Creating New Offices
Recently I was visiting a family member’s house, and as I was leaving, I caught a glimpse of his home office. It was a beautiful high-tech computer setup and I was intrigued. He is a writer and podcaster who works from home. He had multiple monitors, a microphone, stands for his laptop and iPad, and other neat accessories arranged on the adjustable standing desk.
When I returned home, I told Grandpa he needed to update his own home office, a modest update to improve functionality. Grandpa was using a single 24” monitor, and would toggle between using his work and personal laptops.
I wanted to order him two 27” monitors and some new things. Grandpa liked the idea but wanted to research and analyze first. I like to research also, but not for two weeks. He drives me crazy. I was frustrated because I wanted to add extra monitors to my computer/sewing room also. Once he had new monitors, I could take his old 24” and buy another monitor making my computer setup have three screens. I use my computer for my web page, YouTube (family videos), photography, and other things like online shopping! Having multiple screens would make it easier to multi-task.
After researching and asking our family member a lot of questions, he encouraged us to visit Micro Center. It’s across town but he said it’s a great place to shop. Oh, my goodness, Micro Center is like a candy store for computers and electronics. Grandpa purchased two 27” monitors and the accessories to connect everything. However, with his two larger monitors, he no longer had room for the printer on his desk. So I ordered a new printer stand that sits next to his desk. Now Grandpa has three viewable screens with the setup of two new monitors plus a laptop screen.
While Grandpa was researching on his own, I started researching how to connect three monitors on YouTube. After completing his office, I started arranging my office update. First, I ordered a new 24” HP monitor (on sale for $100.00) to go along with my HP computer and Grandpa’s old Dell monitor. The three monitor designs don’t match, but it’s okay with me. They fit on my desk perfectly. When picking out a monitor, make sure you get an appropriate size, and you are not looking up hurting your neck. The $100 HP screen is not the best quality for viewing photos, but I use the other monitors for that.
When I initially connected the three monitors only two monitors worked. After chatting with Best Buy Geek Squad online, the support rep detected my problem was the computer only had one HDMI output. I would need an adapter for two additional monitors. However the Geek guy didn’t know what kind of adapter I needed. Oh, my goodness, I had so much trouble determining the right one. So, I connected to Micro Center’s online tech support and within 5 minutes they told me that I needed a “USB 3.0 to Dual Multi-Monitor Adapter”. They were so helpful! I found it on online at my nearby Best Buy, and picked it up an hour later. It worked and I was a happy camper. I would have loved to have given Micro Center my business by buying the adapter from them, but it was too far to drive across town.
Once everything was connected, the next task was to organize the cable cords and arrange the accessories. I got a Logitech Lift Mouse. The mouse is more comfortable for my right hand. I had a problem locating the arrow cursor among my three new screens.
So I turned back to YouTube to figure out how to enlarge my arrow cursor. Now, I have a large purple arrow. I was surprised there are so many options for the computer cursor. YouTube videos helped me to organize the three screens in the correct order (left to right scrolling), connect the sound on the main monitor, and how to change others settings. The only thing it lacked was helping me find the right adapter.
Perhaps you only use one screen at a time and you’re satisfied with that. But if you work on multiple applications or various websites simultaneously, working on multiple screens is great. It even makes paying bills faster when you can have multiple windows open at the same time across multiple screens.
Lastly, I would like to share the story behind the white desk. Years ago, I went to GoodWill to find a desk I could refurbish. I found this desk for $25 and guessed it was about 30 years old. It was a decent wood desk that needed a new paint job and new pulls. I was excited. I would soon have a new white desk for my sewing room.
I painted the entire desk with a fresh coat of white paint. However, I didn’t think to take the doors off to paint separately. So when it dried, the doors were sealed shut! Boy, I made a mess. I had to use a knife to pry the doors open to break the seals which damaged the doors. Also, I had a hard time finding the right size pulls, so I super glued the pulls on. In the end, it all worked out.
