Many people, both personally and professionally use dual monitors when computing. This concept has been around since the 90s and is becoming more commonly used. There is; however, a new approach to this concept that could make some lives easier or at least less cluttered.

Samsung has released a dual monitor set that has a 22″ monitor along with an attachable 7″ monitor – the SyncMaster 2263DX. This is a great setup for those who like the concept of dual monitoring. It is especially beneficial for individuals whom have limited desk space, and cannot fit two full sized monitors on their desk. The 7″ monitor is perfect for secondary applications like instant messaging, while the 22″ monitor is ideal for running your standard applications.

These monitors, with their shiny black coating, and beveled edges, will add a bit of elegance to any setting. The 22″ monitor has a response time of 5ms, contrast ration of 1000:1, and a resolution of 1680 x 1050. All of which is pretty standard for monitors today. To connect the 22″ to your computer, you will need to connect not only via the DVI, HDMI, or VGA port, but with the USB 2.0 port as well.

The 7″ monitor is not quite as glorified as the 22″, but that is to be expected considering it is considerably smaller. This monitor has a 400:1 contrast ration, 800 x 480 resolution, and a response time of 30ms. Considering major applications will not run on this monitor, these numbers should be sufficient.

The smaller monitor can be attached to the right or left hand side of the 22″ monitor, or even on the top. Attach your 7-inch monitor via an arm that pivots and swivels. Meaning you can rotate the secondary monitor to nearly any position you desire. Additionally, the 7″ monitor can be adjusted to feature either landscape or portrait layout.

The dual monitoring experience, that the SyncMaster 2263DX offers, is phenomenal. However, it does not stop with pure efficiency and spaciousness. The smaller monitor can actually be used as a secondary portable monitor for a laptop, or even a standalone unit on your desk. You do not have to use it as an attachment to the 22-inch monitor that it comes with.

The Samsung SyncMaster 2263DX offers telecommunications benefits as well as dual monitoring. There is a 3.0M webcam, 1.5W down firing speakers, and a microphone integrated directly into the larger monitor. It is the perfect set up for videoconferencing.

This unit sells for around $550. While this is a bit pricey compared to a standard 22-inch monitor, there is additional functionality and convenience in the SyncMaster 2263DX.

Purchasing Samsungs SyncMaster 2263DX all comes down to personal preference, space, and budget. The system offers some great functionality, along with convenience and efficiency. If you are going for dual monitoring only, two monitors would be the cheaper option. If you are looking for new and convenient with an added bonus of technology, then the SyncMaster 2263DX is the answer.