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Ask HN: Is a multiple monitor setup significant to you when writing code?

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Re: Ask HN: Is a multiple monitor setup significant to you when writing code?

#11

Post by caw »

At my previous job I had 2x 19", and that worked great because I could run my VM in one screen and everything else on the other. When I developed, I just switched to another virtual desktop and ran eclipse and a browser.

At my current job I have a 24" and a 19". I'm not sure about the extra 19" and how much that gains me, but I'm stuck in VNC all day so I can't alt-tab like normal folks.

My 22" 1680x1050 monitor at home is a bit lacking sometimes for pixel space, but I manage to get stuff done with it.

Re: Ask HN: Is a multiple monitor setup significant to you when writing code?

#12

Post by smtlaissezfaire »

I guess it probably depends what you are planning on doing with the extra monitor.

I've been happy with one monitor and alt-tab (CMD-tab on OS X) for a long time, but recently I've realized that the extra monitor comes in really handy for certain things. For me, that's having chrome open in one window and the chrome inspector in the other (this allows me to concurrently see + play with the DOM/css/js without it crowding the display).

When I have two monitors and I'm doing this sort of work, I never say to myself: "Oh man, I'm being so productive". But when I'm without the second one, I certainly miss it and feel less productive.

Re: Ask HN: Is a multiple monitor setup significant to you when writing code?

#13

Post by katem »

j45 wrote: post #8

It is absolutely critical. The 30-40% productivity gain per monitor is absolutely true. My setups have included: Three 19" screens at 1280x1024. This was uber productive. Reference/communication on the left screen, code in the middle screen, test on the right screen. Now I'm running a 23" Samsung and a 27" Asus. I use the 27" to code and the 23" to read/test on. The 27" has a 1920x1080 resolution but larger type caus…

30-40% productivity gain per monitor? Can you cite that?

Re: Ask HN: Is a multiple monitor setup significant to you when writing code?

#14

Post by asher_ »

It makes a huge difference in my experience. I use a 30" most of the time with side-by side, but occasionally use one (sometimes two) of my side monitors (20" in portrait) if the need arises. It is rare for me to use more than just the 30", but if you think about what you'd like to be visible it could be as much as; code, browser, specs/reqs sheet and api/library documentation.

I am getting a laptop for coding soon and plan to get an external USB display to complement it for this reason.

To the OP; just try using two displays for a couple of hours. You'll never go back.

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