With remote and hybrid work becoming increasingly common, having the right technology setup is essential for maximizing your productivity.
A tablet pcs paired with an external display can take your workspace to the next level. It allows you to seamlessly move between tasks on different screens throughout your day. The immersive experience of a large display also helps you stay in a deep work “flow state” for long stretches without distractions.
Read on and explore 10 key features of combining a tablet and monitor that make this a winning setup for modern work styles.
1. Enjoy a Large, Immersive Screen for Focused Work
When you connect your tablet to an external display, you gain access to a much larger canvas for intensive focus work. Spreadsheets, documents, code, and design files that you may find cramped on a small touchscreen will breathe easy on a spacious 24-inch or larger display.
You’ll appreciate the extra screen real estate for multitasking between multiple windows and apps without constant resizing or switching screens.
2. Leverage the Portability of Your Tablet for On-the-Go Tasks
While the monitor is your home base, you’ll love having the portability of the touchscreen to complete other tasks wherever you are. Need to review a file while waiting for an appointment? Detach the touchscreen to work comfortably from the couch or even your favorite cafe. When inspiration strikes during a walk, you can quickly jot down notes or record your thoughts. The touchscreen lets you stay productive anywhere without being tied down to your desk.
3. Seamlessly Switch Between Screens for Context Shifting
Rather than having multiple disjointed devices, this two-screen setup lets you fluidly transition work between screens.
- Catch up on emails between meetings: When you have back-to-back video calls or in-person meetings, use the brief waiting periods to quickly scan through and respond to emails on your touchscreen. This prevents your inbox from piling up throughout the day.
- Brainstorm during your commute: Use travel time productively by using your touchscreen to map out ideas, plans, or next steps for projects. Commutes that would otherwise be unproductive can become idea-generation sessions.
- Incorporate on-location research: When scouting new spaces, visiting potential vendor locations, or conducting other fieldwork, take your tablet along to look up related information, photos, or make calls/emails on the spot.
- Squeeze in tasks over lunch: Rather than truly disconnecting during lunch, you can quickly return emails, and messages or even schedule meetings using your touchscreen while eating.
- Adjust schedules on the fly: Unexpected changes come up every day; leverage your touchscreen’s flexibility to quickly reschedule meetings, shift appointments or rearrange your calendar as needed, wherever you are.
- Record video messages for remote teammates: Send personal, video-recorded updates about your day, progress on projects or needs to remote colleagues with ease using just your touchscreen.
- Access reference materials anywhere: You never know when you’ll need to double-check a fact, policy or detail; keep essential references synced to your touchscreen to look up information on the go whenever inspiration strikes.
4. Customize Each Screen for Specific Task Types
With separate screens, you can optimize the tablet interface for certain activities and the display interface for others. For example, keep your touchscreen interface simple for note-taking or viewing presentations while allowing more open windows and tools on the display interface for research and document writing. Or use the touchscreen for visual work like photo editing; reserve the big screen for design files. This allows you to set up each screen according to the task at hand.
5. Enjoy Portrait Mode for Reading and Note-Taking
In addition to the versatility of separate screens, take advantage of the touchscreen’s unique ability to switch between landscape and portrait orientations. For lengthy reading sessions, portrait mode on the touchscreen gives you a tall, notebook-like view that’s less strenuous on the eyes. It’s also perfect for note-taking in meetings or class settings. The PC retains landscape for standard work, keeping your different task contexts separated cleanly across screens.
6. Sync Files Effortlessly Across Devices
With cloud storage synced between the touch screen and computer, you never have to worry about transferring files between devices. Access the latest version of a document from either screen. Make updates on one device and have them automatically show on the other through services like Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive. This seamless cross-device syncing means your work can follow you from room to room or location to location.
7. Boost Focus with Customizable Screen Layouts
Many tablets allow you to create different named screen layouts tailored to specific tasks or workflows. For example, set up dedicated layouts for writing, research, or design work that automatically open the relevant apps and documents in optimized positions. With a tap, you can instantly shift your workspace to the right configuration for what you’re doing. This saves time spent manually arranging windows and makes it effortless to switch between focused modes.
8. Enjoy Enhanced Audiovisual Experiences
Whether it’s for streaming music while working, taking video calls, or enjoying movies and shows after hours, you’ll get superior audiovisual quality by connecting your touchscreen to a large display. With bigger, higher-resolution screens and the option to pair touchscreens with external speakers or headphones, everything from content to conferencing is elevated. You may just find yourself looking forward to breaks as a fun escape from work!
9. Expand Your Viewing Angle for Collaborating
A large monitor makes it much easier to collaborate with others in person. Its widescreen real estate lets multiple people comfortably gather around to review or edit work together. When paired with screen mirroring or extending features, you can also use the display and touchscreen together for interactive virtual collaboration. Share your screen from anywhere while referencing documents or taking notes on the second screen.
10. Make the Most of Accessories for Maximum Comfort
Complete the setup by leveraging display-friendly accessories that boost both ergonomics and productivity. An adjustable monitor arm, external keyboard and mouse turn the area into a comfortable, fully functional workstation. Add a touchscreen stand to the mix for seamless switching between screens. With the right gear in place, you’ll feel energized to work all day without fatigue or discomfort.
Conclusion
Combining a tablet pc with an external monitor unlocks a whole new level of versatility, comfort and focus for modern workstyles. From seamless multi-tasking between screens to customized layouts and enhanced audiovisual experiences, this two-device setup has features that boost productivity, creativity and well-being. If you want to take your work from anywhere capabilities to the next level, a tablet-monitor combo is a winning solution.