The one monitor experiment
I’m fascinated by this whole minimalism concept. I don’t practice it very well, and I don’t feel terrible about that. I have to admit, though, that all of those pictures of barren desktops and minimal computer systems actually appeal to me. That was the first motivation for this experiment.
For the record, I know that the concept of minimalism doesn’t eschew necessary peripherals, but the desktop photos I’ve appreciated most did not have multiple monitors (or cables coming out of every available port). Since the day it was feasible, I’ve had two monitors on every computer I’ve owned. I know quite well how to make use of the extra space efficiently. I have trouble getting along without it. However, my last three computers have been laptops, and I get so used to using them with external monitors and peripherals that I have trouble using them as mobile computers. This frustrates me, and became the second motivation for this experiment.
The goal
What I wanted to do was see if I could get along with a single display for at least one month. I had previously swapped out my fancy keyboards for Apple’s bluetooth aluminum keyboard, which I have fallen in love with. The fact that its layout matches my MacBook Pro was a big deal, and once I got good with it, mobile computing became that much less awkward (obvious tip: the Function key [fn] is your friend). Next, I had discovered that the Magic Trackpad completely relieved my RSI. I was having wrist pain to the point where I could’t even work, and since getting the Magic Trackpad, I have had none. That’s a little off-topic, though. The point is that I had already “minimized” my peripherals, I just hadn’t done away with the second display.
The test
I got a HengeDock and set it up behind my primary display. This allowed me to hide my MacBook Pro from view and still have access to all of its ports. It worked pretty well, with a 24″ display, Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad. I did it for 6 weeks and thought I was getting used to it, for the most part.
The fail
The thing that bugged me the most was using CSSEdit, along with other programs where I want room to edit and room to preview at full size. Constantly swapping foreground windows is annoying to me. Annoying enough, in fact, that the experiment failed. I added a 23″ display to my setup using the newest Sewell USB-to-DVI adapter. It felt like, I don’t know, trying a drug after you’ve been clean long enough to forget about it. I was instantly at home with the situation, and once again wondering how I had lived without it. I did soon decide that two 20″+ monitors was more than needed, so I went back to my original configuration: my MBP on a stand next to my 23″ monitor. I plugged back in my Huey, my Drobo and LaCie Rugged clone drive, my USB speakers, my Oxygen 49 keyboard, my iPad and iPhone and a host of other peripherals. I feel at home now.
I did get better at using my laptop as a laptop, a very beneficial side effect, but I don’t think I will ever again skip the chance to plug in an additional display.
Oh, and despite my surname, I am actually more Irish than Dutch, so happy St. Patrick’s day to you!
I had the same experience recently. I ran my iMac without its second monitor for awhile and found that it was really annoying.
On the other hand, I can use my MBAir without a second monitor most times without any problem, probably because I’ve never gotten into the habit of hooking one up to it, although I do have AirDisplay and occasionally use my iPad as a 2nd monitor for it. (Coincidentally enough, I was using it yesterday to write in nvALT and show the preview on the iPad :-)
I have a MacBook Air showing up in a week, and I plan to take the same approach. I set up Mac Pro with two displays yesterday as a permanent home station, and will let the MacBook Air be a portable work machine, with a little help from DropBox and an external drive. I’m waiting to see how fast the Air is under heavier loads, but for 90% of what I do I think it’s going to be perfect.
I dig the iPad as nvALT preview idea. We gotta get that new version out, we just have to work out a few details!
What stand do you use?
Is that question for me, or TJ? And for MBP or iPad? I use the Griffin Elevator for my laptop, and a Twelve South BookArc for my iPad (at least when I’m at home… I use a Twelve South Compass or a PadFoot when I’m out and about).
Interesting that the Magic Trackpad has helped your RSI. I tried using one for a week and it made the pain ten times worse. Also there is some kind of disconnect in my brain when using it attached to a MBP and when it’s sitting on a desk. My accuracy plummets.
One other thing. How do you deal with the vasty different monitor sizes when using your MBP as a second display? Every time I try to move the mouse pointer between them, I have to remember OS X requires you to be in the right portion of the smaller monitor size or it just rams itself up against the side of the bigger display. That has single handedly kept me in one monitor land.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can vouch for the fact that I currently use no mice and have no pain in my wrist. It’s been amazing for me.
I position my laptop next to my monitor with the top edges aligned. Then I go into the Displays pane of System Preferences and align the monitor in the Arrangement tab as it exists on my physical desktop. That’s all the visual connection I’ve needed, the mouse jumps screen with no visual glitches, one smooth motion.
For Ron or anyone else experiencing RSI sitting at a computer all day doing mostly typing, I have to say that if you are adventurous look into the Dvorak keyboard layout. I mostly type, and have for many years. Awhile back in my late 30’s I had chronic pain from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I switched to the Dvorak keyboard layout and the pain left. About 4 years ago I switched back to Qwerty, mostly because I had to use other computers that weren’t customizable to my whims, and the pain has not returned.
I am a touch typist and felt like I was losing my mind for the 2–3 weeks it took to get used to the new layout but it was well worth it. I hope this helps someone else. Jim — Key West, FL
Ah, I think that’s the key then. Having them arranged identically on the desk as they are in the preference pane for Displays. I’ll have to research a suitable stand to make it happen. Rain Design’s mStand isn’t adjustable.
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