Pimp Your Screens
By Chad A. Johnson · February 16, 2009
Now that you have 2 (or more) monitors, it’s time to customize your system. Here are a few resources to give you extra functionality and ways to personalize your multiple monitor system.
Utilities
Want the taskbar to extend across all screens? Want to display different wallpapers on each monitor or one large image across both screens? These and other features may require additional software. Here are a few utilities to get more control over your multiple monitor system.
UltraMon ($39.95)
Complete dual monitor utility that I currently use. The most feature rich of the dual monitor control programs. Features include:
- Wallpaper support
- Extension of the task bar to all monitors
- Additional buttons and menu choices for moving, throwing and sizing windows
- Shortcuts to open programs in specific locations
- Highly customizable
MultiMon (Free or $28 for Pro)
Dual monitor utility with 2 levels of functionality. A free version extends the taskbar across all monitors, adds a move to window button and a few other features. The pro version includes more customization and window management capabilities.
Display Fusion (Free)
Dual screen wallpaper utility with Flickr integration.
Wallpapers
The right image can really make your dual monitor system pop. These have to be very large and panoramic photos. Not really something that you will find in your My Pictures folder.
Here are some wonderful resources for stunning images that fit perfectly on a dual monitor computer.
Custom Stands
The real downside of a dual monitor system is the added desk space taken up. Solve this problem with a multi-monitor stand. Available in configurations holding 2 or more monitors, these space saving devices can mount to a wall, furniture or simply stand on your desktop. ErgoTron and Planar are leading manufacturers of multiple monitor stands.
Comments
7 Responses to “Pimp Your Screens”Share your thoughts...
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I think Digitalblasphemy.com has some of the best backgrounds around. I just wanted to give him a shout out. There are several that are free and a membership to the site is very reasonable. Check him out.
I really like UltraMon over MultiMon; I think it just “runs” a bit better than MultiMon.
Coolllllllllllll one . i like it !!!!!!!1
Ben,
Thanks for the heads up on Digitalblasphemy.com. I have become a junkie for good wallpapers.
Chris,
Glad to hear that Ultramon is a better choice over Multimon. Reggie, NikNik and I all run it and enjoy the functionality it provides.
Am experiencing a minor bug since going to a 64-bit platform, but that may be due to some other issue. I think I am due for a reformat, just don’t have the time or patience right now.
Great tip!
Almost anything can be pimped nowadays.
See also: http://pimpeverything.com
Dual + monitors is a must have for any power user or netizen alike.
i have been using dual monitors since MS ie 4.01 update where dual monitor support was addended to the core WIN95 OS Stack.. later in subsequent OS’s and due mostly to hardware support multi monitor usage became the norm around here..
if you sit in front of AUTOCAD, PHOTOSHOP, are a research or media junky then you NEED i say NEED as many monitors as you can AFFORD and YOUR PC or MAC will allow.
think each monitor is like having an entire extra desk or LIVE VIEW on any APP you deem important enough to be HEADSUP all the time.
cheers.
ed…/