well, i have dual screen and a laptop.
i can code in one screen, look up information on the other. (i.e. directly compare stuff without having to alt-tab stuff). it's not lazy, it's the same as getting a bigger desk for working on if you have lots of papers? you're essentially doubling the amount of workspace.
i then have msn and email on the laptop, and connect it via synergy, so it acts like part of the same computer.
if it was just a gimmick, then so many people wouldn't be doing it. you can see examples of it in many industries as well. musical producers tend to have dual monitors, and people working in finance have bloomin loads.
large widescreen tft's do appear to be taking the place of multiple monitors, but even then people just keep on getting two of them.
so essentially, it all boils down to the type of person you are (i.e the way you work). most people who try dual monitors would never go back to one, some people don't find them useful at all.
here's my old setup, not really how i normally have it but don't have a current pic. i normall have laptop to the left, then the two monitors at the same height as the laptop screen.
http://pinkegobox.umcus.org/img/PC050355.JPG
edit: i should also say that most the time if all i'm doing is chatting and surfing, then i'll just be using my laptop on it's own sat on the sofa!
