Many working individuals find that a dual or triple monitor setup is better than using a single screen. While you get a bigger usable surface, side-by-side displays have a large footprint.
Multiple monitors are also inconvenient for transport. It makes them unsuitable for those who prefer to enjoy portability when it comes to locations where they can do their work. Fortunately, there’s a solution that secures a large working surface while minimizing footprint, and that’s a stacked monitor setup.
The word stacked refers to one screen on top of the other. Brands like Geminos Stacked Monitors offer an ergonomic foldable design that secures simple transport. These screens feature HDMI and USB connectivity and come with adjustable viewing angles and height.
Can a stacked monitor setup really help your productivity? Here’s what the science has to say and why you should consider this option!
Stacked Monitors Enhance Productivity Up to 42%
Jon Peddie Research has conducted three surveys aimed at using multiple monitors and their productivity. According to the results, there’s no doubt that a two-monitor setup can make you more productive in engineering, designing, and word-based tasks.
JPR revealed that productivity increases around 42% when using at least two monitors. Those are the results from the last survey in 2017. The percentage remained the same compared to the previous research from 2012 but dropped a bit compared to the first survey from 2002 (it was 46% then).
More Users Are Adapting This Concept Over the Years
Another interesting information is that more users adopt the multiple monitor setup over the years. The compound annual growth rate is about 10%, which is impressive. If you consider that the display size has been increasing over the years, this is an expected trend.
A decade or two ago, a 15-inch monitor was the premium option. Today, most users don’t settle without a 21-inch or larger screen. The multiple monitor concept enables more space to improve user experience while making it easier to complete different types of tasks.
How Can a Stacked Monitor Setup Improve Productivity
The most obvious advantage is a bigger operating surface. Monitors are actual working spaces for many individuals. If you have multiple screens, that means you have more room to fit any relevant information, such as apps or files. Here are some other ways how a stacked display can improve productivity and quality of work!
Decrease the Number of Window Switches
A study published by the Human Interface focused on comparing the number of window switches when using a single and double monitor setup. The results showed a considerable difference in the two categories. Users who used a dual-screen option had significantly less clicks to switch between windows. This is an important timesaver, especially in the long run. It’s particularly useful for people who regularly handle tasks that require using multiple applications.
Forget About Moving Your Head All the Time
Not all multiple monitor setups are the same. Side-by-side displays have a large working surface. But let’s say you need to frequently change the screen you look at. That will require moving your head left to right, which can lead to neck strains.
A stacked monitor setup places the additional monitor on top of the existing one. The movement you make when switching the view from one screen to another is minimal. The best stacked screens allow adjusting the angle to ensure maximum comfort when using the displays. If you feel more comfortable, you’ll do better work, which translates to enhanced productivity.
It’s a Great Choice for Virtual Meetings and Teamwork
A multiple screen setup is ideal if you have frequent meetings with clients or coworkers. You can place a video call on one screen while still having free space on the other display. That screen can serve for writing down project details or browsing relevant documents and files.
Another example is being on a meeting where you are analyzing the current project progress. If you are in charge, you can use the second screen to follow your notes and ensure you haven’t missed anything. Sharing data with your team members is also easier with multiple screens. You can use the other display to send emails or copy files to a shared drive.
Keep Your Focus at a Maximum Level and Minimize Errors
Let’s say you are using a single screen and you are in this situation. Your colleague is sending messages via the chat and you need to respond while working on an important task. Each time you stop the task to switch the windows and reply to your colleague, your focus breaks. It takes at least seconds to refocus once you return to the task.
It’s much easier to use stacked monitors instead of switching between the windows. Apart from saving time, it’ll also affect your focus less, which enhances productivity.
A stacked screen setup minimizes errors when working on different tasks. Let’s say you need to insert important study result data into your document. You remember the percentages most of the times, but occasionally, it could lead to an error, especially if you are going back and forth between windows frequently.
Copying data and checking other sources is easier and more enjoyable with stacked screens. Some surveys discovered that people make 20% fewer mistakes when using two displays. That means more accurate work and reduced number of errors to fix, which leads to better productivity.
Final Thoughts
Stacked monitors can be the perfect choice for freelancers and those who prefer working remotely. They are much easier to move around than two separate screens and their footprint is minimal. The setup can also be a great choice for in-office work, especially if you consider a significant productivity increase it secures. The cherry on top is the affordability of stacked screens, which are a long-term investment and feature excellent value for money. That makes them a smart pick for both individuals and companies!