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How to pick a good monitor for software development

nickjanetakis.com

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Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#51

Post by jdjslskshdj »

Since everyone is just using this thread to post their own experiences with the monitors they use, I'm curious a bit further...what is actually on your monitors while developing? (Interested specifically in web dev, since that's what i do).

For me, I am fine with 3 windows at a time, achieved by my laptop display, and my 4k screen split vertically. Code and SO/docs on the big screen, and then the testing browser (ptobably with console open) on the laptop screen. I don't really see any use for another monitor or more screen real estate.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#52

Post by howinteresting »

rigelbm wrote: post #11

I went from 2 wide screens to a single ultra wide, and I'm never going back. It's like you have two screens (well, more like 1.5), but they are optimally positioned, and there's no bevel in the middle. It's worth mentioning that I use i3, which helps a lot organising all that screen real state. I can see how obnoxious it could be to use it with other desktop environments. Bonus: It's awesome for gaming. Most games su…

Agreed, ultrawide monitors really just "heighten the contradictions" of non-tiling window managers, and show how unfit for purpose they are.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#53

Post by gnufied »

zokier wrote: post #25
gnufied wrote: post #2

Does anyone know why manufactures don't make 34,36 inch 4k monitors? There are plenty of 32 inch 4k monitors but next 4k resolution is 42-43 inch. Nothing in-between. The whole segment of 32-40 inch monitor is dominated by ultra wide monitors.

120-130 PPI sounds like really awkward zone. Either you have really good eyesight and run it at 1x scale, or deal with scaling issues by running it at 1.25x without actually being as sharp as proper hidpi. In comparison, 31.5" works well with 1.5x, and 43" at 1x.

Heh I am running currently at 32 inch;4k at 1x. I do find it tad small and I was thinking a 36 inch will be almost perfect.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#54

Post by colordrops »

phkahler wrote: post #42
Okkef wrote: post #5

I recently got a 27" 4k monitor that I use at 2x scaling, and I'm never going back to fewer pixels per inch. When I now have to look at monitors with a lower PPIU it hurts my eyes. I can see the individual pixels very clearly and letters are blurry. Much less eyestrain on 4k, can recommend!

>> 4k monitor that I use at 2x scaling, and I'm never going back to fewer pixels per inch. Doesn't that scaling make it effectively 1080? I use a 55" curved 4k TV and will never go back. The ability to "spread stuff out on the desktop" is unmatched.

Depends on the scaling. They are probably not talking about pixel scaling, but font and UI scaling, which means things stay just as sharp when scaled up.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#55

Post by rubicon33 »

jdjslskshdj wrote: post #51

Since everyone is just using this thread to post their own experiences with the monitors they use, I'm curious a bit further...what is actually on your monitors while developing? (Interested specifically in web dev, since that's what i do). For me, I am fine with 3 windows at a time, achieved by my laptop display, and my 4k screen split vertically. Code and SO/docs on the big screen, and then the testing browser (pto…

2 32" monitors side by side.

code on left monitor

browser and dev tools (split vertically 50 / 50) on right monitor.

separate chrome tab behind browser + dev tool, with docs, for quick CMD+~

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#56

Post by colordrops »

MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #28
Okkef wrote: post #5

I recently got a 27" 4k monitor that I use at 2x scaling, and I'm never going back to fewer pixels per inch. When I now have to look at monitors with a lower PPIU it hurts my eyes. I can see the individual pixels very clearly and letters are blurry. Much less eyestrain on 4k, can recommend!

Even considering a resolution below 4k on a large monitor is absurd. This invalidated the whole article for me.

100% agree. I don't understand how anyone uses lower DPI screens at this point. I got one from work and immediately packed it up and returned it once I founded out it was lower res. A large curved display at 1080p has pixels the size peanuts.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#57

Post by chrisseaton »

beebmam wrote: post #45
chrisseaton wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> ultra-wide monitors are incredible for productive tasks But they always seem really short? The wider they get the shorter they seem to get. Not sure why that is. Doesn't work for viewing code or text does it?

What do you mean by "short"? Do you mean like, the monitor support structure is short? You can put ultra-wide monitors on monitor arms; just make sure the monitor arm supports the weight of the device.

When I look on Amazon for ultra-wide, I find monitors that are for example 3840 pixels wide... which is ok... but only 1080 pixels tall?! And the wider they get the fewer rows of pixels they seem to have. My 14-inch mid-range laptop is 1964 pixels tall. My ancient standard-format monitor is 2160 pixels tall. Why are these brand-new, fully mains-powered, desktop monitors so stupidly low on pixel rows? 1080 rows isn't enough for a good amount of code or text at a reasonable resolution.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#58

Post by colordrops »

fwoty wrote: post #47
MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even considering a resolution below 4k on a large monitor is absurd. This invalidated the whole article for me.

For text rendering, 4k doesn't really work for 27" or bigger. It'd work for 24" because you could do true @2x, but there aren't many out there. For 27", besides the UltraFine 5k, I'd prefer just using @1x with 1440p too.

I don't understand you comment. My 4k 27" renders fonts just fine.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#60

Post by einherjae »

beebmam wrote: post #45
chrisseaton wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> ultra-wide monitors are incredible for productive tasks But they always seem really short? The wider they get the shorter they seem to get. Not sure why that is. Doesn't work for viewing code or text does it?

What do you mean by "short"? Do you mean like, the monitor support structure is short? You can put ultra-wide monitors on monitor arms; just make sure the monitor arm supports the weight of the device.

I assume they meant the opposite of tall, I.e vertical size. And there I must agree, the ultra wide screens come of as very… wide.
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