questions → for you dual monitor people, is it still worth it?

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For you dual monitor people, is it still worth it?

I am setting up an office and I was wondering about the computer monitor(s). My last office had two 21" monitors running and it worked great for video editing. But with the prices of big screens nowadays is it worth having a dual monitor or am I better off in investing in a big screen (42"-50")? How many people are running large monitors/televisions as their primary monitor?

Thanks!

by coondogg97
asked 6 months ago

11 Answers answer

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vote-for14vote-against

2 would still be worth it, it enables you to have 2 full sreen apps running at the same time. I don't thing I would like all the height of one large screen

silverwolf72
6 months ago

vote-for8vote-against

I've seen some studies that show the ideal monitor size for distance to screen vs. resolution work out to a 24" monitor. Unless you are paying for 4K resolution monitors going bigger won't work, too many jaggies (and now you've paid more than two 24" monitors). In addition two monitors let you shift context rapidly compared to a single screen.

phunsberger
6 months ago

vote-for12vote-against

I've been using two monitors for about two years now and it is incredible. I must warn you though, once you get used to 2 monitors, it will be tough to use a computer with just one.

A big monitor (TV) around 42"-50" like you mentioned is going to be 1080p, or 1920x1080 pixels. This provides no additional screen real estate over a normal 1080p monitor of 21.5-24"+. The pixels are just bigger. Having two monitors and the extra real estate they provide almost makes it feel like you have two computers. Its so much easier to be productive when you can view more things at once. Or not productive as you can watch TV shows or movies while working on other stuff.

Go for dual monitors, a big TV isn't any different than one single monitor, the stuff on the screen is just bigger.

brad3326
6 months ago

vote-for11vote-against

I think dual monitors are essential at work (IT). Definitely can't be replaced by one big or a large TV.

meh3884
6 months ago

vote-for7vote-against

Go for 2 I used my TV as a monitor and it hurt my eyes.

caffeine_dude
6 months ago

vote-for5vote-against

Go for the quad. Completely unnecessary, but cool if you are one of those that love to multi-task.

My set up is two LCD monitors for my daily stuff (browsing, word-processing, wooting, etc.) with a separate, larger LCD TV attached for when I watch movies or TV on my comp. Works for me. Then again, my "office" is a room in my house.

I guess it depends more on how much room you have. Nothing is worse than having a big tv right next to your face. If you get two monitors, get a classy Ergotron desk stand or a wall-mount, depending on your space. It looks so much nicer when you don't have two pedestal stands.

curtisuxor
6 months ago

vote-for4vote-against

I have dual at work and own a 22" for home. I like the dual setup best because I can angle both monitors to always point at me. Where when I've had 2 documents split up on my 22" I've had trouble seeing details on the corners of each document, if that makes sense, without adjusting my seating angle a bit. "let me scoot a few inches this way to see these words"

w00tgurl
6 months ago

vote-for3vote-against

Definitely two monitors (or more), 23-25" diagonal, each 1980x1080, placed about 30 to 42" away.

Big monitors are nice, but if it is too big and too close your eyes lose focus plus you have to shift position too often. The best combination lets you concentrate on the primary application with just eye motion. The screen resolution should give you maximum detail without being too close.

I'm sure someone has done a study on the least tiring distance as well as the ideal pixel pitch vs distance. My recommendations are based on personal experience. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot_pitch)

tpscan
6 months ago

vote-for1vote-against

At work, my group opted for 27" screens on our primary machines rather than going with dual monitors (though we all have at least two or three other computers). Dual monitor machines can work but can also be a PITA.

At home, I only have one dual monitor machine and the second monitor is my TV (the TV only has a single input in use, the HDMI one from the computer). I have used dual monitor setups at times in the past, but not often.

baqui63
6 months ago

vote-for3vote-against

A TV is not a monitor.

wootbretz
6 months ago

vote-for2vote-against

For work I find it almost essential after having it for 2 years now. It reduces the amount of paper I print because I can easily look at items on the other screen without having to constantly grab my mouse and switch focus. It also is very convenient to have my e-mail open and staring me in my face instead of shrinking it and not seeing messages till I switch focus every hour or so.

For home I get by fine with just one screen. Sure there are times that more real estate could be nice but 95% of the time for home use it would just be a waste of desk space. But my home PC I use mainly for recreational use (web browsing, listen to music, watch streaming videos) and not heavy multitasking work.

raider9924
6 months ago

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