Multi Monitor and Computer with Synergy

I've been a long time advocate of dual monitor setups. It started at my last job where all developers we given premium setups with dual monitors. This was all 6 years ago so it was quite an investment in the development staff. After a day at work with that productive setup I had to go home to a single monitor... OMG it was the worst thing ever.

It was not long before I had it setup at home. The advantages of a dual monitor setup has been widely documented, but what I have recently graduated to is 3 monitors on 2 computers. YES you heard that right 3 monitors on 2 computers.

There is one keyboard and one mouse for these two computers. No KVM, no switch, no Raritan. It is all possible with Synergy, and I don't mean something Steve Jobs says. Synergy allows you to use a single keyboard and mouse across multiple computers... all over IP.

Here's my basic setup:

1. Sony Vaio Laptop (Main Computer) - All tools, portable to work at random coffee shops, hooks up to 22" wide screen when at home, Synergy Client

2. Old Desktop (Secondary Computer) - Some tools, runs VMs, stays at home, connected to dyndns, main keyboard and mouse, one 19" LCD, Synergy Server

With the hook up to Synergy, I don't even have to use the laptop keyboard or even hook up a keyboard or mouse to it... all happens magically over Synergy. I make use of this setup by separating long term work functions and distraction prone functions. I provide a little more detail in my last post.