Introduction
In the contemporary digital workspace, multi-monitor setups are no longer a luxury but a norm. With the increasing need to multitask and the demand for expansive digital real estate, it’s not uncommon to see professionals sporting dual or even triple monitor arrangements. This brings about the need for software that can effectively manage these setups. Enter DisplayFusion, a tool that promises to make your multi-monitor life much easier. I took it upon myself to experience this tool firsthand for a month, and here’s what I found.
Key Features of the Software
Straight out of the gate, DisplayFusion impressed with a multitude of features aimed at making multi-monitor management a breeze:
- Taskbars: DisplayFusion offers multi-monitor taskbars which allow for an organized look on all screens. No longer did I have to scramble between screens, searching for the application I needed.
- Wallpapers: I could easily set wallpapers for each monitor separately or span a single, large image across them all.
- Monitor Splitting: This feature was a godsend! It allowed me to split my monitor into multiple ‘virtual’ monitors with their own taskbars, wallpapers, and even screen savers.
- HotKeys: A plethora of customizable hotkeys made managing windows, applications, and general monitor settings extremely efficient.
Technical Features
Delving deeper, I found that DisplayFusion wasn’t just about aesthetics or window management. It had some technical chops too:
- Monitor Configuration: The ability to save and load different monitor configurations was handy, especially when I connected my laptop to various monitor setups at home and work.
- Windows Management: DisplayFusion offers precise window management, letting users define how and where applications open.
- Scripting: For the tech-savvy, DisplayFusion provides a scripting feature, allowing for tailored functions beyond the standard offerings.
The Important and the Not-so-important
It’s crucial to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to features, and DisplayFusion had its share of both.
Important:
- Monitor Profiles: Being able to switch between monitor configurations saved me ample setup time.
- Monitor Splitting: This turned out to be my favorite feature, giving me a multi-monitor experience even on a single screen.
Not-so-important:
- Screen Saver: While it’s great to have a screen saver for each monitor, it felt like a cosmetic addition more than a functional one.
- Triggers: The tool allows setting up triggers for various events, like window focusing or desktop unlocking. It seemed powerful but not particularly useful in my daily tasks.
Conclusions
After a month with DisplayFusion, I can say it’s a robust tool for multi-monitor setups. Its features, especially monitor splitting and profiles, drastically enhanced my workflow. However, it’s not without its quirks. Some features felt like they were added just for the sake of it, and not every user might find them beneficial. It’s a tool best suited for power users who wish to extract maximum productivity from their multi-monitor setups. Casual users might find themselves overwhelmed.
While DisplayFusion is an asset for multi-monitor users, like any other software, it requires a period of acclimatization. My advice? Dive deep, customize it to fit your needs, and you’ll soon wonder how you ever managed without it.