How to Improve Your Dual Monitor Setup
Globally, the average person spends over six hours in front of a screen every day. For office-based workers, that figure is likely to be much higher. ¹
When we’re juggling multiple projects and shifting priorities at work, the technology we use to fulfill our roles effectively must work for us rather than against us.
This is especially important for people who need a dual monitor setup to conduct their roles. Whether you’re new to working with a dual monitor desk setup or simply want to improve your current double monitor setup, you’ll find everything you need to know here.
What Is A Dual Monitor Setup?
Before we look at how we can get the most out of a dual monitor setup, let’s explore what this kind of desk setup entails.
A dual monitor setup refers to the use of two monitors connected to the same computer or laptop. This extends your screen and allows you to have different content displayed simultaneously on each monitor.
If your role requires you to have several applications, documents, or websites open at the same time, this monitor setup allows you to seamlessly move between tasks. ²
Why Is Monitor Setup So Important?
Whether you work with one screen or two, a lot depends on your monitor setup. If your screen isn’t at the right height, it can wreak havoc with your posture, causing you to hunch over. After a while, this can lead to pain in the back, neck, and shoulders.
Around 80% of the world’s population will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, and inefficient office furniture that doesn’t support our bodies properly is often a contributing factor. ³
How your monitor is set up can also greatly impact your eyes. A recent study revealed digital eye strain, caused by excessive screen time, affects around 66% of the world’s population. ⁴
Eye strain can occur if your screens are at an improper viewing distance and angle. This can cause headaches, issues with the eyes like itching and soreness, and problems with concentration. ⁵
Now you understand how important it is to have an efficient monitor setup, let’s look at how you can improve your two-screen desk setup.
1. Consider Your Posture
When you’re looking at improving your dual monitor setup, posture should be your utmost priority.
Safeguarding your posture will not only make your workplace more comfortable, but it will prevent issues like neck, shoulder, and back pain which can impact your everyday life.
Ergonomic tools that help you keep your back, neck, and shoulders in a neutral position by preventing slouching and hunching will help you work comfortably and safely.
Read our blog for more guidance on safeguarding your posture: 5 Ergonomic Laptop Setup Tips to Enhance Productivity: Ergonomics in the Workplace
2. Protect Your Eyes
When you use two screens, ensuring they’re at eye level is also important when it comes to protecting your eyes and vision.
Try positioning your main screen directly in front of you (roughly an arm’s length away) at eye level and ensure your second screen is set to the same height. ⁶
Keep in mind the position of your dual-screen setup will largely depend on how you use your two screens.
For example, if one monitor is your primary screen, this should be positioned centrally with the second screen offset at 30°.
On the other hand, if you use both screens equally, they should be positioned directly in front of you. To reduce head rotation, which can cause tension and pain in the neck and shoulders, try angling your screens inward.
3. Invest In Separate Devices
When you’re using a laptop with a built-in keyboard or mouse, this can be detrimental to your wrists and eyes, especially with a dual monitor setup.
Separate mice and keyboards give you the freedom to choose where they sit in relation to your screens and you, allowing you to align your wrists and forearms at a 90-degree perpendicular angle with your elbow joint.
Devices like our Ondo desk mount give you the option of plugging your devices directly into it, so you don't have to worry about running out of USB ports.
4. Make It Work For You
Some of us like to sit as we work. Others like to stand. Ideally, you should be doing both throughout the working day. Whichever way you choose to work, make sure your dual monitor setup is configured to accommodate you. Your monitor setup should fit you - not the other way around.
Often the change in posture from sitting to standing (and vice versa) requires a slight screen adjustment to ensure optimal screen positioning is maintained. Yet again, a monitor arm can assist with this.
Tools like monitor arms and sit-stand solutions can help you create a workspace tailored to you, whether you stand, sit, or switch it up throughout the day.
Improve Your Dual Monitor Setup Now
At Colebrook Bosson Saunders, we’re passionate about helping people transform their workspaces. We make it our mission to provide quality ergonomic products that improve productivity and safeguard your overall well-being.
Check out our full catalog of products now, and please reach out to us if you have any questions - we’re more than happy to help.
References:
1. https://www.meltwater.com/en/global-digital-trends
2. https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/glossary/dual-monitor-buying-guide/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35047714/
4. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-28750-6
5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eyestrain/symptoms-causes/syc-20372397