Maximize Pixels on limited Desk

[jvsfms]

I'm in the process of upgrading my monitors - major use is SW development with Web Browsing as necessary (docs, etc). I currently have a VP201s (1600x1200) and a 2443bw (1920x1200) next to each other, both in landscape - which is sub-optimal because both of them angle away from me to meet in the center of my viewing area.

I believe that my overall goal should be to maximize available screen real estate within comfortable viewing distance. I've already purchased two ZR22W (1920x1080) screens and am debating the remaining configuration. Price is a consideration, but not a huge one.

I am debating a new U3011 in landscape flanked with the ZR22Ws in portrait mode on the sides. However, with the width of the U3011 at over 27 inches, I'm worried that the two ZR22Ws on the sides won't fit on the desk (5'), or won't be comfortably visible at that distance.

The alternative (and my original approach) was to put two additional ZR22W's in landscape mode (one over the other) in the center with the other two ZR22W's on the side. With a width of only 20 inches, it seems like the ZR22W on the sizes will be much more usable. This approach is quite a bit cheaper (especially since I already have the dual mount stand for the center) and uses significantly less power (not heating the room quite a much). Also, the pixel pitch will match exactly. The drawback is obviously the horizontal bezels directly through the center of the viewing area.

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts before pulling the trigger on the final monitors. Thanks !

 

[RaynQuist]

I'm a coder with 3 monitors. My advice to you is to hold off buying any more monitors for now, and try out various 4-monitor configurations with the monitors you have first. Everybody works differently, and you really need to figure out for yourself how you work best. With the amount of pixels we're talking here, you have many many different window arrangements to choose from. One thing to note is that the effort and time required to move your mouse becomes non-trivial with such a large workspace. Say if you want to put your code on the right portrait monitor and put your browser on the left portrait monitor, I guarantee you will be very sick of moving your mouse (and your head) across your center monitor. You will ideally want to place your frequently used windows close together and close to the center. Your code will probably take up at least an entire portrait monitor. The all the other views like the file view, class view, output view, debug view and breakpoint view will take up at least half of an adjacent monitor. Then you gotta decide where to put your taskbar, icons, browser, folder windows, application window, source control, email, IM, code review / diff, or whatever else you use to write your code. After that you gotta figure out how to adapt the arrangement to your current workload, like if you wanted another code window or another browser window where can they go. All of these will come with experience, and since you already have 4 monitors, I'd say try them out first. After you get a good idea of how your work best, then you'll know what really bothers you about your setup and what monitor you need to buy to fix it.

As for the specific points:
- DPI mismatch doesn't bother me, but you should already know how you feel about this from experience.
- Bezel in the middle doesn't bother me. I rarely focus on more than 1 monitor at a time. It's not like in gaming where you're looking at the "big picture".
- Consider using desk mounts for the side monitors that don't fit on your desk.
- Consider investing in a larger desk. Monitors are long-term investments, but desks are even moreso. Having a larger desk will allow you to invest in 24, 27, or 30 inchers.
- As I alluded before, IMO the 2 portrait monitors should be next to each other. One for primary code, the other one for secondary code or browser. They also work nicely together when doing side-by-side code comparisons.
- If you're just coding, why buy U3011? ZR30W is cheaper.
- Dell SP2309W / Acer B233HU have more pixels than ZR22W at a slightly lower density: 23" 2048x1152 TN

 

[jvsfms]

RaynQuist - thank you for the -very- thoughtful response. You've brought up a number of excellent points that I need to ponder thoroughly. ... and you are correct, I already have a pixel pitch difference that hasn't bothered me much.

I'm even tempted to go with all monitors in portrait orientation, but can't deal with the BIOS/Kernel boot messages all being sideways. I -think- I saw a monitor recently that uses (presumably) a mercury switch to swap the native resolution based on orientation. Maybe I'll see if I can find that guy again ...