One very large monitor vs multiple small monitors

[pete6032]

Has anyone made the switch from multiple small monitors to one very large monitor? I see an increasing number of people that have one 32 inch monitor on their desk and that's it, rather than having two to three 21" or 22" monitors on their desk. Any opinions on which is better?

 

[Heartbreaker]

I prefer one big central monitor, and secondary off to the side, to move secondary items.

I've only ever had 1 or 2, and definitely prefer 2, but zero desire to go beyond 2.

 

[biostud]

I've never had several small but I have been using 27", 34" and 49" 1440p monitors and prefer 34 for the type of work I do. The 49" is primarily for gaming reasons.

 

[Brainonska511]

I thought about making the switch from dual 24" monitors to one larger one, but I do a lot of work in PowerPoint, and from what I've generally seen, PowerPoint files don't like being side by side on the same monitor.

 

[AdamK47]

Enthusiasts have been moving away from multi-monitor now that large and wide monitors are prevalent. Slapping smaller monitors together with bezels and uniformity getting in the way seems outdated now.

 

[Hans Gruber]

I have three 32" 1440p 144hz monitors in the shape of a horse shoe or ARC. I consider them to be small. The ideal size would be 40-43" for monitors. The minimum monitor size should not be less than 27" in my opinion. Two of the monitors are on arms that are drilled into the desk. They are not going anywhere.

 

[JM Aggie08]

2x27" for me, one centered and the other to the left -- both on arms. I can't imagine having just a large single monitor -- too many times where I quickly throw a tab onto my secondary monitor to crank through some work.

 

[sdifox]

32" plus laptop screen

 

[ThisLinkIsDead]

3x27" 4K monitors here. A single monitor isn't nearly as versatile for my usage. The bezels now are so super thin on higher end monitors, it doesn't bother me.

I can use all 3 monitors for multi-tasking from a single 3080TI. Great for running multiple programs with each having its own screen.
I can change the input on any monitor to run another machine/server. Using Mouse without Borders is great.

 

[Captante]

I have a single 1440p/165hz 32-inch VA panel curved monitor as my primary and a 24-inch flat 1200p/60hz VA panel as the second display on its right displaying my primary PC. *(On a 3080FE/5800x)

On the left of the primary 32 incher I have a calibrated 1200p 24-inch Dell 10-bit IPS panel attached to my backup FX-8350 desktop which I use for things that require enhanced color-accuracy. (On an EVGA GTX-1650 Super)

 

[nisryus]

Two 27" LCDs, with one being vertically oriented. My work got me a 32", but I found it a bit too big for the work setup, so I kept both 27".

 

[ISAslot]

Used to have 3, but now one monitor at 5120x2160 and I prefer it.

 

[repoman0]

32” 4k with no scaling for me. Tons of room for a browser or two plus VS Code with two side by side editors. I have side by side 27” 1440p screens at my desk in the real office and I hate it now. Luckily I never go in.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Resolution is more important than size, so I'd go with 2 monitors, assuming all monitors are same res. But if picking between say, 2 HD or 1 4k then go with the 1 4k. 1 4k monitor is like having 4 HD monitors in a 2x2 pattern.

Personally I have 2 28" 4k monitors one on top of each other. Do most of the work on the main one and then have stuff on top that is secondary. Like when I'm coding I'll usually have my code and file system view on the main monitor and then consoles and whatever I'm working on, on top. So I can write code, then go up, hit refresh. Or if I need to run a script I'll do it from top in the console etc.

For size, I find 28" is a sweet spot for 4k. At work we have 3x 27" 4k and middle one is HD 27" and I find stuff can be a TAD small. That extra inch makes a difference. (that's what she said)

 

[Captante]

Two 27" LCDs, with one being vertically oriented. My work got me a 32", but I found it a bit too big for the work setup, so I kept both 27".

Shens.... that's like being too rich or too thin!

 

[Muadib]

The bezel thing kept me away from 2 monitors at home. I did have two 27" at work though.

 

[quikah]

I think it has more to do with your work style. I see a lot of people that maximize windows, in that case multiple monitors would probably work better. Personally, I almost never maximize windows. Only time is when playing a game or sometimes watching a video. I could work on a single large monitor without issue assuming the resolution is sufficient, but I am also super cheap, so I make do with 2 cheap monitors.

 

[spacejamz]

been using two 40" 4k monitors for awhile (like 6 years I think) for my work setup at home....I hate life when I had to travel for work and had two use smaller 1080p screens

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I'm really confused, how do you get these things to stay on a table? Mine keep making messes and running off.

 

[biostud]

I thought about making the switch from dual 24" monitors to one larger one, but I do a lot of work in PowerPoint, and from what I've generally seen, PowerPoint files don't like being side by side on the same monitor.

No problem, you use software like windows fancy zones or whatever comes with your monitor to setup several snap zones.

 

[nisryus]

My only problem with two monitors setup is the height.

Just found this and ordered it from amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082KWH2RL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Brainonska511]

No problem, you use software like windows fancy zones or whatever comes with your monitor to setup several snap zones.

It's never been the zoning for me, it's just the horizontal tool bars PowerPoint likes to open (like when you view slide comments). Maybe a higher resolution monitor would help with that.

 

[pete6032]

I thought about making the switch from dual 24" monitors to one larger one, but I do a lot of work in PowerPoint, and from what I've generally seen, PowerPoint files don't like being side by side on the same monitor.

I think you just killed my curiousity. I do video calls all the time with PowerPoint presentations and I'm assuming it would be a lot easier to do that on multiple monitors than one single large monitor.

 

[Brainonska511]

I think you just killed my curiousity. I do video calls all the time with PowerPoint presentations and I'm assuming it would be a lot easier to do that on multiple monitors than one single large monitor.

Video calls and screen sharing are another reason I like two separate monitors. I always want a separate place to keep stuff open in the event I share a whole screen instead of a window.

 

[Captante]

Resolution is more important than size, so I'd go with 2 monitors, assuming all monitors are same res. But if picking between say, 2 HD or 1 4k then go with the 1 4k. 1 4k monitor is like having 4 HD monitors in a 2x2 pattern.

Personally I have 2 28" 4k monitors one on top of each other. Do most of the work on the main one and then have stuff on top that is secondary. Like when I'm coding I'll usually have my code and file system view on the main monitor and then consoles and whatever I'm working on, on top. So I can write code, then go up, hit refresh. Or if I need to run a script I'll do it from top in the console etc.

For size, I find 28" is a sweet spot for 4k. At work we have 3x 27" 4k and middle one is HD 27" and I find stuff can be a TAD small. That extra inch makes a difference. (that's what she said)

4K is awesome for everyday-use but far as gaming goes even with a 3080 it's a bit much for most AAA games at maximum-detail (especially with ray-tracing enabled) unless you really lay the DLSS/FSR on thick.