Monitor Size for Productivity (+ Possibly Gaming)

ForkSnorter on 19/07/2024 - 08:40

Just wondering what monitor size Ozbargainers recommend for productivity, with possibly some gaming use and/or video editing in future: 27 inch, 32 inch or 34 inch.

There are posts/articles all over the internet asserting that a larger monitor tends to improve productivity.

Currently I have a 24-inch monitor for work, and a 23-inch monitor for personal stuff (studying, practicing programming, media consumption, shopping), but I frequently find myself running out of screen real estate.

Apparently 32-inch monitors have more screen area than 34-inch monitors, which suggests 34 inches is a bit overkill in terms of length.

For reference, my desk size is 150cm x 70cm.

I would also appreciate any recommendations for cable management trays/systems at the back of the desk.
Thanks

Poll Options

  • 10
    27-inch monitor
  • 17
    32-inch monitor
  • 7
    34-inch monitor
  • 14
    Something even larger
  • 33
    Two 27-inch monitors
Computing Computer Peripheral LCD Monitor

Comments

  • boomramada on 19/07/2024 - 08:54

    Productivity != Possibly Gaming

  • geekcohen on 19/07/2024 - 08:57
    +1

    I had gone from 2 x 24s to 3 x 24s and then upgraded to 3 x 27s. The 27s was a huge different, much bigger resolution and easier when multi-tasking. Even having two windows in 50/50 on one screen is big enough.

    I don't do any gaming, but a lot of Web Development work. I have 1 monitor dedicated to Slack and Google Meet or Spotify. 1 in the middle is my main monitor for emails and my primary stuff. 3rd screen is for FTP/SSH windows or anything else that I am working on.

    I have the same size desk.

    I have used 1 single 32 inch and it was so crap. It was either too big or in 50/50 screen it was too small. This was in my previous job when working in the office. I was much more efficient at home with 3 screens.

    • ForkSnorter on 19/07/2024 - 08:59

      Thanks. Do you need a pretty deep desk with 3 x 27 inch monitors?

      • geekcohen on 19/07/2024 - 09:11

        Mine is the same desk size desk as you have mention and it isn't actually too bad. I am trying to find a photo without a messy desk, but I cannot find it.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 19/07/2024 - 09:07

    I’ve personally always toyed with the idea of doing away with 2 screens and going a 42 inch wall mounted tv like LG 42” 4K OLED 42C2, then prob using software to split it up into zones if required…

    • geekcohen on 19/07/2024 - 09:12
      +3

      I did a 32-inch with the software (it was an LG screen and it had its own software), it was so frustrating and I hated it. Much preferred the individual screens, but that is just me.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2024 - 09:54
      +1

      I am typing this from a 42C2 with a 24 inch monitor next to it.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 19/07/2024 - 10:34

        Damn now that’s some screen real estate

        I’ve always wondered when dual wielding a combo like that how far do you sit? Like is the smaller monitor heaps closer? I kinda thought the 42c2 would have to be like 50cm away

        • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2024 - 10:37
          +1

          70 cms eye to screen. Its good when i have to use winmerge etc and helps display a lot of code at once.

  • AustriaBargain on 19/07/2024 - 09:30
    +1

    Get like 37+ inch or so curved display.

  • JDMcarfan on 19/07/2024 - 09:47
    +1

    i have 2 28s but find having 4k on both to be the best value add
    can easily zoom out on spreadsheets whilst still being able to see clearly

  • CyberMurning on 19/07/2024 - 09:57

    Monitor Size for Productivity
    as big as your desk and wallet allows - 4k of course.
    dont worry too big (im talking normal reasonable size not 85" !) - the next month you will feel they are not big anymore.

  • CyberMurning on 19/07/2024 - 10:00
    +3

    problem with having big 4k screen is, when you have to share screen (teams app) and your mates monitor is FHD only, they wont be able to see anything….. all becomes tiny on their screen….

    • geekcohen on 19/07/2024 - 11:15

      Ctrl + Scroll on Mouse fixes that quickly if you are using a web browser. It's only temporary.

      Just makes it hard when you are sharing your full screen and not a tab/window.

      • CyberMurning on 19/07/2024 - 11:38

        Nope im sharing internal applications, and multiples excels, pdf so basically sharing whole screen

    • askbargain on 19/07/2024 - 12:34

      just share your laptop screen

      • CyberMurning on 19/07/2024 - 13:32

        But then i will be strugling to fit a software or two on it, plus one excel and pdf to show or train prople….. Laptop is 14" fhd… i know… world class problem

        • askbargain on 19/07/2024 - 19:32

          lowest common denominator. if you can't fit 2 windows, they can't see your 2 windows on your big screen.

