Synergistic Computing

I mentioned my new multi-computer/multi-monitor set-up using Synergy software a few days ago. Here are a couple more examples of people using Synergy in a similar way.



Triple Monitor Plus TV Synergy

The TV is connected to my Xbox 360 and my MacBook pro to play movies. When the Mac is not using the TV it uses the 19" TFT. The other 19" TFT is connected to my server running Windows XP. Both systems/screens share the same mouse and keyboard using Synergy Virtual KVM.

Multi-Monitor Home

I work from home as a freelance web developer and programmer. This is the current iteration of my workspace, 3 monitors, 3 computers, Windows & Ubuntu platforms. It's all tied together with a KVM, UltraMon and Synergy. I chose a wireless keyboard & mouse and also mounted the speakers up off of the desk to keep it a little less cluttered. When I need the desk surface for writing, the keyboard and mouse hide away under the monitor shelf.

Read more about Synergy here.

If you have an old computer laying around somewhere that you're not currently using, this might be a good time to break it out and use it to control an additional monitor. I currently have my ThinkPad hooked up to my 24-inch HP monitor, with my Sony VAIO controlled through Synergy. I alternatively use my Sony as a TV (frees up the processing power on my Thinkpad), a clock, an e-mail reader, for running web applications, etc. Within the last couple of weeks, I've gone from a single monitor laptop to a three monitor system. I love it!

This is one more application netbooks would be quite useful for (particularly ones like this) -- adding an additional screen for running web applications on to your existing computer set-up. (Although I wouldn't buy a netbook solely for this purpose. As a reader points out, you'd be better off just buying a USB monitor or a USB graphics card instead.)