Modern desks feature side-by-side displays. But I am for one ready for a change. This made me think about stacking monitors instead. It’s a lot harder to set up, but then, I came across these dual monitors that were initially launched on Kickstarter. Is this the solution I’d always been looking for?
I was pleasantly surprised by how much my workflow improved after using these dual 24-inch monitors for a few weeks.
Why stacking is better
The desk is large and the space required to arrange monitors side by side is considerable. I avoided this problem by using a secondary display that was mounted on an arm. It is difficult to set up, and it’s also awkward to adjust. The Geminos occupies the same space as a 24 inch monitor and doubles my screen.
Multiple monitors may cause neck turning. Vertical stacking can correct an ergonomic mistake that occurs when I stare too long at the secondary monitor.
The Geminos allows me to glance down and gather more information, or read a message in chat without interfering with my work on the top screen. Vertical monitors make it easier for me to see.
Most monitors are almost twice as large as they are tall. Dragging a document or window to the next screen can be a difficult task, as it is possible that you will drop the file too early. The Geminos’ stacked screens show the same amount of information in a more accessible arrangement.
Evolutionary factors could also be at work. When out on a trail, you must be aware of the terrain at every moment, and what’s directly in front of you is more important than something that’s off to the side.
What goes where?
You might think it would be difficult to understand the new vertical orientation. In practice, I intuitively arranged windows as if I’d been using stacked screens all along.
I’ve used a stack of vertical monitors in the past. NexPad, a portable screen with magnetic mount that fits above my MacBook Air’s built-in display, is a fantastic option. I work from home, and my laptop rarely ventures on a road trip, but it’s great to have the option to snap an extra screen onto a MacBook to expand the desktop.
With the Geminos, I’ve used stacked dual screens daily for the last couple of weeks. I consistently place messaging apps at the bottom so they’re physically closer, but out of my primary view. The lower screen is also where I do my research in the browser. A quick glance will refresh my memory and fill in any facts. On the top screen I am most productive, as I write and work on images. The height is ideal for long computer sessions without neck strain.
Tilt up, touch, and raise your hand
Geminos maker Mobile Pixels didn’t just stack one monitor on top of another. Mobile Pixels reinvented dual display design. The Geminos is able to fold in half or open flat. It can also be held steady at any angle.
If I lift the handle at the top, both screens will rise. If I press it down, the screen lowers and the bottom tilts up to a similar angle. I tested the Geminos X with a touch screen on the lower display. The monitor is folded in half when it ships and can be closed like a laptop.
The touchscreen is compatible with both macOS and Windows. The touchscreen Mac is finally here. Apple didn’t plan for this, so I have to hold the control key while tapping to open a context menu, but most things work as expected. In Pixelmator Pro I can paint with my finger, select items by tapping, and open documents using double-taps. I can zoom in by pinching and scroll with a drag.
Connectivity and special features
If you install the driver there are more options. The top and bottom screens can be combined into a single screen to display a single window.
This creates the illusion of a large monitor that is vertically oriented and has a display area of 23 by 20.5″ When used in this manner, a gap divides the display. However, the small bezels and hinge mounted on the edge minimize the division. I don’t anticipate using this often, but having the option is nice.
The base is a charging station for my MacBook and also has a USB hub which provides 100 Watts of power through two USB-A ports. The Geminos can charge my iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Pixel with a USB-C Adapter.
Data can also be transferred via the USB ports. There’s a microSD/SD card reader and an Ethernet port to round out a generous variety of connectivity options for a monitor.
The top monitor comes with a webcam and microphone built in. Since the Geminos’ webcam is one disappointment, I chose my Insta360 Link. Two stereo speakers have been placed behind the monitor to muffle sound. They sound good enough for casual use, but I’d use external speakers or connect headphones to the included port to watch movies or play games.
Even though they are facing a window, the monitors seem to have a good amount of brightness. The color accuracy also seems good. The dual-1440p of the Geminos X equates 2560 x2880 pixels which is what I need. The base Geminos model has two 1080p display screens, which will be less crisp.
You can connect the bottom and top video inputs separately. I could connect my MacBook and gaming PC to two screens. You should keep your gaming monitor because the Geminos X features a refresh rate of 75Hz (60Hz on the standard model). I mostly game in VR, so a fast monitor isn’t important to me.
One cable is sufficient for both displays if your laptop or computer supports USB-C. You can connect the Geminos via its two HDMI ports. It is compatible with any device that uses the appropriate adapter.
What is the right choice for you?
Geminos X is a unique and versatile monitor that will increase your productivity. But innovation does not come cheap. For example, LG’s DualUp is a large, single vertical monitor that’s about the same size for $700. It lacks the folding, tilting flexibility of the Geminos monitor, and there isn’t a touchscreen option.
Mobile Pixels is selling the Geminos for $870 right now, a big discount off the manufacturer’s price of $1,383. I expect it to sell for around $1,000 in other outlets, since that’s the retail price listed on Kickstarter.
The Geminos X touchscreen is out of stock but was advertised on Kickstarter at $1,300.
You may find it difficult to justify a purchase if your computer is used for light browsing and work. Gamers might want monitors with higher refresh rates, and they may also prefer widescreen effects when placing monitors together. Every person will have their own criteria when choosing a monitor.
Geminos, or GeminosX, could be an effective solution if, like me, you organize and multitask across screens with your monitors, sometimes using multiple computers. This has completely revolutionized my workflow.
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