How to pick a good monitor for software development • Hacker News Board

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#161

Post by Bancakes » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 8:09 AM UTC

eyelidlessness wrote: post #135

Bancakes wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't understand this consumerist mindset. A monitor is a monitor. Programmers don't need color accuracy so any 4k will suffice. Your thinking just incenivizes "Programming grade" monitors that are just overpriced regular ones. I don't see how you could make a several thousand dollar 4k monitor if you tried.

> Programmers don't need color accuracy so any 4k will suffice. Surely it depends on what we’re programming? Color accuracy ( and inaccuracy for accessibility testing) is important for most anything we produce graphically that’s user-facing. > A monitor is a monitor. Color accuracy isn’t the only reason to invest more in display quality. Viewing angle and refresh rate are important factors as well. Their relative imp…

By and large, modern mass produced monitors are more than good enough. In fact, the best programmers in history had no problems running big CRTs.

These people don't need any fluff, and don't blame underperformance on lack of technology. People nowadays are so spoiled.

https://www.doomworld.com/lordflathead/id_carmack.jpg

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#162

Post by p12tic » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 9:28 AM UTC

Bancakes wrote: post #123

p12tic wrote: 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…

I don't understand this consumerist mindset. A monitor is a monitor. Programmers don't need color accuracy so any 4k will suffice. Your thinking just incenivizes "Programming grade" monitors that are just overpriced regular ones. I don't see how you could make a several thousand dollar 4k monitor if you tried.

I agree that just buying the most expensive monitor is waste of resources. On the other hand, I think price shouldn't even come into the picture when deciding on basic things, such as the number of monitors or whether to choose 4K monitor or just FHD.

I guess the most reasonable approach is to select a set of models that pass the requirements and only then think about the price.

Some requirements are really expensive though. If one insists on OLED and wants to fit 3 4K monitors side by side the full setup cost is around $10k.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#163

Post by skatanski » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 9:56 AM UTC

A friend has serious eye strain problems and his literally stockpiling old square screens. At the moment only screens, which are okey for him are Eizo IPS S1934 and EV2730Q and some of the old similar ones not produced anymore. Any square screen recommendations?

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#164

Post by Wertiho » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 10:16 AM UTC

fwoty wrote: post #137

Meritiooo wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My eizo 27" 4k likes to tell a different story.

What scaling do you run it in? If you do @2x things are massive for my taste and you don't have enough screen real estate (same space as 1920x1080).

You can configure widget sizes and font sizes independtly.

UI scaling set to have enough space and font size for readability.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#165

Post by cheradenine_uk » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 10:36 AM UTC

I have yet to find a better monitor than the Dell U3011, which is essentially the same unit as my previous 3008WFP (which itself there was a 3007wfp before it), which means it's a design that's been available approaching 15 years.

30" 2560x1600; c. 100ppi.

I run the numbers on all the Ultrawide, 4K, whatever hotness and I end up knowing I'll fit less vertical lines on the screen.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#166

Post by HNSucksAss » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 10:49 AM UTC

camgunz wrote: post #61

Let me chime in and recommend the Lenovo ThinkVision P32U-10 [0]. Color repro is amazing, brightness is bonkers, it's matte. The only dealbreaker for some is it's 60Hz only. The reviews are pretty good and give a good idea of how it all performs [1] [2] [3]. Plus it's super cheap at Amazon right now; I'm pretty sure mine cost $700-$800 and it's down to $400. I did have to monkey a little with macOS to get color repro…

No post body was provided.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#167

Post by HNSucksAss » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 10:59 AM UTC

amiga-workbench wrote: post #20

I've got 3 1200p IPS panels on a VESA stand, I think its pretty ideal. I really do wish 1600p 16:10 panels were more common, as I think its the ideal sweet spot for pixel density and not pissing away compute power.

No post body was provided.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#168

Post by perryizgr8 » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 11:04 AM UTC

listenallyall wrote: post #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.

I used to use an HP elitebook. It drove 3 1600x1200 monitors from on display port using daisy chaining. Pretty well built laptop.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#169

Post by amatheus » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 11:47 AM UTC

odshoifsdhfs wrote: post #33

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!

I have one like that, and having a MBP retina driving it below it, I can't not notice the pixels on the 4k monitor. I wish we could have more options either 24@4K or 27@5K. Having a retina display next to it makes the differences quite apparent.

I have two 24@4K and it's great. Unfortunately, Dell stopped making this model (P2415Q), in fact the second one I bought used because Dell had no more stock.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#170

Post by Kon5ole » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 12:04 PM UTC

mixmastamyk wrote: post #157

Kon5ole wrote: post #107

I got a 8k 55" tv for just under 1000 usd a while back and can't imagine spending a cent on anything less now. Maybe a 2x2 grid of 27" 4k's but I'd be annoyed by the bevels being right in the middle of my view. Unfortunately I recently discovered it was a fluke of history, prices have gone up and I can't even seem to find 55" 8k anymore. I really hope someone puts the same panel in a consumer monitor with displayport…

Interesting, how does it fit on your desk?

it fits fine, it's only about 4ft/120cm wide. I can touch both sides with my hands when sitting normally in front of it. Basically most of my field of view when working is available retina screen space, it's really nice. :)