  • barge-in hunter on 19/07/2024 - 10:05
    +3

    Just remember to consider DPI. Regardless of resolution, this essentially tells you the physical scale of images and text. Mismatching the size of text across your screens drives me crazy, regardless of size or resolution.

    I had 2 x 27 qhd screens and it was great for productivity- but having a join right in the middle of my viewing space was annoying, and if I put one off to the side I found it awkward to view.

    Now I run 1 x 34” uwqhd in front of me, and am reusing one of the 27” qhds to the side - but in a vertical orientation. I like the vertical screen, but it probably doesn’t need to be 27” - this setup is perfect for 2-3 windows open in front of me, and my email/slack/teams etc off to the side

  • pharkurnell on 19/07/2024 - 10:10
    +1

    What exactly are you doing that you run out of real estate? Spreadsheets? Word docs? etc?

    Everyone will have different requirements/likes/hates and size/resolutions… What works for JV wont work for anyone else.

    FWIW - 2560x1440 is a decent leap from 1920x1080

  • erasimos on 19/07/2024 - 11:11

    For such a shallow desk 27" uhd is the limit for me. Windows 11 has some decent screen splitting but pressing full screen will take over the whole monitor rather than its allocated corner.

    24" FHD isn't great at that distance either for the opposite reasons.

    Worth considering a curved ultrawide with qhd vertical resolution. You can get fast refresh and extra pixels.

  • Scandrew on 19/07/2024 - 11:34
    +2

    I use, enjoy and can recommend a UWQHD (3440x1440) for office work/gaming.

    Apparently it's the equivalent of two 27" (1440) so whether you prefer two separate screens vs one, etc.

  • CyberMurning on 19/07/2024 - 11:40

    I feel minimum of 32" 4k is a must for office work if you work with xls pdf doc etc.
    But i now i want 38" 6k curves

  • Gojkins on 19/07/2024 - 12:02
    +1

    34"
    21:9
    3,440 x 1,440

    • OBEY YOUR MASTERS on 20/07/2024 - 07:22
      +1

      High refresh rate 34 inch ultrawide. Cant go wrong.

  • LanceVance on 19/07/2024 - 12:32

    32 inch 4K is the sweet spot IMO, upgraded from 32 inch HD and made a huge difference.
    I run 3 screens, laptop screen to the left, 32 inch 4k in the middle and 22 inch vertical to the right.

  • bmxr on 19/07/2024 - 12:33

    1 x 14" portable on a perspex riser, from the numerous OZB deals (Teams sits on this all day)
    1 x 14" 4k laptop on a perspex riser (Outlook sits on this all day)
    1 x 32" 1440p 144hz (for main work screen)
    1 x 27" 4K 60hz (for browsers and other apps/PDFs)

    32" and 27" are connected to a DP switch to jump between work laptop and gaming rig with a single click. Depending upon which game, will determine which monitor to use. 144hz for FPS, 4K for slower, more graphic games.

  • phcyso on 19/07/2024 - 15:56

    I absolutely love and recommend the Dell 38" curved ones.

    It's like having two 24's side by side without a bezel down the middle, with a good window manager( Rectangle on the macs )

    It also depends a bunch on what computers you use and how they connect to the screen.
    I use two MacBooks and a Windows machine and the only cable switching I need to do is to swap one usb-c cable between the mac laptops and all my USB peripherals are plugged into the monitor and swap to the active computer.

  • The Wololo Wombat on 19/07/2024 - 15:57

    4-5 of these should work well

  • Ugly on 19/07/2024 - 18:59

    I have 3 x 32” curved monitors, but I deal with a lot of construction plans. 32” is a perfect size for displaying A3 plans.

    A bonus is that it doubles as a great setup for racing / flight sims when I’m not working.

  • Leiothrix on 20/07/2024 - 08:07

    I have a pair of Dell Ultrasharp 27" 2560x1440 monitors and it is fantastic.

    Each monitor can have two windows side-by-side so you can have four things up at once that are still useful.

    And I deliberately got a 1440p monitor over 4k because it is perfect at its native resolution. Spending more on a higher resolution to just scale it down again seems a bit silly to me.

    I recommend a stand to hold both of them. It keeps them in the right spot, makes it take up less room on your desk and you can push the screens back further.

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