tabs are pretty cool, but I like split and a set of macros I use for easily switching. The main reason I prefer split screen to tabs is that I often want to see code in the other buffer while I work.

Open up a file, :split a new one, and then try these:

map <C-j> <C-w>j80<C-w>+ " up one window, maximized map <C-k> <C-w>k80<C-w>+ " down one window, maximized map <C-h> 80<C-w>+ " maximize current window map <C-i> <C-w>= " all windows equal height