Workspace Update
I just setup a new Hanns.G 27.5″ monitor and love it. I know have 4 LCD displays connected to my primary work/gaming machine that is a custom build. On the left is a Toshiba Qosmio G-15 that is running Ubuntu. I share my mouse and keyboard from my desktop using Synergy in order to control the laptop more efficiently. The laptop acts as my communications (AIM, Skype, Mumble, etc) and server updating system. I use the primary display for websurfing, gaming, and audio/video editing. The other displays are usually showing the status of my servers or monitoring the status of the network.
A lot of people tell me that the use of so many monitors is overkill, and to a certain extent they may be correct. In my opinion the use of the extra screen space is (mostly) justified. Not having to alt-tab through open applications or switching workspaces saves me lots of time. If the status of a server changes I can see it imidieatly. I can watch a live feed from my ZoneMinder security system without having to stop working on something else. It is also extremely usefull when writing papers for my college english class as I can have multiple versions of a paper open, along with a web browser for researching.
My desktop (that I’ve named “Apex”) is an impressive gaming (and HD video editing) machine. The specs are as follows:
CPU: Intel Q6600 overclocked to 3.00GHz
RAM: 8GB DDR2 800 (833 MHz)
OS Hard Drive 1: 64GB SSD Windows XP Pro 64 bit
OS Hard Drive 2: 500GB Ubuntu 8.10 64 bit
Video: Sapphire ATI Radeon 4850×2 HD (4xDVI output)
Monitors: Hanns.G 27.7″ (1920×1200); Three 17in LCDs (1280×1028 each)
Case: Thermaltake Armor 8003
Network: Gigabit
Sound: Altec Lansing 5.1 Surround