How is your dual monitor desktop setup?

[edmicman]

Those out there that have a dual monitor setup with a laptop and an external LCD - how is your desktop laid out? I've got a new Thinkpad, and an external 19"er which I'm using as the primary monitor, but I don't feel like I'm getting the best ergnomic use out of the setup. The LCD is on a stand, and I'm using a mouse and external keyboard. The laptop is to the right of the main monitor and sort of behind it, but it feels like it's too far away. But the mouse is in front of the laptop, so I can't really move the laptop closer.

I'd use the laptop as the main monitor, and the LCD as the secondary, and that would probably give more room for the mouse and for the monitors to be closer together. But I prefer the external keyboard for lots of typing during the day, and the laptop's resolution is higher than I'd prefer during the day. Maybe. I've got to think about that I guess.....but with the external keyboard, the laptop still seems to be further away than I would like if it were right in front of me.

So how do you do it? Any suggestions?

 

[So]

I have two desktop LCDs so I don't have such problems.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

We run all laptops and 2nd LCDs.

Generally the setup is laptop in front of you, about 2 feet back, keyboard in front of that. Then the LCD to the right. Both screens the same distance back. I'll take a pic in a bit. They are almost all like this.

 

[edmicman]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
We run all laptops and 2nd LCDs.

Generally the setup is laptop in front of you, about 2 feet back, keyboard in front of that. Then the LCD to the right. Both screens the same distance back. I'll take a pic in a bit. They are almost all like this.

Yeah, that's what I'm leaning towards I guess. It's just that with this setup, the screen is further back than what I'd prefer. Man, I must be getting old....stupid 1400x1050 resolution...

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Pic

Luckily the laptop is only 1024x768 So not hard to read from a distance

These were bought before I came here and now I just buy Latitudes and get the docking station/stand so folks can raise the laptop up and bring it closer to them. But this works fine for me.

 

[postmortemIA]

I'm running laptop's keyboard, and 17" LCD right of it. laptop res=1680x1050, LCD res=1280x1024. This is nice combo, because 1050-1024 is almost exactly height of a taskbar.