Ask HN: Remote workers. Do you use/need a portable monitor?

#1

Post by seanmheff » Sun, Jan 01, 2017, 1:11 PM UTC

I have been working remotely for a couple of months now. I have worked from my (Irish) home office so far, using 2 external monitors with my MacBook Pro.

I am going to Ecuador in March and want to keep working, but I don't want to loose productivity. I feel going back to one monitor will really slow me down. Does anyone here use portable monitors while working on the road and have any recommendations?

Re: Ask HN: Remote workers. Do you use/need a portable monitor?

#2

Post by 19kuba22 » Sun, Jan 01, 2017, 3:14 PM UTC

I found the switch back to a single monitor to be pretty painless once I became used to using shortcuts like CMD + ` for switching windows.

Two is definitely better, but for me it wasn't worth the hassle.

Re: Ask HN: Remote workers. Do you use/need a portable monitor?

#3

Post by amarraja » Sun, Jan 01, 2017, 4:44 PM UTC

It will change your workflow and may slow you down to start, but I found reducing from two to one actually helped me focus a little more since the only thing on my screen is the thing I'm supposed to be looking at.

Get familiar with multiple desktops (crtl + /), then group your apps, e.g. 1) editor + term, 2) browser, 3) spotify, 4) email and you'll soon forget about an extra monitor

Re: Ask HN: Remote workers. Do you use/need a portable monitor?

#4

Post by webology » Sun, Jan 01, 2017, 6:56 PM UTC

You might checkout out [Duet](https://www.duetdisplay.com/) which I have used for years (currently on the 12.9 iPad Pro) and really takes the edge off for me. It works perfectly and turn an iPad into a damn good display.

Re: Ask HN: Remote workers. Do you use/need a portable monitor?

#5

Post by sashagitlab » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 2:57 PM UTC

webology wrote: post #4

You might checkout out [Duet]( https://www.duetdisplay.com/ ) which I have used for years (currently on the 12.9 iPad Pro) and really takes the edge off for me. It works perfectly and turn an iPad into a damn good display.

I've had amazing luck keeping email and slack separate on my iPad using Duet. It's been a life saver- especially when travelling.