Why I Stopped Using Multiple Monitors

I usually use one large monitor with my MacBook as a smaller sidecar for little things like music, billing timer, notes, etc. but there's one time when I've found two monitors come in really handy: if I'm mixing local terminal work and server-side terminal work. The most important thing when doing this kind of work is to ensure that you always know if you're working on your local or on a server. I've used different terminal colour schemes, even different terminal applications - but for me it's even better to have local on one screen and remote on a completely different screen.

(I've sometimes dug out an old machine so I would even have to use a completely different keyboard - but those aren't always available.)

But as a developer, I'm generally more happy with lots of terminal windows on one big screen - but that's just me.

Interesting. I bought a cinema 4k display for 2500$ and put it next to my 'old' 1920x1200 display. I find myself constantly using the smaller display and I don't know why.

This makes me just want to get rid of the smaller one and use the large one exclusively.

Using multiple monitors is exactly the opposite of the emacs philosophy and the unix philosophy.

If anything, it can be described as the Bloomberg philosophy, modeling one's development setup after a Bloomberg terminal, designed for quick decision making based on data streaming in from the periphery of one's visual field, optimized for an OS without a good windowing system.

If you have a mouseless development workflow, multiple buffers in emacs offers the same power as multiple monitors, and uses less electricity.

For most programmers, having a multiple monitor setup (likely connected with gold plated Monster brand HDMI cables) is like having custom rims on your car... a decorative adornment that conveys social status and bling and offers little utility.

Even with a 30 inch 4k monitor, a second 2k monitor is a great productivity boost, as one can keep windows opened (eg documentation, email app)

At work, I use a single monitor with Windows 10 to avoid a few bugs and annoyances, such as one monitor not returning when unlocking the desktop, or having to rearrange all my windows onto the multiple screens when docking the laptop, or sometimes just when returning from a break.

To compensate for the lack of screen real-estate, I start by being an individual with great eyesight. (Thank you, LASIK from 2005.) I use a high-resolution monitor and zoom everything. I have 2-3 tall-and-thin browser windows open taking ~25% of the screen width and going top-to-bottom. A tall-and-thin console or 3, a tall-and-thin Notepad++ window, and RDCMan set to take ~45% of the screen, for Windows remote desktop sessions. All manually overlapping, so they are just a click away.

At home, I use a single HDTV for my gaming HTPC. I do everything else on the kitchen laptop, an old Lenovo T400. Both also zoomed as needed.