Two monitors or 1 ultra wide?

cambsno

cambsno

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Getting my home office setup sorted, currently have a couple of dell 22" screens plus MacBook. Only use the Mac screen for Zoom, and the other two for proper work (normally google docs, excel, Salesforce). Have multiple screens is essential as I often need to enter data on one sheet from another source (salesforce or excel).

1 of the screens goes back to wifes work soon so left with one. Two screens have been fine but tempted by a larger (29 or 34") ultra wide, it appears its easy to split that screen and do what I need to. Anyone done this?
 
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I have the Dell ultrasharp 1440p 34" and use it exactly this way and it's perfect.
 
I've started using a 27" QHD screen at home and now my 22" HD work screen is too small. :p

2 screens for work, I reckon - lets you keep email in one, docs in the other.
 
I went ultra wide as I wanted curved, but that was mainly to bring small numbers on spreadsheets at the side extremities into better view. Works great for movies, plus you are sitting at a nice distance for curved unlike a TV.

I was worried about the curve and photo editing, but I've found my eyes adapt easily and it's now strange when viewing regular monitors! lol Besides, the image being edited is in the middle of the monitor so the curve is minimal, leaving the tools, info etc at the sides and closer to view.

I got the Gigabyte G34WQC Curved 34".
 
I have twin 32 inch 4k monitors and would *highly* recommend it :)

I looked at Ultra wides and all I could find (certainly in my budget) had poor vertical resolution compared to 4k - IIRC most are the same vertical res as HD (1080). So a 4k 22 inch would pack in more Excel than half a 32" widesecreen. Also I find 2 physical monitors just easier to work with - I can max out Excel on one and use the other for everything else.

Whatever you choose, if you get into lots of screen estate the definitely look at Windows (free) PowerToys - the Fancyzone thing is really good for setting up your screen space although the instructions could do with some work.
 
Always go twin of the same size (or 3) lol.. I now use 2 x Dell 2718's although used to use a Dell 3011 & a 2410. All of the screens are great but its a lot easier to use the 2 x 27's than the 30 & 24. Also the balance of the desk is more central - 30's occupy a lot of real estate.

I have used 3 x 2718's, & the 30 with 2 x 27's but its more than was really needed.
 
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Yes, my last setup was 1 X 32 and 2 X 22. 2 X 32 is way easier to use. I find if you have mismatched monitors you almost always use the biggest. With matched they share the workload.
 
I have twin 25" monitors both Dell Ultrasharp. This suits my needs as LR is designed for two screens and with PS, I can have all the pallettes open on the second screen. However, my other responsibilities often requires opening multiple documents. spreadsheets etc.; I would not wish to revert to a single screen. I can see that one large screen might be manageable but I am am certainly happy with two. Recently, my wife demanded a second monitor and is also convinced that this is they way she wishes to work.

Dave
 
2 x dell 2716ud displays here. Had them for 4 years now and to be honest I do not think I could go back to one display even if it is a 32 inches. You get so used to having two displays with all your apps arranged to suit.
 
Decisions decisions !! I do have to consider the size of desk. Really liked the idea of one screen, just one plug into MacBook, which would normally have Slack/Zoom when using them. Am used to (and don't dislike) 2 screens.
 
cambsno said:
Decisions decisions !! I do have to consider the size of desk. Really liked the idea of one screen, just one plug into MacBook, which would normally have Slack/Zoom when using them. Am used to (and don't dislike) 2 screens.
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Take a look at port replicators. I had one and just needed to plug in one usb and a power lead to the laptop instead of connecting each device separately.
 
Rapscallion said:
Take a look at port replicators. I had one and just needed to plug in one usb and a power lead to the laptop instead of connecting each device separately.
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Am not sure they are Mac compatible. every one I have seem is pc only
 
cambsno said:
Am not sure they are Mac compatible. every one I have seem is pc only
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Plenty to choose from

www.macworld.co.uk

Best Thunderbolt and USB-C docking stations for your MacBook

Use your MacBook/Air/Pro just like a desktop by adding multiple ports in an easy-to-connect setup
www.macworld.co.uk www.macworld.co.uk

I can't see any cheap ones on there but that's (1) docks - they seem to cost more than you expect and (2) Macs :)

Do bear in mind that on most (and especially the cheap ones) you can't generally use all the video out ports at once. I use this to add an extra 4K monitor to mu laptop - laptop plugs into Dell dock which runs 1 X 32inch 4k, this also plugs into the dock to run the other.

 
Think I have decided on a 1 screen setup - I have seen these but worry its a bit 'cheap' - as in all the other 43" are almost twice the price https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/ele...curved-monitor-eiq-43cvsuwd120fsh/version.asp

It will be rare I use it for video or photos (and I would resort to my MBP for anything like that) or gaming. It will be for webcam/Microsoft Office/Google Sheets/CRM/email/web so business style apps in the main, using multiple windows. Hence I don't need an all singing/dancing one. To those that understand these things, any pitfalls to be aware of or worth getting?
 
