Who The Hell Is Kathy Pop?

The use of two monitors, known as dual monitoring, has been around for over a decade. The idea, behind having two monitors, is to allow individuals to accomplish their work in a more efficient productive manner. One of the downfalls is the amount of space that two decent sized monitors will take up on any given desk.

Samsung has recently released the SyncMaster 2263DX, which just might solve some of the special issues of dual monitoring. This system is a combination of a 22″ and 7″ monitor. The 7-inch monitor actually attaches to the 22″ monitor. This gives consumers two monitors that only take up the space of one, with the added bonus of using the small unit for secondary applications only (applications like web browsing, video, or instant messaging).

The larger monitor is the primary monitor. With a 1680 x 1050 resolution, 1000:1 contrast ration, and 5ms response time, this monitor is no different from a standard standalone unit. The one difference is that you must use a USB 2.0 port along with a DVI, HDMI, or VGA connection to connect the monitor to your computer.

The smaller monitor, expectedly, has a much lower resolution and contrast ration along with a slower response time. (Res: 800 x 480, Con: 400:1, RT: 30ms) For a secondary monitor that supports secondary applications, these numbers are definitely sufficient for productivity.

Through the use of a swivel arm, the smaller monitor is attached to the larger one on either the left or right side, or even on the top. The smaller unit is flexible in its position as users can rotate the unit to their desired position. The unit can also be manipulated to stay in either landscape or portrait layout.

An added bonus, to this setup, is the fact that the 7-inch monitor can be used as a standalone unit. This counteracts the purpose of the design, but could be useful in some situations. For example, it can be used as a secondary laptop monitor. For those who travel or need portability, this is a great-added benefit.

The Syncmaster 2263DX not only offers a functional dual monitoring setup for small offices, but provides a solid platform for teleconferencing as well. There is a 3.0M webcam, 1.5W down firing speakers, and a microphone – all built right into the monitor itself. The secondary monitor, the 7-inch one, is perfect for the video aspect of a teleconference.

The SyncMaster 2263DX can usually be found for around $550. This is a bit pricey for a 22″ monitor, most of which can be purchased for around $200. You could easily buy two 22″ monitors for less than you could purchase the new 2263DX. However, the 2263DX offers spacious efficiency.

It all comes down to what is most important to you. If you are considering dual monitoring then you obviously, need a solution that will help you to work more productively. The big question is space and budget. If you are willing to spend the extra dough, for the latest technology, then this is a great buy. If space is not an issue and budget is, then waiting for the price to drop might be the best alternative (or purchase two separate monitors).