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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

#111
post #99
post #95

It's strange when monitor costs are being discussed while they are the primary tool for software development. If software developer produces $100k/year value, then it's worth spending several thousands of dollars for every percent of increased effectiveness. This can buy almost any monitor on the market. I've found the following worth considering: - It makes sense maximizing usable screen real estate, both in terms o…

> If software developer produces $100k/year value, then it's worth spending several thousands of dollars for every percent of increased effectiveness. This can buy almost any monitor on the market. This doesn't add up: 1% of $100K = $1000. You would spend _several_ $1000 for every $1000 of produced value per year. EDIT: Added "per year" at the end, thanks to Arcuru's question.

Thank you for noticing this as well! Further, if a software developer produces $100k per year in value, the company is likely underwater. Very few developers cost less than $100,000, especially when taxes, benefits, tooling, etc are all factored in.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#112
post #62

Really missing OLED in the post. After getting an OLED tv a few years back I can't imagine myself spending money on anything with less quality. Instant pixel refresh, amazing colors and no blooming and most importantly, a glossy display. Tried the Odyssey G7 for a while, so blurry with VA and matte panel. Ended up returning it. Temporary solution is my old 2x 1440 IPS 27". They look awful next to my 15 inch 4k laptop…

> When rumors for the C2 42" started coming I decided to ASAP when it launches this spring

If previous LG OLEDs are anything to go by, you’re gonna be disappointed using it as a regular computer monitor (gaming would be great though).

The automatic brightness limiting kicks in hard for regular PC usage.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#113
post #77
post #62

Really missing OLED in the post. After getting an OLED tv a few years back I can't imagine myself spending money on anything with less quality. Instant pixel refresh, amazing colors and no blooming and most importantly, a glossy display. Tried the Odyssey G7 for a while, so blurry with VA and matte panel. Ended up returning it. Temporary solution is my old 2x 1440 IPS 27". They look awful next to my 15 inch 4k laptop…

Check https://www.amazon.com/15-6-Portable-Monitor-External-Consol... I use 2 of them on a daily basis.

Wow those seem amazing! Like the perfect minimal office on the go??

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#114
post #104
post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If software developer produces $100k/year value, then it's worth spending several thousands of dollars for every percent of increased effectiveness. This can buy almost any monitor on the market. This doesn't add up: 1% of $100K = $1000. You would spend _several_ $1000 for every $1000 of produced value per year. EDIT: Added "per year" at the end, thanks to Arcuru's question.

How often do you buy a new monitor?

Every 3-4 years.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#115
Does anyone have a non-mac laptop that truly handles 2 monitors? I had an old Dell with both HDMI and Mini-DisplayPort ports, it drove two monitors well. But new laptops only have HDMI and rely on USB or Thunderbolt for additional monitor ports. My second monitor (connected via a USB-C hub with HDMI port) works, but it flickers and is not as bright as the first monitor connected directly to HDMI.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#116
post #62

Really missing OLED in the post. After getting an OLED tv a few years back I can't imagine myself spending money on anything with less quality. Instant pixel refresh, amazing colors and no blooming and most importantly, a glossy display. Tried the Odyssey G7 for a while, so blurry with VA and matte panel. Ended up returning it. Temporary solution is my old 2x 1440 IPS 27". They look awful next to my 15 inch 4k laptop…

> When rumors for the C2 42" started coming I decided to ASAP when it launches this spring If previous LG OLEDs are anything to go by, you’re gonna be disappointed using it as a regular computer monitor (gaming would be great though). The automatic brightness limiting kicks in hard for regular PC usage.

That would be annoying, my use case is both but many times the hours of work to compared to gaming. I guess that is why my B6 is amazing, not the brightest out there compared to what is available today but no automatic limiting.

I wonder how the crazy gamer ones are going to be, like the ASUS PG42UQ [0]. Also how much a premium above the regular LG one. Also would get annoyed by having that UFO on my desk.

[0]: https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/4/22867178/asus-oled-gaming-...

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There used to be more options in that market segment but lack of interest kinda made them extinct.

Gamers and business buyers drive the market. Neither care about pixel density.

Business buyers care about text... which is better with higher pixel density.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#119
post #62

Really missing OLED in the post. After getting an OLED tv a few years back I can't imagine myself spending money on anything with less quality. Instant pixel refresh, amazing colors and no blooming and most importantly, a glossy display. Tried the Odyssey G7 for a while, so blurry with VA and matte panel. Ended up returning it. Temporary solution is my old 2x 1440 IPS 27". They look awful next to my 15 inch 4k laptop…

> When rumors for the C2 42" started coming I decided to ASAP when it launches this spring If previous LG OLEDs are anything to go by, you’re gonna be disappointed using it as a regular computer monitor (gaming would be great though). The automatic brightness limiting kicks in hard for regular PC usage.

The ABL isn’t that much of an issue as the WRGB sub pixels that it uses which make text fuzzy.

Also even at 42” the PPI is not good enough for text rendering.

And lastly the biggest issue is actual comfort there is almost no way to balance the right distance and scaling to prevent strain on your neck when working with such large monitors.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#120
I'm running a couple of 28" 3:2 ratio displays ( https://consumer.huawei.com/uk/monitors/mateview/ for the exact model). The extra vertical space is great, been wanting desktop displays in this ratio ever since getting a Surface Book and I'm upgrading to a Framework partly down to the 3:2 display there too.

Downside of this particular monitor is the lack of VESA mount, it could be a tad brighter (but is fine for the office), and I'd prefer 120Hz vs 60. I'm really hoping there is more choice in this 3:2 space down the road. Like if Microsoft released that Surface Studio as a monitor..

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