# 8.2.1 Recommended monitor setup for the pro shop counter # Recommended monitor setup for the pro shop counter 8.2.1 hardware Spectre Cloud runs entirely in a web browser — there is no software to install and no specific hardware requirement beyond a supported device and an internet connection. That said, the physical setup of the screen or screens at your pro shop counter has a meaningful impact on how efficiently you can use the app day to day. This page covers the monitor configurations that work best for pro shop environments, from a single screen at the counter to a dedicated drill press display, and the practical considerations that go into each. ## 🖥️ Minimum Screen Requirements Spectre Cloud is designed for a minimum screen size of **8 inches**. Below this size, the spec sheet layout and measurement fields become too compressed to use comfortably in a fitting workflow. Within that constraint, the app adapts responsively to the screen available — but the larger the working area, the less scrolling and navigation is required to access all the fields on a spec sheet in a single view. - ✅ **8" tablet** — functional minimum. Suitable for mobile use at the press or for shops with very limited counter space. - ✅ **10–12" tablet** — comfortable for all workflows. Most of the spec sheet is visible without scrolling on a 10" screen in landscape orientation. - ✅ **Desktop monitor or laptop screen (21"–27")** — the most comfortable working size for the counter. A full spec sheet, the bowler list, and the Oval Calculator output are all visible simultaneously without scrolling. - ✅ **Widescreen or ultrawide monitor (29"+)** — allows two-panel layouts, side-by-side spec sheet comparison, or simultaneous bowler profile and spec sheet views without switching tabs. ## 🏢 Single-Screen Counter Setup For most solo operators and small shops, a single screen at the counter is the standard configuration. The key decisions are screen size, orientation, and positioning relative to the bowler and the fitting work area. ### Screen size and type - ✅ A **desktop monitor of 24" or larger** is the most comfortable single-screen setup. At this size, the full spec sheet is visible in one view and the bowler's profile and spec sheet history are accessible without leaving the current screen. - ✅ A **laptop** works well if the counter space is limited — a 13"–15" laptop is easier to position flexibly than a full desktop setup. - ✅ A **tablet on a stand** is a practical option in compact counter environments, particularly where the counter doubles as a service area and a fixed monitor is impractical. A 10"–12" tablet in landscape orientation covers all primary Spectre Cloud workflows. ### Positioning relative to the bowler - ✅ Position the screen so **you can see it clearly** while taking measurements — a screen you have to lean past the bowler to read slows the fitting down. - ✅ For fitting conversations, angle the screen so the **bowler can see it too** when relevant — the 3D Layout view and the Arsenal are more engaging when the bowler can see the screen rather than having results described to them. - ✅ Avoid positioning the screen directly behind the bowler — it forces you to look past them constantly, which is awkward for both parties during a fitting. ## 🛠️ Two-Screen Counter Setup Shops with a dedicated counter area that separates the fitting conversation from the drill press benefit from a two-screen setup — one screen facing the operator at the counter, and a second at the drill press. This is the configuration most commonly used by medium and larger shops. ### Counter screen Used for bowler intake, spec sheet creation, fitting data entry, and the 3D Layout view. Positioned to be readable by both the operator and the bowler. - ✅ A 24"–27" desktop monitor or a mounted display at counter height works well here. - ✅ A second input device — a keyboard and mouse on a pull-out shelf — allows comfortable data entry without hunching over a laptop. ### Drill press screen Used to display the completed spec sheet at the press. This screen is a reference display — the driller reads from it rather than entering data. The primary requirements are readability from a short distance and resistance to the workshop environment. - ✅ A **tablet on an adjustable arm or stand** is the most practical drill press display — it can be positioned at the exact height and angle needed and moved out of the way when not in use. - ✅ A **small monitor or secondary laptop screen** works if the press has a dedicated surface nearby. - ✅ A 10"–13" screen is sufficient at the press — the spec sheet at this size is readable from normal working distance without needing to approach the screen closely. - ✅ Use a **screen protector** on any tablet used at the drill press — drill dust and coverstock particles are hard on unprotected glass. - ❌ Do not position the drill press screen so close to the press