Monitor size (dual monitors)

[penfold]

I am currently mostly based at WFH and I have a monitor provided by work which is 24in. I also have my own personal one and I currently run a dual monitor setup but since I had this new monitor it has made me realise just how bad mine is. As a result I'm looking to invest in a new monitor and if I was running a single display I would be looking to invest in something a little bigger. However, because I have a work monitor which is 24, I am wondering if I should stick to the same size or I can get a 27in and run both at the same time.

 

I have the space on my desk, but as I have always worked with dual display at 24 in, I am not sure if the difference in size would be something that would be annoying having 2 different sizes and using them everyday. So does anyone have any advice or experience with running dual displays at different sizes? I see many people in the office running with 2 or 3 screens and using their laptop, but the difference between a laptop screen and monitor is far too big for me to use. I am not sure if the difference between 24-27 is something I would notice as much.

[Sheridan]

I used to run 2*24" monitors in dual display when in the office, since WFH I bought myself a single 34" curved monitor and its way better in my opinion

 

Obviously personal preference applies, but the windows management in Win11 is great so I find a single large monitor much easier to deal with

 

Got it on Marketplace as well - so the cost wasn't too bad

[DalekSec]

Personally 1 ultrawide over 2 monitors.

 

We have a mix here but anyone using 2 monitors have 2 24" ones and works ok! But much prefer a Ultrawide with an inbuilt dock!

Edited January 12, 2024 by DalekSec

[Sheridan]

My pet peeve when I installed dual 24's around the offices is that 5 minutes later the two monitors were misaligned - no matter how neatly I installed them they would be fiddled around with and end up with gaps/height differences that did my head in!

[MartinT]

Dual 24" plus the Surface screen at work, single 27" at home. The home Windows 11 multiple desktops comes in handy for keeping work and home screens separate.

[penfold]

I prefer 2 dual display to 1 large one to be honest. Especially when it comes to screen sharing over calls. I tend to always use the same monitor to share (I know you can share the windows and I really should start doing this after sharing something I shouldn't have ). I tend to have specific uses for each monitor. And I don't have the room to run 1 large monitor and the 24in one. Plus there is the extra cost of getting the image quality on a larger screen.

 

Monitors being slightly out is OK. Currently mine are as I am not able to adjust the height of mine and I've been working this way over a year. But normally I was like you @Sheridan - I like to have the alignment the same, but it seems if it is slightly out I am now used to it.

Edited January 12, 2024 by penfold

[Davit2005]

I would say a bigger wide screen however I do a few of videos with screen capture (OBS) and it is easier to deal with separate displays I find. I have 2 x 24" currently stacked (the top one is upside down to allow closer positioning, windows has the display flipped in the settings). Edited January 12, 2024 by Davit2005

[charlie13561]

I use 2 monitors a 22" and a 24", 1 in portrait (Documents) and 1 in landscape (Web), it works for me.

[Sheridan]

I've actually got a second 22" inch screen that is on an arm - because of limited space on my desk it swings behind the 34" monitor when not in use, and I can pivot it out when I want to have another screen (usually if I've got another laptop/pc I'm working on)

 

The arm also lets me rotate the 22" into portrait, but I only used that for rare specific cases!

[jthompson]

If you're running Windows and opting for one big display, the FancyZones feature of PowerToys may be helpful in jazzing up the window snapping options. I'm used to using dual displays, but with Windows window/desktop management deatures gradually creeping forwards now, one big display seems more viable.

[penfold]

I didn't realise a bigger screen was so popular for work!! I always found 2 screens to have more "floor space" than a single large screen. There is no way I can afford a single screen which has the same screen size as 2 duals!!

[FN-GM]

I have 2 x 32” ultra wides at work. At home I have 1 x 24”. The screen at home is perfectly fine but feels awful compared to my work screens! I have been spoilt.

[LeMarchand]

1 have 3x22" monitors at my main sites and 2x22" due to lack of space and my "only a few hours" one. I'd go to 24" if I had 'em.

 

Each extra monitor shows that I am working extra hard .

[APMerry]

2 monitors the same size looks better, but if you're buying new I'd definitely go for bigger, especially if you're spending all day on it. I have a 32inch curved as my main display with a 22 inch next to it. The 22 generally just has my emails open on it unless I need to use 2 screens. It's also useful it you're following a video tutorial or something like that.

[Rob_D]

I ran mismatched monitors when I was younger (each time I upgraded the older one). It's perfectly useable and did me fine for years. But having been on matched monitors for many years, I wouldn't want to go back.

 

If you do want to go up a size then I'd also look at upping the resolution if your device supports it. Personally, I didn't feel 27" 1080p feels a big upgrade from 24" 1080p, but going to 27" 1440p felt way roomier.

[DrCheese]

At work, I have 2 x 27 1440p displays - Works fine

 

At home tho, I have 1 x 32inch 4k and 1 x 27 4k - I love the massive size for playing games on. I did briefly nick the bedrooom TV (32 inch) and try out dual 32 inch displays but that was.. overkill & the text was hard to read at such a far distance!

Figured all I use it for at home is dumping some task off the side whist I do other stuff so it's not the end of the world that they're not the same size

[CHiLL]

We have 3x 24" 1440p monitors and it's improved our productivity.

[penfold]

I ran mismatched monitors when I was younger (each time I upgraded the older one). It's perfectly useable and did me fine for years. But having been on matched monitors for many years, I wouldn't want to go back.

 

If you do want to go up a size then I'd also look at upping the resolution if your device supports it. Personally, I didn't feel 27" 1080p feels a big upgrade from 24" 1080p, but going to 27" 1440p felt way roomier.

The monitor I will be replacing is 24 1080p. I am looking to go to 1440p which will match my 2nd one. Although, from what people are saying on here, I think I will be looking at 27" now

[Rob_D]

The monitor I will be replacing is 24 1080p. I am looking to go to 1440p which will match my 2nd one. Although, from what people are saying on here, I think I will be looking at 27" now

Nice, 27" 1440p is generally considered as hitting the DPI sweet spot.

[mrnoisy]

2 x 27” at work, just updated from 24”. much better for my failing eyesight.

 

Curved 49” ultrawide at home [emoji106]

[Mr.Ben]

I have 3x 27" monitors, 2x curved 1080p and one 4k

[flyinghaggis]

As others have said I've tried multiple monitor setups, and currently have dual 24" 1080p screens on my workstation at work, but never really liked the layout. I've personally always found that multiple 24" monitors are too wide to use comfortably/practically.

 

I've used a 34" (3440x1440) Ultrawide Monitor at home for the past 7-8 years and find it far more comfortable and convenient than multple displays. I also have a 13" laptop on a stand which I occasionally use as a seconday monitor alongside my ultrawide if I ever need an additional display.

Edited January 18, 2024 by flyinghaggis

[penfold]

In the end I got a 27" next to my 24 work monitor. Now I want a second 27" :doh:

 

On a more serious note, I am finding it is a huge improvement, but this is probably down to the increase in resolution rather than the size. I would have probably been fine with another 24", but I had some vouchers so went for 27 for no real extra money. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

[robjduk]

I've gone to single 28" 4k screen. I used to love multiscreen but find I just either use one solely for email or push a ton of windows to the second and continue working.

[MatthewL]

We have 24" as standard at work, dual screen linked so 1 cable to the desk which works perfect.

 

I had misamatched 24" at home till the other year which I hate, now runs a dual 27" setup which is big enough, wouldn't want anything bigger. I do prefer the two screens not sure if I could do to 1 big one or curved but happy with what I've got.