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How to Buy a Dual-Monitor Setup

How to · Tech

How to Buy a Dual-Monitor Setup

Get a dual-monitor setup for your home office during the August back-to-school sales without wrecking your monthly cash flow.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $600 before anything else
Across the 0% window $33.33/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $600 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

You want a dual-monitor setup that actually makes working from home less painful and lasts you through a good few years of desk duty. Buying the right gear once beats replacing cheap screens twelve months from now because the colors washed out or the stand wobbled.

August is prime time for back-to-school sales, which means retailers drop prices on monitors to clear out inventory. Look for last year's monitor models right now since they get deep discounts when the newer versions drop, and they usually offer the exact same daily performance for a lot less cash.

Remember that the intro window is a deadline, not free money, and any remaining balance at the end of the 18 months will start accruing standard interest.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your screens

    Decide if you want matching monitors or one main screen paired with a secondary vertical display. Look at 24-inch or 27-inch models with IPS panels for clear text and wide viewing angles. Check that your laptop or desktop actually has enough ports to plug them both in.

  2. 02

    Time the August sales

    Shop the back-to-school and late-summer clearance events happening right now. Prices on tech bundles often hit their lowest points before the holiday rush starts in November. Compare prices across a few major retailers so you do not get stuck paying full MSRP.

  3. 03

    Map out the math

    Take your total estimated cost of about $600 and figure out what you can comfortably pay each month. Spreading $600 across 18 months comes out to $33.33 per month. Make sure that specific amount fits your regular monthly budget before you check out.

  4. 04

    Use your card terms

    If you use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, you get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. That lets you break up the cost over time without paying extra in interest. Just keep track of the calendar so you know when that window closes.

  5. 05

    Get the mount and cables

    Factor in the cost of a dual-monitor desk mount and any extra HDMI or DisplayPort cables you might need. Built-in monitor stands take up too much desk space, and buying the mount and cables upfront saves you a second shipping fee later.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Should I get curved or flat monitors for a dual setup?

Flat monitors line up next to each other much cleaner than curved ones do. Curved screens look cool, but they leave awkward gaps at the edges when you push two of them together on a standard desk.

Do I need a monitor arm or can I use the stands?

Factory stands take up a ton of desk real estate and limit how you adjust your screens. A dual-monitor arm frees up space underneath and lets you line up the heights perfectly.

What resolution should I look for?

Stick with 1080p for 24-inch monitors or 1440p if you are stepping up to 27-inch screens. Anything higher on a standard office desk usually makes text too small to read without scaling.

Will my laptop support two external monitors?

Check your laptop specs and ports before buying anything. Some budget laptops or older MacBooks only support a single external display unless you use a specialized docking station.