For many technically minded people, a computer is only as good as one can make it. Be it more memory, better cooling, better battery capacity, or even a nicer looking case, computers are wonderfully customizable machines. This does not stop with just the main unit of the computer—the various components attached have a variety of manners in which they may be combined, customized, and arranged. For many, the easiest sign that one is putting a computer through its full paces is the use of dual monitors. In the past, this has been an expensive proposition, requiring expensive and specialized video cards and a great deal of space for the sizable CRT monitors. With the advent of lower cost computer components (if the computer does not ship with the innate ability to use two monitors, a usable card can be obtained for under fifty dollars) and the more compact LCD monitors, the ability to use a dual monitor setup is within the reach of most. Arranging the monitors, however, can be problematic. In terms of width, the LCD monitors still take up as much space as their bulkier cousins, with individual stands making arrangement even more difficult. Thankfully, dual monitor stands can help to alleviate this problem.
Dual monitor stands are exactly what they sound like – a stand for a pair of monitors. To visualize the stand properly, one can look to a variety of flat screen television mounts—a bracketed neck attached to a base, though in this case the bracketed neck is used to hold two monitors. Usually made out of either very sturdy plastic or metal, the stands can balance the generally lightweight monitors while avoiding the cluttered appearance of a desk with two separate LCD screens and their individual stands. A dual LCD monitor stand is relatively easy to use—as most modern monitors feature a removable stand, one merely has to fit the brackets (generally slid in to the pre-existing space on the monitor) in the place of the original stand. An LCD dual monitor stand should allow for better viewing of each monitor by featuring a stand arm that can be adjusted by a user as well as the ability to set the monitors at a better viewing height than a standard monitor stand.
For those worrying particularly about space, a dual monitor stand can be a blessing. By raising the monitors and eliminating the footprint of a standard stand, a great deal of desk or table space can be reclaimed. Most stands also make cord management a bit easier, as the raised elements allows for better access (and thus management) for the cords running from the monitors to the computer itself. While the stand cannot perform any miracles in terms of total space used, there are two options on the market that can allow a user to decide exactly how the monitors are placed.
The standard is the horizontal dual monitor stand. These stands feature side-by-side monitors, slightly raised and generally angled for the best possible view. These stands are best for those who want a traditional stretched or side-by-side view and have the space for a pair of side-by-side monitors. As one may guess, the amount of space taken is directly proportional to the monitors chosen, and there are dual monitor stands to accommodate even the largest of monitors. As previously mentioned, these stands do eliminate some of the horizontal footprint by combining the monitor stands, but the horizontal width is still significant.
The other option, a bit more rare, is the vertical dual monitor stand. These stands stack each monitor atop the other instead of side to side, and are a great option for those that wish to use a dual monitor setup but do not have the necessary horizontal space. These vertical stands are not without drawback, especially as they require a vertical split between the monitors (a feat that is a bit harder for a computer novice to set up than the traditional dual monitor view) and getting used to seeing one image above the other can be difficult for those trained only to look forward when using a computer. However, these dual stands are absolute necessities for those that want to use a two by two setup, and the purchase of a pair of vertical stand can easily allow for future modifications of one’s setup.
Dual monitor usage is growing as LCD monitor costs drop and the ease of use grows. The purchase of a dual monitor stand helps to keep multi-monitor use organized and maximizes the available desk space for users. This solution allows for more efficient computer usage and, perhaps just as importantly, allows for stylish displays of the monitors themselves. If one wishes to show off dual monitors in their best light, or merely wants to make use of the monitors as easily as possible, a dual monitor stand is a great accessory.