Biggest pitfall is that it's a VA panel, which means that the colours and brightness will not changes considerably with viewing angle, and even with the curve you're going to have dark sides. I had a 32" Samsung panel recently with VA, and despite makers claims, it wasn't near acceptable quality. I gave that as my reason for return and they took it back without quibbling.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Biggest pitfall is that it's a VA panel, which means that the colours and brightness will not changes considerably with viewing angle, and even with the curve you're going to have dark sides. I had a 32" Samsung panel recently with VA, and despite makers claims, it wasn't near acceptable quality. I gave that as my reason for return and they took it back without quibbling.
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Is that an issue for what I will be using? I am not sure what I currently have but one is at least a 2/3 yo base Dell monitor so it can't be any worse than that?
 
cambsno said:
Is that an issue for what I will be using? I am not sure what I currently have but one is at least a 2/3 yo base Dell monitor so it can't be any worse than that?
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I would check that you can return it (distance selling regs may be useful) if you don't like it, just as I did. Make sure you keep the packaging as undamaged as possible so that if you aren't happy it can go back in the box and they can re-sell it without major loss. OTOH you might fall in love - VA panels have a much greater contrast range than IPS.

Dell screens have an excellent reputation, and even the budget 1080P screen I use at work is good - you might well find your Dell to be significantly better.
 
cambsno said:
Is that an issue for what I will be using? I am not sure what I currently have but one is at least a 2/3 yo base Dell monitor so it can't be any worse than that?
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see my post earlier no.9 Dell's are good monitors.
 
Most of these things come down to personal preference, as long as you have sufficient real estate to show what you want to see, you will be able to use whatever you have. My personal preference is to have two monitors as this provides certainty of location (most image software understands a two screen setup in ways that make your (ok, my) life easier, single screen without additional management software can be more fluid. Another benefit to me is, when sharing screens for videoconf, you always know what is happening and which screen people are looking at (and, not looking at) Sharing app window can be more flaky. I bought two used narrow bezel Eizo monitors from this bunch https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/fgddirect?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 and I've been very happy indeed with them.
 
Ham said:
Most of these things come down to personal preference, as long as you have sufficient real estate to show what you want to see, you will be able to use whatever you have. My personal preference is to have two monitors as this provides certainty of location (most image software understands a two screen setup in ways that make your (ok, my) life easier, single screen without additional management software can be more fluid. Another benefit to me is, when sharing screens for videoconf, you always know what is happening and which screen people are looking at (and, not looking at) Sharing app window can be more flaky. I bought two used narrow bezel Eizo monitors from this bunch https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/fgddirect?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 and I've been very happy indeed with them.
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That is one thing I had not considered - I do screen share, but in zoom I can select the window as well as the screen so should be ok.
 
cambsno said:
That is one thing I had not considered - I do screen share, but in zoom I can select the window as well as the screen so should be ok.
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Bearing in mind what I said - that really it will be personal preference - when choosing you should be aware that while app sharing window does work, it doesn't always work as you want. The main issues is around getting the viewers to see what they need. They will see the app window that you can see, no more, no less. They may not have as high resolution monitor or eyesight as you, so bear that in mind when sizing the window and choosing resolution - all of a sudden arranging your single screen becomes quite complex. Don't get me started about when there are two windows to the app, like Powerpoint..... Also, if you have any window pop up over the window that is being viewed, that will appear as a greyed out hatched rectangle to your viewers. Much easier to clear one screen, put up an interesting photo as wallpaper (oo -that's a nice <thing> is a great conversation opener) and share that screen, so if screen share is important to you as it is to me, it does signify a two monitor setup can be better. Not essential, as there is software that will fool the OS into thinking you have two screens, but that's another layer.
 
I should add, the big advantage of app window sharing is that you can't inadvertently share something you really didn't want to, so if watching porn during work hours is your preference, or slagging off your boss in chats, screen share may not be for you.
 
So, got the 43" above (its massive!!) but have an issue. It works fine with my new MacBook but on my 2013 one the screen is stretched sideways so text (and anything else) looks awful. You know when you resize a pic using the side but rather than the corner! Anyway, it appears its down to the age of the MacBook and supported displays.

The old mabook worked fine on the two old standard screens I had so does that mean that my old MacBook will not work with any widescreen (even a better quality 34") so my choice is keep this screen and use my new MacBook, or get a smaller widescreen/normal displays if I want to use my old one. It sounds like its a computer rather than monitor issue.
 
cambsno said:
So, got the 43" above (its massive!!) but have an issue. It works fine with my new MacBook but on my 2013 one the screen is stretched sideways so text (and anything else) looks awful. You know when you resize a pic using the side but rather than the corner! Anyway, it appears its down to the age of the MacBook and supported displays.

The old mabook worked fine on the two old standard screens I had so does that mean that my old MacBook will not work with any widescreen (even a better quality 34") so my choice is keep this screen and use my new MacBook, or get a smaller widescreen/normal displays if I want to use my old one. It sounds like its a computer rather than monitor issue.
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you could try switchresX and see if that works.
 
See my above link for a usb graphics card. This may fix it though I DON'T KNOW IF IT WORKS ON A MAC.
 
cambsno said:
So, got the 43" above (its massive!!) but have an issue. It works fine with my new MacBook but on my 2013 one the screen is stretched sideways so text (and anything else) looks awful. You know when you resize a pic using the side but rather than the corner! Anyway, it appears its down to the age of the MacBook and supported displays.

The old mabook worked fine on the two old standard screens I had so does that mean that my old MacBook will not work with any widescreen (even a better quality 34") so my choice is keep this screen and use my new MacBook, or get a smaller widescreen/normal displays if I want to use my old one. It sounds like its a computer rather than monitor issue.
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Probably not too late to still return it. 1200px per 0.5m and curved. Just do it
 
Nikon f1.8 said:
you could try switchresX and see if that works.
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Thanks will take a look. Its not the end of the world - just me wanting to save my shiny new MBP for 'best'!!! Used a DP to USB-C today and tweaked the settings and looks fine (had over sharpened it before). For basic work functions its fine.
 
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