Home Office Monitors - 2k or 4k?

Drakem on 05/09/2021 - 19:08

Hi community,

Trying to work out which monitors to buy for my home office. Context is, I am an IT person (many windows open, databases, excels, python code, etc). I am using a Wavlink dock (advertises as 2 * 4k capable), and two computers (via USB3+Displaylink):
- Work: HP (Windows)
- Personal: Apple Mac - Non-Retina display - Mid 2012 (and I am planning to refresh this eventually with a newer mac).

Been going round in circle through too many options, curve/non_curve, 27" or 34", 2k or 4k, etc, and I am struggling to make the decision (and be ready for when a discounted offer appears).

So, I wanted to ask your help discerning which would be the best monitors (not rich, but wouldn't like to have to buy monitors again in the short run..).

Thanks in advance.

Computing Computer Peripheral LCD Monitor

Comments

  • oscargamer on 05/09/2021 - 19:36

    AOC 31.5" Q32V3S

  • dandosr on 05/09/2021 - 19:39
    +1

    I went for dual 27 inch 2K Dell monitors on the last sale. And while they are great I can't help but want that little bit extra space.

    • Drakem on 06/09/2021 - 17:43

      Thanks, does that mean if you could go back in time, you'd buy 4k? and on 27 or 32-ish inch size?

      • dandosr on 06/09/2021 - 18:46

        While 4k would increase the work area. My eyes aren't that good and strain as is. Would have increased the monitor size to around the 30-ish inch.

  • freefall101 on 05/09/2021 - 19:54
    +1

    Apple makes it a bit more difficult, because scaling can be a bit average on macos. I found changing from a 1080p 24" to 1440p 27" a pain because everything was smaller (it jumped from 91dpi to 108dpi), I sitting closer to the screen and also it being a bigger screen, which was just uncomfortable. There isn't really scaling options to deal with that besides changing every single app. If you get up to a retina screen there's a lot more options for scaling though.

    For windows I always just find 2x24" perfect, I do report development so a lot of multiple windows up, I prefer two good quality 24" screens rather than an ultrawide widescreen (I find them either not wide enough for two spreadsheets or too flat) and curved is a bit expensive. Mac support of ultrawide monitors is always a little dodgy too, you need to hope that the software that comes with the screen supports macos or find something to buy to do it (there's always a lot around though)

    But the main question is, what's wrong with your current setup that you'd want to change? A lot of it is personal preference, do you find things not sharp enough, not enough desktop area, etc?

    • cauilfield on 05/09/2021 - 21:35

      main reason i moved from windows to mac is that they have no issues with scaling. whenever I go I attach my laptop to any screen and it works out of the box.

      MS have not yet fixed their DPI scaling issue while it has been around for almost 10 years.

    • Drakem on 06/09/2021 - 17:52

      Thanks, all valuable information.
      I currently have a 27inch 1080p (Benq GW2760), and feel it is lacking both definition and realestate.

      Been going through all the valuable inputs, and thought that some options could be:
      2 * 2k 27" (eg Dell's S2721DS)
      2 * 4k 27" (eg Dell's S2721QS)
      1 or 2 * 4k 31"

      Eye to monitor distance is about 40cm today.

      Thanks again.

  • Presence on 05/09/2021 - 19:57
    +3

    Just get 4k, you wont regret it.

    I have a single 4k at home and two FHD at work. I hate going to work now! Looking at big Excel sheets is soooo much easier on 4k.

    • lunchbox99 on 05/09/2021 - 20:09
      +2

      100% I have 27" 4k and 24" 1080p and the 4k is so much clearer. I run it at 125% or 150% scaling (can't remember) under windows 10 so the screen real estate is similar to 1080p but much sharper. 1080p looks so blurry by comparison.

    • Drakem on 06/09/2021 - 17:53

      Thanks :) Even on 27 inch? (or do you think it should be 32 inch?)

  • JDMcarfan on 05/09/2021 - 20:06
    +1

    agreed with above, but I have 2 4k's and its amazing. Excel and various workflows are much easier to review with the extra resolution. If you're going single screen though I'd recommend a 2k ultrawide for a similar experience.

    Like you OP both are connected to a Targus dock and are perfectly fine (no input lag at all). Got the Samsung 28" 4K which despite the poorish reviews have been perfectly acceptable to me and are adequate at gaming. I believe the monitor is now discontinued though as I bought the second one as a part of runout stock at MSY for $350 (first one was $500 at launch)

    • tight-ass on 05/09/2021 - 20:34

      As above, go the dual 4k.

