How big a monitor is too big?

[watdahel]

I was thinking of going tripple monitor with my laptop but I then realized I can only connect one monitor to it for a dual monitor setup. So I decided I'll get one big monitor. I mostly do websurfing and like opening multiple windows at the same time. What size monitor should I get that's optimal along side my 17" Mac Book Pro?

 

[imported_Tick]

I've got a 37" westy, so too big is larger than that. Realistically, a 20" would probably be great.

/epeen

 

[toughwimp11]

9 inches
...
OHHH MONITOR
nvm

 

[everman]

I think 22" is about at the "value" price-point for large monitors, but 24" is great and what I use with my laptop. I need it for displaying multiple documents at once in word and PDFs. Benq 24" btw.

 

[jkresh]

depends on what resolution you are comfortable with and your budget, 22-24inch 1600x1050 or 1900x1200 would make the most sense

 

[JackBurton]

30" 2560x1600.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: toughwimp11
9 inches
...
OHHH MONITOR
nvm

lol, I got that one.

OP, I find that a 19" is too small for me to have a lot of windows open. 23" is the right size imo.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: Smartazz
23" is the right size imo.

... but not very common. There's a better selection of 22"ws (budget) and 24"ws (enthusiast).

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: betasub

Originally posted by: Smartazz
23" is the right size imo.

... but not very common. There's a better selection of 22"ws (budget) and 24"ws (enthusiast).

Yeah, maybe 22" is what I had in mind. I see them on display all the time in stores.
edit: I think the res. is 1680 by 1050 or 1650 by 1080, I'm not too sure.

 

[dealmaster00]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: betasub

Originally posted by: Smartazz
23" is the right size imo.

... but not very common. There's a better selection of 22"ws (budget) and 24"ws (enthusiast).

Yeah, maybe 22" is what I had in mind. I see them on display all the time in stores.
edit: I think the res. is 1680 by 1050 or 1650 by 1080, I'm not too sure.

It's the former.

 

[Jaanpunjab]

When your monitor causes your desk to break in half, you know it is too big.

 

[watdahel]

I ordered a Samsung 226BW. $285 after rebate from Buy.com. It better be good or else I'm gonna throw it out the window.

 

[Ruger22C]

@Jack.

Are you able to read text well, at that resolution on 30"? Also, roughly how far away is it from your face?

 

[imported_Imp]

I was going to say 30", but I'm 'barely' running two windows side by side on a 24" so the extra resolution would probably be nice. However, in terms of desk real-estate, neck pains and dot-pitch, 30" is too big. ~I only have about 2 inches of clearance between my bookshelves and monitor.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Ruger22C
@Jack.

Are you able to read text well, at that resolution on 30"? Also, roughly how far away is it from your face?

Oh I don't have the 30", but that's what I'm looking at getting before the year is up. And it'll be about 1 to 2 feet away from my face.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Oh I don't have the 30", but that's what I'm looking at getting before the year is up. And it'll be about 1 to 2 feet away from my face.

That's close to your nose, especially for a 30" screen. Laptop screens are typcially viewed from ~12" away, desktop screens ~3' (~1m), and TV-style screens much further.

 

[nweaver]

3' for desktops seems pretty big. I would guess my dual 24" Sun CRT's are 1.5-2 maybe.

 

[Ruger22C]

Originally posted by: betasub

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Oh I don't have the 30", but that's what I'm looking at getting before the year is up. And it'll be about 1 to 2 feet away from my face.

That's close to your nose, especially for a 30" screen. Laptop screens are typcially viewed from ~12" away, desktop screens ~3' (~1m), and TV-style screens much further.

A 56" screen should be what, 7-10 foot? I seen a chart, but I lost it.
1 foot is too close for 30".

 

[foolfromhell]

I ordered a Samsung 226BW. $285 after rebate from Buy.com. It better be good or else I'm gonna throw it out the window.

Its awesome!
Much better than 20" versions, but very cheap.

 

[ognabor]

Originally posted by: foolfromhell

I ordered a Samsung 226BW. $285 after rebate from Buy.com. It better be good or else I'm gonna throw it out the window.

Its awesome!
Much better than 20" versions, but very cheap.

I have a 206BW at work and i love it. It's gorgeous and has a great picture. I don't do any gaming on it though, so i can't speak to that specifically.

 

[Mutilator]

Originally posted by: erwin1978
I was thinking of going tripple monitor with my laptop but I then realized I can only connect one monitor to it for a dual monitor setup. So I decided I'll get one big monitor. I mostly do websurfing and like opening multiple windows at the same time. What size monitor should I get that's optimal along side my 17" Mac Book Pro?

Bleh, nm.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: betasub

Originally posted by: JackBurton
Oh I don't have the 30", but that's what I'm looking at getting before the year is up. And it'll be about 1 to 2 feet away from my face.

That's close to your nose, especially for a 30" screen. Laptop screens are typcially viewed from ~12" away, desktop screens ~3' (~1m), and TV-style screens much further.

I'm also planning on getting a 60" plasma in ~Dec (Pioneer will releases their new 1080p models in Sept) and sit ~6' away. But we'll see how everything works out. I may be only able to get the 30", and have to wait for my TV. But we'll see.

As far as too close, I have a 21" CRT now, and I can tell you I can definitely use a bigger screen and sit at the same distance. I'd say my normal PC viewing distance is more around 2' though. A 30" at 2560x1600 would be perfect for me.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
As far as too close, I have a 21" CRT now, and I can tell you I can definitely use a bigger screen and sit at the same distance. I'd say my normal PC viewing distance is more around 2' though. A 30" at 2560x1600 would be perfect for me.

Do you have poor distance vision & need to sit so close?

Perhaps you have particularly good peripheral vision, & you're able to view huge screens close up without having to move your head.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: betasub

Originally posted by: JackBurton
As far as too close, I have a 21" CRT now, and I can tell you I can definitely use a bigger screen and sit at the same distance. I'd say my normal PC viewing distance is more around 2' though. A 30" at 2560x1600 would be perfect for me.

Do you have poor distance vision & need to sit so close?

Perhaps you have particularly good peripheral vision, & you're able to view huge screens close up without having to move your head.

Nah, I just like big screens. And with 2560x1600, I better not have bad vision. I just feel a larger screen helps me immerse myself in a game to a greater degree than a smaller screen. You obviously you can take it too far, but I don't think 30" is there yet (for me). 42" would be too big for me at my distance.

 

[n7]

Haven't found one too big yet.

I have a 3760x1600 desktop, & i'd go even bigger, though not too much larger.