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Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

sprocketfox.io

121–130 of 341 posts

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think 27" 4k with some scaling is a good spot indeed. 32" 4k is nice as well, if you scale down to 2560x1440, or 3008x1692. On 32" 2x scaling (1920x1080 is just too big, and native (3840x2160) is just too small. But if money is no problem, 3x 24" 4k, 2x 27" 5k, or 1x 32" 6k is really the endgame. That 2x scaling is just soooo crisp. :)

The PPI ratio for 32" 4k with no scaling is actually pretty good (at least to my eye, since it's similar to my previous 24" 1080p, 27" 1440p monitors). If we can agree on that, then the solution is to just move the monitor closer to your eyes, 3rd party monitor arms help with that.

32" 4k = 137.68ppi. 27" 1440p = 108ppi. 24" 1080p = 91.78ppi.

Significant difference. 32" 4k is not pleasant to read natively, and bringing it that close that is would be readable means you are putting things out of your focus and you need to start moving your head a lot.

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#122
post #44

Tangentially related thought: Take my advice, don't go ultra-wide. Go with a large 4k. You get more pixels for cheaper. The only ultrawide that makes any sense is the 5k x 2k resolution one. These have more pixels than a single 4K. But they are expensive. Even then, a 16:9 5K monitor has more pixels. I personally use 3 x 27 inch 4K - which is cheaper than a single 5k Ultra-wide and gives you a TON more pixels.

My 5k2k LG 40WP95C-W is an absolute dream. Worth every penny for dev.

Could you expand on this a bit? How’s the ergonomics, window management, etc?

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#123

What is the correct terminology for "monitor rotation"? I want a monitor that can rotate, but using "rotation" as a keyword does not bring up many relevant results.

It depends on the stand really. You can get VESA compatible monitor arm and rotate as many degrees as you like.

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#126
post #88
post #44

Tangentially related thought: Take my advice, don't go ultra-wide. Go with a large 4k. You get more pixels for cheaper. The only ultrawide that makes any sense is the 5k x 2k resolution one. These have more pixels than a single 4K. But they are expensive. Even then, a 16:9 5K monitor has more pixels. I personally use 3 x 27 inch 4K - which is cheaper than a single 5k Ultra-wide and gives you a TON more pixels.

I find it difficult to actually figure the proper position where the 27” Dell 4K (still very top notch) is just as far so that I can see it and not have to move my head left and right. Anything beyond this size may be OK for games, but too much space and too much windows is actually too much of cognitive load. It is not a surprise that many ppl (not me though) start to prefer full screen terminal rather than dozen wi…

My dream monitor is a 22” 4K monitor. I searched it for a decade and this creature just doesn’t exists. There have never been a single 4K monitor under 27”.

The only thing that somehow could do the job would be iMac’s panels but I’m just not interested in an All in one and I already have good enough computers.

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#127
post #44

Tangentially related thought: Take my advice, don't go ultra-wide. Go with a large 4k. You get more pixels for cheaper. The only ultrawide that makes any sense is the 5k x 2k resolution one. These have more pixels than a single 4K. But they are expensive. Even then, a 16:9 5K monitor has more pixels. I personally use 3 x 27 inch 4K - which is cheaper than a single 5k Ultra-wide and gives you a TON more pixels.

Always focus on PPI, some rough numbers 27” 5k (5120 x 2880) -> 218 PPI 32” 4k (3840 x 2160) -> 137.68 PPI 34” 5k (5120 x 2160) -> 163.44 PPI 39,7 5K (5120 x 2160) -> 139.97 PPI Apple Pro Display XDR 32" 6k (6016 x 3384) -> 218 PPI

My preferred setup in terms of screen real estate is 24" 2k (2560x1440) without scaling. In terms of PPI it's a bit low (122), but 244 PPI 24" screens are hard to get. 1.5x scaling is an option

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#128

While this article presents it in a humorous way, some air traffic control systems actually do use a diagonally rotated screen, with that "long line" being lined up with the primary approach to the airport. The setup I got to observe involved large displays that worked with stylus input. These weren't ultra-widescreen displays; they were relatively standard aspect-ratio displays, rotated at an angle.

I tried to google as well (like another commenter), I did find a lot of 1:1 ratio screens though; I wouldn't mind that I think.

I use a phone with a 1:1 screen. Unihertz Titan in case you're curious.

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think 27" 4k with some scaling is a good spot indeed. 32" 4k is nice as well, if you scale down to 2560x1440, or 3008x1692. On 32" 2x scaling (1920x1080 is just too big, and native (3840x2160) is just too small. But if money is no problem, 3x 24" 4k, 2x 27" 5k, or 1x 32" 6k is really the endgame. That 2x scaling is just soooo crisp. :)

The PPI ratio for 32" 4k with no scaling is actually pretty good (at least to my eye, since it's similar to my previous 24" 1080p, 27" 1440p monitors). If we can agree on that, then the solution is to just move the monitor closer to your eyes, 3rd party monitor arms help with that.

> then the solution is to just move the monitor closer to your eyes

Depending on how close we're talking about, it may not be so great, especially with a non-curved screen, because the actual angle at the edges is possibly not so great anymore. That's the case on my 32" LG, for example (with an IPS panel, FWIW).

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#130
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

PPI doesn't translate to screen estate, though

And too many PPI won't make text easier to read, unless you magnify the screen, thus actually loosing PPIs. PPIs will display sharper pictures, provided that they have enough quality.

If you go up PPI by a percentage you can reduce font size by a similar amount. Too small to be legible? Literally move the screen closer. No need to magnify anything.

Have a 27" 4k monitor and a 42" 4k monitor? Move the 27" close enough that it takes up the same FOV as the 4k and you get the same experience.

This isn't like home theatre where you're constrained to the dimensions of a room (ie. wall or console location a TV sits on top of and seat viewing distance).

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