Johannesburg, 08 Mar 2021
Most people have a second monitor on their desk so that they can keep an eye on their e-mail while working on a document, watch a YouTube video while making notes, see detail on a spreadsheet that needs to be included into a document or deal with social media notifications as they come in.
Imagine if that additional screen was actually incorporated into your laptop?
Having a laptop with a secondary screen means designers can work efficiently and productively wherever they are without having to sacrifice the second screen when they leave their work stations. Most designers have a workflow that requires using two or more programmes at the same time. Having dual screens makes it much easier for them to move back and forth between programmes. They can also chat to a client on social media while making changes to a design on the fly.
Gamers can multitask while playing a game on the other screen. They can view chats and respond to them while playing, for instance. Or even have the game across both screens, using the second screen for buttons and shortcuts.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that not having to switch back and forth between two views on a single screen is invaluable to productivity. The challenge of having that second monitor is that firstly, it can take up valuable desk real estate. Also, when the user leaves their desk, they leave the second monitor behind as it’s just not convenient to carry it everywhere.
All of this is why laptop manufacturers have developed the concept of introducing a secondary display on laptops to facilitate multitasking. Dual screen laptops have a second screen built into the laptop. The extra screen is built into the base of the laptop above the keyboard and can be used for myriad applications, allowing the user to move between windows and applications without having to move away from their primary display.
When the first dual screen laptops were released in 2019, the trackpad doubled as a small secondary display. "Attempts were made to introduce folding screens and even dual-sided screens. But incorporating the secondary screen between the primary display and the keyboard has proven most popular with users, with most recent iterations tilting the screen slightly towards users,” says Juan Mouton, ASUS Systems Country Marketing Manager.
Response has been mixed to dual screen technology. While some welcome the productivity and other gains that the technology brings, others struggle with the smaller keyboard that’s – of necessity – moved lower down on the laptop case. Other disadvantages cited include concerns about the laptop’s responsiveness being slightly slower as it has to run two screens; cooling can be an issue; the device being heavier as a result of the second screen; and – one that manufacturers can’t really control – that a second screen offers more potential for distractions.
Mouton lists the key considerations when choosing a dual screen laptop:
- Size of secondary display – it must extend as close to edge to edge as possible, this enables you to open multiple windows, leading to improved productivity and functionality.
- Panel finish – it is important to choose a matte finish screen that is anti-glare. If you have a glossy secondary screen, the room lights may reflect off a gloss panel angled towards the roof.
- Touch screen (both primary and secondary displays) – if you are working on your main panel and change something on the secondary display, you don’t want to have to pull down the cursor from the main panel. A customisable touch panel saves time and retains momentum of workflow.
- Tilting design – an ergo-lift hinge offers a more ergonomic viewing and touchscreen experience, as well as an improved cooling system and sound quality.
- Colour – look for Pantone validated, TUV certification and low blue light screens for precise colour accuracy.
Looking to the future of laptop technology, nobody can say what the next big innovation will be. “The objective should always be to innovate with purpose,” says Mouton. "The best innovation is that which brings purpose to creative thinking and makes people’s lives better in a tangible manner. That could be through efficiency, convenience, or a simple aesthetic.”
He concludes: “The future of technology in this space is grounded in a relentless pursuit to truly understand your customers and to innovate with that consumer context in mind. The best tech will deliver an edge to the consumer in their day-to-day lives. Identify the needs and you will be able to identify the approaching technology.”
Share