What Are Dual-Screen Laptops?

Dual-screen laptops are portable computers that feature two screens either positioned next to each other or one on top of the other. Both screens are usually the same size, and one screen may or may not be a touchscreen. These laptops usually have high-end graphics cards and let the user mirror the material on one screen or use both screens as a single workspace. Dual-screen laptops are especially useful for users who need a lot of workspace, use many applications at the same time or need the portability that an external monitor cannot offer.

Dual-screen laptops can have the two screens positioned in different ways. Some laptops use screens of equal size that are directly next to one another. This type of dual-screen laptop typically has a traditional laptop keyboard below the two screens. Another type of dual-screen laptop involves a traditional laptop screen on top and a touchscreen where the keyboard otherwise would be. This layout makes the laptop more portable, but the lack of a keyboard can be an issue if one does not like using a touchscreen.

They provide much more available workspace than a laptop with a single screen, so dual-screen laptops are useful for both home and business users. Home users have more space in which to arrange their applications and are able to use one screen for web-browsing tasks and another for other programs, if desired. People in technical professions, including graphic designers, web designers and computer programmers, have more space in which to test their websites, graphics or programs and can view multiple programs across both screens. The portability of dual-screen laptops also makes it easier to work on projects when one is away from the office or home.

Although dual-screen laptops have many benefits, they also have some disadvantages over traditional laptops. The extra screen requires more desk space and adds weight to the machine, which can make the computer more cumbersome when traveling and when using the device in compact spaces. The extra screen also adds to the total cost of the machine; it may be cheaper in some cases to purchase a regular laptop that is compatible with an external display. The additional battery power required by the two screens means that using a dual-screen laptop might not be a good solution if one needs to use the device in an area with no electrical outlets.