Live data from Hacker News

BenQ releases 3:2 aspect ratio 28 inch 4K+ monitor designed for programmers

benq.com

11–20 of 65 posts

Re: BenQ releases 3:2 aspect ratio 28 inch 4K+ monitor designed for programmers

#11

I've read through this a few times and I'm still not sure what makes this specific for coders or how its different from other 4k monitors. Can someone explain what makes this monitor better for the average coder?

The 3:2 aspect ratio gives you more vertical space than a 16:9 ratio or similar. The good-for-coders idea is that you can see more "pages" of code without scrolling, but also without meaningfully decreasing the length of lines you can see, since it's still plenty wide.

The Framework 13" laptop has a 3:2 screen. After almost 2 years using it, I... kinda like it? I think I would agree that I can see more code per screen. But on the occasion when I'm using another laptop, with a more standard 16:9 or 16:10 screen, it feels more "normal" somehow.

Re: BenQ releases 3:2 aspect ratio 28 inch 4K+ monitor designed for programmers

#12

I've read through this a few times and I'm still not sure what makes this specific for coders or how its different from other 4k monitors. Can someone explain what makes this monitor better for the average coder?

In theory, the following things:

The 3:2 ratio suits reading and editing text, because our eyes have trouble following in lines of text that are too long (think about how a paperback page is shaped, or A4 or letter paper). The counter-argument is that 16:9 is actually better because it's functionally two 8:9 panels if you split the screen.

The light on the back reduces eye-strain in dark environments by lighting a wall (if there is one) behind the screen.

Less reveolutionary is automatic brightness adjustment and the dark/light controls, but they might be nice.

It basically just folds into one package a couple of things that are good practice for text editing and reading.

Re: BenQ releases 3:2 aspect ratio 28 inch 4K+ monitor designed for programmers

#13
Looks like they’re using the same panels as the Huawei Mateview. Only these ones are VESA mountable. 3:2 at such high resolution, for me is a great experience. I’ll maybe grab one for my work desk to run vertically as I can’t do the same with the Mateview

Re: BenQ releases 3:2 aspect ratio 28 inch 4K+ monitor designed for programmers

#17
post #6
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

3:2 aspect ratio

...Why is that better for programming than other ratios?

For every unit of height, there is 1.5 units of width.

A traditional monitor is 16:9: that means for every unit of height, there is 1.77 units of height.

It sounds like a small difference, but it means a ~15% increase in height.

ex. my Visual Studio Code would show 70 lines of code instead of 60.

This is an especially good tradeoff for code, because we tradtional line wrap at ~80 characters, which leaves large swaths of width available.

Re: BenQ releases 3:2 aspect ratio 28 inch 4K+ monitor designed for programmers

#18
I have a similar monitor at work. I find my adhd deals better with a single, wider monitor than with multiple monitors. That said, as I type, my keystrokes make the monitor shake. This is visibly irritating and I still haven't solved this issue. Looking at this monitor I'd sadly expect the same to happen.

Re: BenQ releases 3:2 aspect ratio 28 inch 4K+ monitor designed for programmers

#20
post #10

I personally prefer ultra wide monitors for coding, can have split windows for multiple files, web browser, terminal, etc. I don't know why people like 3:2.

Yeah. I usually code with a 3 column, 2 row split view on a 4k.

Perfect for component.ts, component.ng.html, component.scss, and component_test.ts all to be open at once...

Post reply on HN