that vibration or debris affect it during operation — mount it on a stable surface at least 30cm from the press head. ## 📱 Tablet-Only Setup For solo operators, mobile shops, or shops where a full desktop setup is not practical, a single tablet handles the entire Spectre Cloud workflow. This configuration is fully supported and widely used. - ✅ A **10"–12" tablet in landscape orientation** is the recommended tablet configuration for solo operation — large enough to use the full spec sheet comfortably, portable enough to carry between counter and press. - ✅ Use a **quality case with a built-in stand** — the ability to prop the tablet at a reading angle at both the counter and the press without a separate accessory is a significant convenience in a busy fitting session. - ✅ **iPad, Android tablet, or Windows tablet** — all are supported. Choose the platform that aligns with your other shop technology for the most seamless experience (e.g., an iPad if you use other Apple devices in the shop). - ✅ Connect a **Bluetooth keyboard** for data entry if you find touchscreen typing slow during measurement entry — a compact wireless keyboard adds minimal footprint to the counter and significantly speeds up spec sheet completion. ## 🌐 Connectivity Considerations Spectre Cloud requires an active internet connection for full functionality. Monitor setup decisions should account for where and how the device connects: - ✅ **Wired ethernet** for desktop or laptop counter setups — more reliable than Wi-Fi in a workshop environment where wireless interference from equipment can cause connection drops. - ✅ **Wi-Fi** for tablets and laptops — ensure the access point covers both the counter and the drill press area. A connection that works at the counter but drops at the press is a workflow interruption. - ✅ **Position the Wi-Fi access point** for coverage of the working area, not just the reception area — if the router is at the front of the shop and the drill press is at the back, a range extender or additional access point may be needed. - ✅ **Mobile data backup** — if your shop's internet goes down during a fitting session, a phone with a mobile data connection can run Spectre Cloud as a hotspot while the primary connection is restored. ## 💡 Lighting and Glare Workshop lighting — typically bright overhead fluorescent or LED strips — creates screen glare that makes displays difficult to read during a fitting. A few practical adjustments resolve most glare problems: - ✅ **Matte screen protectors** on tablets significantly reduce workshop glare without affecting readability. - ✅ **Anti-glare desktop monitors** are worth specifying when purchasing a counter display for a pro shop — they cost marginally more than glossy alternatives and pay back the difference many times over in comfort. - ✅ **Adjust screen brightness** to match the ambient light level — a screen that is comfortable at home may be too dim under bright workshop lighting. - ✅ **Angle the screen** away from direct overhead light sources if possible — a small tilt adjustment is often enough to eliminate the worst glare without compromising viewing angle. ## 📊 Summary — Recommended Setups by Shop Type
Shop typeRecommended setupKey consideration
Solo operator, compact space10–12" tablet on a stand at the counter, carried to the pressQuality case with built-in stand; screen protector; Bluetooth keyboard optional
Solo operator, dedicated counter24" desktop monitor or laptop at the counter; tablet at the pressWired connection at counter preferred; tablet on adjustable arm at press
Multi-staff shopDesktop monitor at counter; tablet or secondary monitor at press; each staff member logs in with their own credentialsIndividual user accounts for each staff member; ensure Wi-Fi covers the full workshop area
Multi-location shopPer-location counter and press setup as above; all locations access the same Spectre Cloud accountConsistent device standards across locations; consider centralised device management if locations are managed by the same owner
Mobile or event pro shopSingle tablet; mobile data connection as primary or backup internetFully charged battery or portable power bank; screen protector essential in event environments
### Related Sections - 01.3 — Minimum requirements and supported devices - 01.4 — Supported browsers and operating systems - 8.1.5 — Managing staff access and user accounts - 8.2.2 — Adding and removing plugins - 09.x — Troubleshooting: connectivity and device issues **✨ Tip:** If you are setting up Spectre Cloud on a new device for the first time, spend ten minutes configuring the browser before a fitting session — log in, confirm the layout displays correctly, check that the 3D Layout view renders if you use Arsenal Plus, and run through a test spec sheet from start to finish. Discovering a display or connectivity issue during a live fitting is avoidable with a short pre-use check.