MaximumPC 2004 04

T

here’s no denying that the

DoubleSight monitor attracts

attention. With its paper-

thin profile and sweeping expanse

of dual-LCD action atop a slim,

unobtrusive pivoting pedestal, the

display draws approving looks and

comments from just about every

passerby. But eye-catching though

it may be, we don’t think this is a

monitor we’d want to hang with

on a regular basis.

We really wanted to like

DoubleSight’s “two-in-one”

approach. It actually seemed per-

fect for our purposes. To create this

magazine, we use both Macs and

PCs—for InDesign page layout and

everyday computing, respectively.

By connecting both a Mac and a

PC to the DoubleSight monitor, we

could view displays from both

computers simultaneously. The

monitor also let us duplicate the

display of either computer on both

screens. (By default, both screens

serve as a single desktop.) All these

actions can be performed by sim-

ply pressing a button on the moni-

tor’s frame. There’s no need to

enter a software dialog box to

reconfigure the displays’ output.

Sounds impressive, but we were

rudely awakened when we real-

ized the DoubleSight is equipped

with only VGA connectors. If we’re

going to spend good money on a

flat-panel, we expect to find DVI

support for full digital imaging free

of the video noise created by ana-

log conversion.

Furthermore, while we appreci-

ate the monitor’s relative light

weight, easy assembly, and wall-

mounting option, its silver-paint-

ed plastic trappings left us unim-

pressed. To make matters worse,

you’ll need a third-party solution

(e.g., a phone book) to elevate the

screens, which don’t slide up and

down. The unit does tilt forward

because the displays

comprise a single contiguous

unit, any turning or tilting

is applied across the board.

That’s right, it’s impossible

to adjust the angle of just a

single screen, and having the two

screens slightly angled in toward

each other—as many dual-display

owners are wont to do—is simply

out of the question. A hinged

mid-section would have made

more sense. And it would have

allowed users to adjust for the

glare that appears at the far ends

of the displays’ plane. As it is, a 1-

inch-thick divider already disrupts

the displays’ continuity, so why

not make the split functional?

Call us spoiled, but we also

think the meager 15-inch diagonal

viewing area per screen throws a

damper on the benefits of a dual-

display setup. We felt cramped and

inconvenienced whenever we

worked in just one screen. But, of

course, two larger screens probably

would’ve meant a prohibitively

expensive price tag.

We used DisplayMate’s LCD tests

( http://www.displaymate.com ) to evaluate

the monitors’ capacity for gray-

scale reproduction, and both

screens performed admirably at

their default Auto settings. Even at

the lightest and darkest ends of the

gray-scale spectrum, we were able

to discern extremely minute grada-

tions in values. But we also discov-

ered something else when running

identical content side by side: Our

two monitors have distinctly dif-

ferent color casts—one blue, the

other yellow. The color differences

are slight, mind you, and

DisplayMate tests are designed to

reveal qualities you might not oth-

erwise notice. But isn’t the point

of the DoubleSight for two moni-

tors to act as one?! Font reproduc-

tion wasn’t super crisp, but even a

serifed font was easily readable at

9-point. The native resolution is

1024x768, and the pixel pitch is

0.297mm—standard specs for a

15-inch LCD.

The most obvious value of the

DoubleSight monitor is that it offers

two LCD screens in a sleek, compact

package. But that which makes the

display unique also makes it a nui-

sance. It’s so streamlined that it sac-

rifices some of the practicalities that

would make it truly useful. For

approximately the same price we

could purchase two LCDs and some

much needed flexibility.

—KATHERINE STEVENSON

We just wish the single base

that came with this setup was

more attractive—and more

functional.

Space-saving design, nice color and gray-scale

reproduction, convenient monitor-toggling.

DOUBLE SCOOP

DOUBLE CHIN

The lack of a hinged center presents problems

with glare and restricts usability.

$800, http://www.doublesight.com

MAXIMUMPC VERDICT 6

Reviews

DoubleSight 15”

LCD Monitor

It’s worthy of a double-take, but does it warrant

space on your desk?

DoubleSight monitor attracts

thin profile and sweeping expanse

unobtrusive pivoting pedestal, the

display draws approving looks and

passerby. But eye-catching though

and back (about

20 degrees) and

swivel side to

side (more than

45 degrees), but

because the displays

Two monitors sharing a single

base is a beautiful thing.

It’s worthy of a double-take, but does it warrant

 MAXIMUMPC APRIL 2004

26.5”

11.25“