Now I have a really good use case for 4K display.

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whm1974

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Jul 24, 2016
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As some of you know I started with Leaning C programming over a week ago, and I'm finding myself with 4 applications open at the same time and having to moving windows around often is really getting to be a PITA and old real fast. Annoying enough that I'm seriously considering buying a 4K 40" to 43" display to replace my current 30" 2560x1600 setup that cost me $1000 back in mid 2013.

With 4k PC monitors out of my price range, I'm looking at 4K 40" to 43" TVs since they are much cheaper and some are good enough to used with a PC. As I have Geforce GTX 970, gaming isn't my focus at this point, but the ability to display four 1080p windows at once is the reason I'm wanting this to begin with

I know some users here are using 4K TVs with their computers so I'm wondering about any advice you could give me and your experiences with this.

Like I said I'm wanting something in the 40" to 43" range.
 
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BSim500

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Jun 5, 2013
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whm1974 said:
I know some users here are using 4K TVs with their computers so I'm wondering about any advice you could give me and your experiences with this. Like I said I'm wanting something in the 40" to 43" range.
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The only serious advice when buying a huge 40" screen for PC usage is to test it in person first. For productivity stuff, you'll often be sitting closer to the screen vs watching movies / playing games from 6-10ft away. At the same time, I know 3 people who bought then returned a 40" screen they originally intended to sit close to because when they received it, they discovered that it was simply uncomfortably big when sitting up close to (it's the height that kills it). They downsized to a 32" 4K or 34" ultrawide and were much more comfortable. Since such ergonomics can be highly variable, you'll really have to figure out how you plan on using it and then try before you buy.
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

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Aug 25, 2001
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Yes, I do.

One thing that I do, when using it for browsing, is NOT maximizing that windows. Instead, I have it set slightly bigger than 1080P, and semi-centered at the top of the screen. (Bottom would be problematic, I've got piles of stuff on my desks.)

The other piece of advice is to make sure that it will do 4:4:4 Chroma sub-sampling, at 4K60. My TVs apparently will not, and willl only do 4:2:0 @ 4K60, but will do 4:4:4 @ 4K30. Go figure.

OTOH, they cost me $420 in total. Not too bad for a pair of 40" 4K UHD TVs.

The sound is starting to go on one of them, though.

I got the Avera. Newegg has the "(2017)" versions for $279.99 right now for the 40". Wait a bit, it should hit close to $200 at some point during BF week.

Not that I'm really recommending this set for any reason other than price. It remains to be seen how long they'll last.
 
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whm1974

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2016
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VirtualLarry said:
Yes, I do.

One thing that I do, when using it for browsing, is NOT maximizing that windows. Instead, I have it set slightly bigger than 1080P, and semi-centered at the top of the screen. (Bottom would be problematic, I've got piles of stuff on my desks.)
Click to expand...
What brand and model are you using? I've started teaching myself the C programming language and finding myself with at least four applications opened and getting very annoyed with having to switch between them very often.
 
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whm1974

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2016
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The biggest thing that will keep me from buying a 4K display is the fact that I paid $1000 for my 30" Dell 3014 2560x1600 back in middle 2013, and that was on sale at the time. Don't get me wrong I'm still happy with it, but I just finding myself with the increased need to have more large windows displayed at once.

And here I was thinking that 4K was just a luxury for gamers. Never thought I would ever need anything more then 2560x1600 pixels. :eek:
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
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I've got a 43" 4K and it's great for getting things done. You can put so many windows on one screen, it's great.
 
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whm1974

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Jul 24, 2016
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Chaotic42 said:
I've got a 43" 4K and it's great for getting things done. You can put so many windows on one screen, it's great.
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I'm finding out real fast that I'm starting to have a need for displaying multiple large windows. Maybe I will get lucky this Xmass.
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
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whm1974 said:
I'm finding out real fast that I'm starting to have a need for displaying multiple large windows. Maybe I will get lucky this Xmass.
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2x3monitors.jpg


I've only got three monitors at work and it sucks. Stupid laptop.

Edit: You're using Linux, right? Definitely look into setting up multiple workspaces so you can just hit Win-Left/Win-Right to switch.
 
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whm1974

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2016
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Chaotic42 said:
2x3monitors.jpg


I've only got three monitors at work and it sucks. Stupid laptop.

