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 recently released the SyncMaster 2263DX, which just might solve some of the special issues of dual monitoring. This system is a combination of a 22″ and 7″ monitor. The 7-inch monitor actually attaches to the 22″ monitor. This gives consumers two monitors that only take up the space of one, with the added bonus of using the small unit for secondary applications only (applications like web browsing, video, or instant messaging).

The larger monitor is the primary monitor. With a 1680 x 1050 resolution, 1000:1 contrast ration, and 5ms response time, this monitor is no different from a standard standalone unit. The one difference is that you must use a USB 2.0 port along with a DVI, HDMI, or VGA connection to connect the monitor to your computer.

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.

An added bonus, to this setup, is the fact that the 7-inch monitor can be used as a standalone unit. This counteracts the purpose of the design, but could be useful in some situations. For example, it can be used as a secondary laptop monitor. For those who travel or need portability, this is a great-added benefit.

With the integration of a webcam, speakers, and microphone, the Samsung SyncMaster 2263DX can also be used as a telecommunication platform. There is no need to install additional hardware of software; it is ready to be used out-of-the-box. (The 7-inch monitor is great for the video portion of web conferencing.)

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.

The bottom line is whether you are looking for space saver technology or budget friendly answers. If you have the space, purchasing two monitors is obviously the way to go. If your desk space is slim, you may just have to spend the extra cash. If you are into toys, and just need to have the latest and greatest, the Samsung SyncMaster 2263DX is a must have.