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How to pick a good monitor for software development

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Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#91

Post by jonnycomputer »

rubicon33 wrote: post #55
jdjslskshdj wrote: post #51

Since everyone is just using this thread to post their own experiences with the monitors they use, I'm curious a bit further...what is actually on your monitors while developing? (Interested specifically in web dev, since that's what i do). For me, I am fine with 3 windows at a time, achieved by my laptop display, and my 4k screen split vertically. Code and SO/docs on the big screen, and then the testing browser (pto…

2 32" monitors side by side. code on left monitor browser and dev tools (split vertically 50 / 50) on right monitor. separate chrome tab behind browser + dev tool, with docs, for quick CMD+~

Similar here. Slightly smaller monitor, but 3 of them. Only two at a time is typically used for development. The third is for me to tile apps like Slack and Spotify.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#92

Post by eez0 »

I've been using a LG 27" 4k60Hz with a MBP for a few years.

Recently got a 32" LG monitor from my employer, and I really tried to make it work, but it was plain impossible. It's too big, and due to scaling (which I don't need with 27"), fonts are very blurry.

I ended up with my 27" again and using the 32" for my bike trainer :)

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#93

Post by sgt »

phkahler wrote: post #42
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!

>> 4k monitor that I use at 2x scaling, and I'm never going back to fewer pixels per inch. Doesn't that scaling make it effectively 1080? I use a 55" curved 4k TV and will never go back. The ability to "spread stuff out on the desktop" is unmatched.

No, the point of 4k and scaling is that you still have a very high pixel density, so things look smooth and sharp. I would not think a native resolution using a 4k 27" screen would make much sense, as things would be tiny.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#94

Post by csdvrx »

molszanski wrote: post #88
csdvrx wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a thinkpad with Oled and external screens with oled too. No burn in so far. If it ever becomes a problem, I will just get new ones. The confort of oled when working at night is worth it.

What kind of screens do you use? Glad that OLED is making progress with the burn in!

https://www.amazon.com/15-6-Portable-Monitor-External-Consol...

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#95

Post by p12tic »

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 of pixels and area. Complex problems involve a lot of information and being able to view everything at the same time makes it easier to understand them. Personally I've found three 4K 32 inch monitors work well.

- OLED allows working comfortably at low lightning conditions.

- Many larger higher-end monitors support picture-by-picture, which allows splitting the monitor into multiple virtual monitors for separate inputs (2x or 4x per monitor). This is useful in case of multiple external test devices which can then be integrated into existing display setup.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#98

Post by bladegash »

colordrops wrote: post #58
fwoty wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For text rendering, 4k doesn't really work for 27" or bigger. It'd work for 24" because you could do true @2x, but there aren't many out there. For 27", besides the UltraFine 5k, I'd prefer just using @1x with 1440p too.

I don't understand you comment. My 4k 27" renders fonts just fine.

Same here - have three 27inch 4k Ultrafine monitors and fonts render just fine (and are generally amazing).

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#99

Post by ranit »

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…

> 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.

Re: How to pick a good monitor for software development

#100

Post by varjag »

rootusrootus wrote: post #10

I'd like to hear from people who develop with a 49 inch monitor. Especially the really curvy one. I had a 34 inch ultrawide for a while, but eventually got tired of the low resolution. Switched to a 32 inch 4K and I'm pretty happy with it. But it's a bit slow starting up, the refresh rate maxes out at 60Hz, and sometimes I find myself wishing for more space. Partially because I'm getting old and my eyes thank me for…

I develop with that 49" curved Dell. Works really nice when you can fit 7-8 full height terminals side by side in single workspace.

And of course https://twitter.com/varjag/status/1120709771022221314

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