Edit: You're using Linux, right? Definitely look into setting up multiple workspaces so you can just hit Win-Left/Win-Right to switch.
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Yeah I'm using Linux, thanks for the tip. Of course I don't know when I'll get this since I have to save up some money first.
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

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May 24, 2003
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I work at a NOC, we used to have 6+ screens and had to bring some from home and use USB video cards even as they would not buy us more. We finally got 3x 4K's, and it's incredible having that extra real estate. We got 27" so it's a bit small, not something I'd want to use every day to code on, but for what we use it for it's fine.

I'm in the market for one at home myself, I currently have a triple monitor setup but want to go with a single 4k. I find multi monitor is a pain in the ass sometimes as windows/dialogs open wherever they want, drives me mad. My fix is Synergy and two raspberry PIs for the side monitors but Synergy crashes all the time, so going to scrap this whole setup and do 1 4k.

I'm thinking 32" is probably a nice size for a daily use desktop. I'm even getting used to the 27" ones at work tbh... but it's a tad small if sitting back and especially if coding.
 
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whm1974

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2016
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Red Squirrel said:
I work at a NOC, we used to have 6+ screens and had to bring some from home and use USB video cards even as they would not buy us more. We finally got 3x 4K's, and it's incredible having that extra real estate. We got 27" so it's a bit small, not something I'd want to use every day to code on, but for what we use it for it's fine.

I'm in the market for one at home myself, I currently have a triple monitor setup but want to go with a single 4k. I find multi monitor is a pain in the ass sometimes as windows/dialogs open wherever they want, drives me mad. My fix is Synergy and two raspberry PIs for the side monitors but Synergy crashes all the time, so going to scrap this whole setup and do 1 4k.

I'm thinking 32" is probably a nice size for a daily use desktop. I'm even getting used to the 27" ones at work tbh... but it's a tad small if sitting back and especially if coding.
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I have 30" 2560x1600, while text is nice and sharp, I'm afraid that at 4K a 32" would be too small for my eyesight. Which is why I'm looking at 40"

How do you even find a 4K display usable at 27"?
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
70,157
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www.anyf.ca
whm1974 said:
I have 30" 2560x1600, while text is nice and sharp, I'm afraid that at 4K a 32" would be too small for my eyesight. Which is why I'm looking at 40"

How do you even find a 4K display usable at 27"?
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For work it's for alarm displays, so it's not like I'm constantly looking at it, just scanning for changes. I see something change, then just need to look a little closer to read it. I would not want 27" as a daily monitor though. We still have a HD one for Outlook and other stuff like that, but funny enough I find everything too big now since I've gotten used to the 4K ones.
 
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whm1974

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Jul 24, 2016
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Red Squirrel said:
For work it's for alarm displays, so it's not like I'm constantly looking at it, just scanning for changes. I see something change, then just need to look a little closer to read it. I would not want 27" as a daily monitor though. We still have a HD one for Outlook and other stuff like that, but funny enough I find everything too big now since I've gotten used to the 4K ones.
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I know what you mean, I find 1920x1200 too large when I switch to it every now and then. Same thing when I hook up my TV as well, but that a 40" one.
 
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whm1974

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Jul 24, 2016
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OK from read/watching all the reviews and other stuff, here are my thoughts on 4K displays:

Anything smaller 32" is useless and should be considered the minimum size for that resolution.

40" to 43" on a desktop looks like the sweet spot for 4K, especially for heavy multitasking users.

4K is indeed the future of computering.
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
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43" is a little big for me, but I'm an edge case. I have 20/8 vision, so I'm ready for the 28" 16Ks. :p
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

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Jun 15, 2001
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whm1974 said:
Lucky you, 4K is of those resolutions where you go big or stay home.
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Yeah, I just need photorealism to hit before my eyes start to degrade. Microcenter has good deals on those 43" 4Ks from time to time if you have one near you (or you can mail order).
 
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whm1974

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2016
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Chaotic42 said:
Yeah, I just need photorealism to hit before my eyes start to degrade. Microcenter has good deals on those 43" 4Ks from time to time if you have one near you (or you can mail order).
Click to expand...
Thanks, I forgotten about Microcenter as usually their best deals are in store only.
 
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whm1974

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2016
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Found this long review of the Vizio m43 c1 TV used as a monitor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzuzPQ-V0AU
Once setup properly, it looks to be very suitable for computer use. This dude is saying that a 43" size display at 4K is very usable for desktop use but it as to be at 4K nothing lower.
 
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