      When I did my research the general consensus was you want 32" of screen real estate minimum for 4k resolution, particularly if you work with CAD drawings, which I do. I occasionally work with Excel spreadsheet & the extra resolution/real estate is great.

      I had a 32" curved 4k monitor initially for my first COVID-19 related WFH stint as it was the only one I could get at the time. As soon as I could I replaced them with flat screens….I reckon curved screens are good for gaming only.

      • JDMcarfan on 05/09/2021 - 21:24
        +1

        good advice! i do think that you may have gotten your values a little wrong, and that is that 32" is generally the optimal resolution for 4k, but not necessarily the min.
        It effectively the point where you maximize real estate with no sacrifice to picture quality, but if you have limited real estate (like me) then opting for a smaller screen with the same res isn't going to do you any harm.

        anything under 32" will have a higher dpi, and thus better picture quality (all things equal) but the difference between a 28 and 32 would be negligible to the normal eye. going way over 32" will not only cost you exponentially more but have the opposite effect where dpi decreases dramatically and picture quality deteriorates.
        As montiors are used at much shorter distances than TV's this drop off would be much more noticeable at say 40".

        Cost is also something to factor 32" 4k seem reasonably priced and comparable to other <32" 4k's.
        27" seems to be the sweet spot and grabbing a deal on the Dell's is never a bad option, with pricing at $300 each during offer periods.

        • tight-ass on 05/09/2021 - 22:05

          Yes you're right - I stand corrected - 32" was the sweet spot / recommended size to get the best out of the 4k resolution

          • Drakem on 06/09/2021 - 17:57

            @tight-ass: Thanks buddy, regarding the "was" in your line above, do you think (today) that 4k is not advisable in 27 inch monitors? I thought I might prefer 2 * 27" instead of 1 * 32"

  • pharkurnell on 05/09/2021 - 20:51

    How big is your desk? 2x 27's wides take up a lot of room..
    I have a pair of 27inch Samsung G5's and they take up most of the desk… add a desktop and desk is full.. printer has to live elsewhere.. currently the floor.

    • Drakem on 06/09/2021 - 17:41
      +1

      Desk is large (like 2m wide), thanks mate

  • stwongy on 05/09/2021 - 22:16
    +1

    i feel like this is dependent on how far you sit from the desk and your own eyes

    i bought a 27 inch 4k monitor and i had eye straining and switched to a 25 inch 2k monitor (which i found on the street lol), and i prefer the latter one much more, even though its less detailed and not as aesthetic for viewing media.

    i found the 4k to be too detailed and it strained my eyes. It felt like my eyes were always having to 'autofocus' and it was tiring. And the 27 inch to just be too wide for my field of vision from how close i sat.

    I think if you see further away from the desk or have a very large desk it may be okay, but i think you kinda have to see these in person to judge.

    • Drakem on 06/09/2021 - 18:03

      Today I use have a 27inch 1080p (Benq GW2760), and eye to monitor distance is about 40cm.

      Desk is large, I could continue at same distance approx with two 27s, or place 2 * 32s at a 80cm/1m distance from my eyes. Unsure if I'll be able to see the detail at such a distance though.

      Thanks a lot.

  • geekcohen on 06/09/2021 - 05:44
    +1

    I replaced 3 x 24" 8 year old monitors with 3 x 27" Dell 4K monitors and they are amazing.

    I went 4K for more the future-proofing the setup.

    • Drakem on 06/09/2021 - 18:05

      Thanks, how far did you place them from your eyes, and what sort of use do you give to them? (and if you don't mind me asking, how did you connect them?) Cheers

  • slow on 06/09/2021 - 08:28
    +1

    I bought a 32 inch 4 K monitor and found the text too small at native resolution, using scaling I couldn't get it to work acceptably after many hours of fiddling with settings. Some apps just didn't like the scaling
    I retuned it and swapped for 32 inch 1440p, which is perfect IMO. I have a 27inch 1440p as a secondary which is also good but prefer the 32 inch

    • Drakem on 06/09/2021 - 18:06

      What sort of work do you do, and what do you connect them to? (mac/windows)

      • slow on 08/09/2021 - 10:21

        IT/finance, a lot of work on large spreadsheets and run several apps via different Citrix and RDS environments (they really didn't like the scaling). Computer is Win10

        That was the advantage of buying from Officeworks - I could try it out for a week and then take it back

    • geekcohen on 07/09/2021 - 08:35
      +1

      I noticed this on my 27" screens and it took some time to adjust but I would never go back. Looking at my laptop, it is too big!

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