Dell Dimension 8200 with Nvidia Gforce2 MX graphics card?

2. What do I need to make this work? Any adaptors, additional graphics cards, etc?

3. Has anyone tried this? If so what is your experience?

all you need is a video card that supports dual monitor and an adaptor for the MAC monitor.

[paulohnine]

Im not sure if that card supports dual monitors, if not youll need another one. The nice thing about using a Mac is that all of their machines support dual monitors out of the box.

[smashie]

Along a similar line http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/1970/01/01/matrox_dual_head_2go/1.html

May be of use to some people

[Ronald S. Jr.]

My dimension 5100 that I was recently trying to sell (with no luck) came out of the box with FOUR, yes FOUR monitor support. ATI Radeon x850SE Hyper Memory HD.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

...Granted, I only use two. However, it was a nice thought.

[jdbyrnes]

all you need is a video card that supports dual monitor and an adaptor for the MAC monitor.

As long as your Apple Cinema Display is the current version, you won't need an adaptor. The previous models (the plastic ones) came with an ADC connector, the new ones (the brushed aluminum ones) come with a standard DVI connector.

What you will need is a video card with one VGA port for the CRT and one DVI port the the ACD, or a video card with two DVI ports and an adaptor from DVI to VGA for the CRT monitor.

Sorry about the alphabet soup, not much I can do about it.

[jjonsalt]

I have been using dual screen for several years. I use the "extended desktop" arrangement. The purpose for me is to be able to put/store Photo Shop's tools on one monitor and use the full screen of the other as my workspace.

[reewik]

I have been using dual screen for several years. I use the "extended desktop" arrangement. The purpose for me is to be able to put/store Photo Shop's tools on one monitor and use the full screen of the other as my workspace.

Can I see a picture of how this works as I am considering this option. It seems like it might be easier.

[jjonsalt]

sure

[reewik]

Thanks....Looks like something I may want to tackle... Makes for easier adjustments heh?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

You don't even need a nice monitor for the second one if that's all you'll do with it.

[jjonsalt]

You don't even need a nice monitor for the second one if that's all you'll do with it.

Well, it's nice to get the colors right and synced with the main screen.

[rklepper]

sure

Wow, that looks like it would make life a lot simpler.

[rklepper]

Or at least one small part of life.

[jjonsalt]

Wow, that looks like it would make life a lot simpler.

It does for me. I started using dual monitors several years ago because of how it enhanced the PhotoShop or any like program. But through the years I have found many uses for it even with the internet. Just be sure to set up as "extended desktop".

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Well, it's nice to get the colors right and synced with the main screen.

I meant for those people that might want to have a small second monitor simply to put their palletes on. That's what I did with this computer I'm on now. I have my nice calibrated monitor on the right, and my "not quite so nice" touchscreen monitor on the left (since I'm left handed). That way I can just touch the tool I want, and then continue with my photo on the other monitor. You're right, Doc. Makes things much less stressful. I remember having it all on one screen. I would be working with the lasso, trying to select a part of a shot, and suddenly I get near the edge of the shot, but the layers pallete is blocking it!!! Welp, you guessed it. 10 minutes wasted. I thought I was in heaven when I got my second monitor.

[tjburns]

wow, i never thought of the touchscreen idea. what model touch screen do u use?

[drews578]

Here is a good article to read considering your decision at hand.

http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2400&p=8

If you can live without the refined look of the apple product, the dell may be the way to go. Especially if you get a deal using a coupon or something from dell.

Read the article for the details, but the two models mentioned use the same screen from phillips but use different backlights. Definitely take time to read the details. The reviewers sided with the dell as the "winner".

Duel screen is awesome! Go for it!

Warm Regards,
Drew

[Zepher]

remember, once you go dual screen, it makes it harder to use a PC with only one.
here is my little setup,
http://www.transamws6.com/pics/pc/net3.jpg

this is an older picture, doesn't show the new mouse and keyboard that I have.

[reewik]

Yes but if it makes it easier, that will be awsome... Like how your match... that is my goal but mine is two years old... have to find one...

