Matrox DualHead2Go Digital SE Review

You can set up the modes of your displays in Mode Management, but you probably won’t have to mess with this much since using today’s display technology.  In our previous TripleHead2Go analog review (here), we had to tweak refresh rates and other settings, but today’s digital displays are pretty much using 60Hz standard.

This setup works great if you have two matching monitors, or monitors that have the same resolution.  If the resolution doesn’t match, then you will be forced to use the lowest common denominator.  Suppose you have two monitors, one with 1920 x 1200, and another with 1600×1050.  You will have a maximum resolution of 3200 x 1050, which will make the monitor with a higher default resolution look a little blurry, as it is not running its native pixel size.  The display would also seem “off” if the monitors differ slightly, such as mixing 1920×1200 and 1920×1080.  The key to  good experience with the DualHead2Go Digital SE is to use matching monitors with the same resolution.

Gaming

Most games are not multi-monitor aware, and those that are only allow you to configure which single display the game will run in.  Since you have one large monitor spanning two displays, you can force a game to use both displays, but it will probably not be a pleasant experience.   Many games focus the main character or cross-hair at the very center of the screen, which in this configuration would be right where your two monitors meet.  Real-time strategy gamers may find delight with the extra screen real estate, however.

Menu is snapped to first monitor rather than getting cut off

You really need three monitors to get a good multi-monitor gaming experience, such as Matrox’s TripleHead2Go provides.  The DualHead2Go Digital SE is really optimized for productivity or kiosk applications.

On the next page we list the features, then draw a conclusion…