Use 2 monitors for learning and work
Tags: productivity, programming, learning
Published: 2022-04-24 07:57:00

_The cover image shows me using 1st monitor to watch youtube tutorial while coding on 2nd._

Since I bought an extra monitor to plug into my laptop 3 years ago, I can’t imagine myself doing anything serious without it.

**Even if you are a poor: student, career switcher, beginner in job, with lack of money, I highly recommend you to buy even a cheap second hand monitor as soon as possible, because it will increase your efficiency at times.** 

## TOC

- [Use cases](#use-cases)
- [Hardware setup](#hardware-setup)
- [Operational System setup](#operational-system-setup)
- [Conclusion](#conclusion)

## Use cases 

As a JavaScript full-stack developer I always learn new things (Frontend, Backend, Mobile, Desktop, Chrome extensions, Scrapping, Cloud deployment etc.)

Whether it’s a paid job or a side project, the working process is generally the same. And **to feel comfortable I need to keep opened in full screen 2 apps at the same time**. 

1. I watch a video tutorial to get basic ideas about the new subject, and repeat all steps after the tutor 
    -   1st monitor – youtube video
    -   2nd monitor – code editor

2. I  read documentation/book and take notes in mindmap for deep understanding of material. 
    -   1st monitor – documentation site
    -   2nd monitor – mindmap editor
 
3. I code
    -   1st monitor – result of coding (web page or mobile app emulator)
    -   2nd monitor – code editor 

When you have only 1 monitor, you should either:

- switch between full-screen windows/apps or
- split screen between apps 

In both cases, blinking full screen apps or managing **lack of width in part screen opened apps will take a lot of your cognitive energy, and you get tired much faster. Also, you can harm your eyes**. 

So two monitors is the solution. **Simultaneously opened, two full-screen apps give you a big advantage to manage information, absorb new knowledge and do your work with fewer efforts.** 

Example, that's how I mindmaped NextJS docs using 2 monitors: 

![2 monitors. On the 1st one opened NextJS docs, on the 2nd one opened mindmap editing tool](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/aki07yg4yaar1tk5x80l.png)

## Hardware setup 

![Prefer vertical setup over horizontal](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/a11tmb4qyejf2osl1izd.png) 

If you google something like “multiple monitors” – and look at images, you get the wrong idea about their setup, because lots of images are about Horizontal setup, which will kill your neck in one day. Instead, **you should choose a vertical setup – so you can switch your eyes from one monitor to another without straining your neck**. 

You don’t need for that a tricky gadget holder – any jar or box with proper size is suitable. I use an Ikea's Pyssla jar as a stand for monitor for years, and it is pretty good: 

![an Ikea's Pyssla jar as a stand for monitor](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/5mq8stz3mma2ykrsti0t.png) 
 

## Operational System setup

Just as google search, OS will push you to horizontal setup. However, you can change positioning in desktop settings. That relative position of 1 to 2 affects on how mouse cursor will be moving between monitors. **It is good when OS settings follow along with real life monitors’ position, so you will work intuitively.** 

![gif animation: how you can set up extra monitor position related to main monitor](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/drlmubkw40sb4bixr20h.gif)
  
## Conclusion 

Maybe you have noticed on the first picture with me: my monitor is old, with defect of two colored vertical lines. And my laptop is old without a key ";/:". So I even ashamed to show them to you. But together they are a cool tool for study and work. I prefer such couple over MacBook that I have.