What's it like to do work on a large screen?

TDevlin

TDevlin

TDevlin

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Soon I'll be giving up my laptop and building myself a gaming pc, and with that I'll be buying a monitor as well.

The problem is though what size do I get. If I was just going to play games and surf the internet I'd probably go with the bigger the better, but as I'll also be using it for working on accounting software, excel etc, I'm not sure what to get.

I've only ever worked on a smaller screen 15-17", so what's everyone's opinions on this. Is working on a larger screen fine?
 
It's a great experience and you'll be used to it in no time and wonder how on earth you got any work done on a 15". I worked for years on a 15" and then 13" Macbook Pro but switched to a desktop a few months ago. I have a 27" screen and now I even have a second 23" screen next to it. It depends on the work you do but it certainly made me much more productive. Worth the investment.
I suggest you get at least a 23"or 24" screen.
 
That's good to know, I just had a feeling I'd have to make a choice and compromise by getting something in between like a 19-21" screen, but if its all good, a big screen it is. Think I will take your advice with the 23-24" screen.
 
A few years back i went from a 18" to 24", at first it was strange but soon got used to the size and now would not look back.
 
I suspect it'll be very strange, still cant imagine spreadsheets on a 24" screen or bigger. But glad to know it's workable and even better than a small screen.
 
You think that a 24" screen is more than you can possibly use now, but soon you'll have a second screen for your e-mails and be wondering why your desk isn't big enough for a third screen to watch video's on too!
 
The thing you have to keep in mind is in terms of usable desktop space it is all about resolution and not screen size in itself. I was initially a bit disappointed when I discovered that moving from a 13" to a 27" I did not gain 4 times the amount of space, even though my MBP screen could actually physically fit 4 times in that big screen. In other words compare the resolution of your current laptop with whatever new screen you will buy and you will see they won't be that far off each other.
I was working this afternoon with some Premier Leagues games streaming on my second screen... I am already annoyed that I could only use my one 27" screen for work, so a 3rd screen is tempting! (well, no desk space so not an option)
 
good point about the resolution, I'd never even given it a thought about desktop space in relation to resolution. My current laptop screen is 1440x900 and I'd probably be getting a 1920x1080 screen, so even that moderate increase should be beneficial.
 
When I got my 30" screen, it took me a lot of getting used to from the previous 22" CRT, however, within a week I adjusted very well and if I went smaller, it would have to be some amazing screen to tempt me back!
 
Just thought about another quick question. Currently the screen I use sits just over 2 foot in front of my eyes, and the furthest back I could put it on my desk is 3 foot.

Is a 24" screen fine or even a 27" screen fine at this distance or is it just way to close. It's just that I sat that close to my 32" tv and that would be definite overkill for both gaming and working.
 
TDevlin said:
Just thought about another quick question. Currently the screen I use sits just over 2 foot in front of my eyes, and the furthest back I could put it on my desk is 3 foot.

Is a 24" screen fine or even a 27" screen fine at this distance or is it just way to close. It's just that I sat that close to my 32" tv and that would be definite overkill for both gaming and working.
Click to expand...

3 foot should be fine, certainly for a 24". With my 27" I found out I had eye strain when used for long periods but that has gone completely as I got used to it and I now use a programme called F.lux that makes the colours a bit more orangey at night, and that really helps a lot somehow. Maybe stick with a 24" to be on the safe side.
 
Having a larger screen is great, my HZ27WC has high resolution, great pixel density and almost 80% more workspace than standard "Full HD" monitors.

I also sit 2' from it most of the time, except for when I sit further back watching movies or playing some games with a controller.

It would be very uncomfortable moving to a smaller screen now.
 
That's all very good to know as I was sure I'd have to make a compromise when it came to screen size. But if working on a large screen is great and the distance won't be a problem, I'll be able to treat myself to a nice big screen for gaming. Maybe even a 27" 2560x1440 one if I can dig deep enough in my pockets.
 
1024x768 that would be awesome compared to how I'm running games on my laptop. Tried playing a game that's been out quite a while (dragon age origins) and I'm running it at 800x600 or it's pretty much unplayable. Definitely time for an upgrade :)
 
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