[Zepher]

yes, makes it much easier to work on the computer.
keeps me from having to toggle back and forth between programs.
I also have my drives and the drive space info over on teh second screen so I can glance at it and know what drive has how much space as well as the amount of memory available.

I use a program called Samurize which allows you to custom make the way you display whatever PC info you want.
http://www.transamws6.com/pics/pc/sam-new.jpg

[reewik]

OK Zepher....

"Pentium4 3.65Ghz, 2GB Ram, 1280GB Storage, Dual 19" Monitors, WinXP Pro SP2"

That is a nutz system.....

I thought I was doing will to bump my hd up to a total of 280gb... geeze.... I do want to get go from 1 gm to 2gb ram though... as I assume this helps with the photo stuff?

[jjonsalt]

Just 4 months ago I got a new Dell XPS 400. Dual Core processor, 4GB DDR2 533Mhs SDRAM and RAID configuration. PhotoShop really moves along faster than with what I had before.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Zepher's system is a bit more than mine in some ways, a bit less in others. I have a 1.6TB HD, a mere 3.0Ghz Dual Core, 4 gigs of RAM, just XP Home, a 19" editing monitor and to answer tjburns' question, a 15" Elo Entuitive touchscreen. The Elo runs about $700.

[reewik]

Lets see em....

[reewik]

well of course sir....

[StealthLude]

yes... I use two Dell 20" 16:9 widescreens with my MAC in photoshop. It makes editing and side by side comparisons VERY good. All i need to do now is buy some monitor color calibration software and im set.

Right now im working on a pano with the screens using photostitch.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

My touchscreen looks like your run of the mill monitor. I don't feel like getting out the camera and setting up to take a simple shot of a monitor, not to mention that I won't have a memory card until tomorrow (explained in another thread). I will, however, post a screenshot of the control panel for it, in case you're concerned about me lying. ;-)

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[b16pwrdej1]

It does for me. I started using dual monitors several years ago because of how it enhanced the PhotoShop or any like program. But through the years I have found many uses for it even with the internet. Just be sure to set up as "extended desktop".

How do you set dual monitors up like yours with the "extended desktop"? Anytime I hook up dual monitors to my computer they just display the same thing.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I just use the standard extended desktop setup, but I remember there being an option to click something like "attached" that would make it appear to be one (sharing a wallpaper). If you're saying that yours displays the EXACT same thing (mouse action, etc.), then that is referred to as a dual display clone. Also a setting, accessible right from the desktop in the right-click menu. I do that when I'm showing a client shots, so that we don't have to cramp in front of the same screen.

[reewik]

My touchscreen looks like your run of the mill monitor. I don't feel like getting out the camera and setting up to take a simple shot of a monitor, not to mention that I won't have a memory card until tomorrow (explained in another thread). I will, however, post a screenshot of the control panel for it, in case you're concerned about me lying. ;-)

50250

50251

Lying about what/ I just wanted to see what the touch screen looks like ... Looks pretty cool.... I guess I could have googled it...

[Ronald S. Jr.]

It actually isn't the one in the control panel. I'll find a shot of it and post it in a sec.

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[b16pwrdej1]

There is a check box that says "Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor"; is this the one you are talking about?

[Jon]

Yep.

[b16pwrdej1]

Thanks alot guys. I will definately try that out the next time I go home from college.

[jjonsalt]

There is a check box that says "Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor"; is this the one you are talking about?

Yes

[Zepher]

OK Zepher....

"Pentium4 3.65Ghz, 2GB Ram, 1280GB Storage, Dual 19" Monitors, WinXP Pro SP2"

That is a nutz system.....

I thought I was doing will to bump my hd up to a total of 280gb... geeze.... I do want to get go from 1 gm to 2gb ram though... as I assume this helps with the photo stuff?

The memory helps out, but the reason I upped my memory to 2 gigs was so that I could get Battlefield 2 to play smoother. And the massive amounts of drive space (actually, there is almost 1.7TB of total storage when you count the 3 network drives, the 2 250's and the 160) I have are to store movies. I couldn't fit anymore drives into the fileserver so I started putting them into my main machine.

I aslo use a program called UltraMon to allow the taskbar to span both screens and it shows the tabs of the windows that are open on eac respective monitor.