[John Michael Kane]

Currently, I have two 1920x1080, 24" monitors in dual screen setup. I use it for my day job, but I've had my eye on upgrading my PC rig to 4K for the sole purpose of grabbing a single large screen, and getting rid of my dual screens, as the bezel in the middle of the setup is annoying when you're dragging windows around.

Here's the Wasabi Mango:

Some discussion on this monitor:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1554580/got-a...sts-to-run

I'm not a huge PC gamer, so refresh rate isn't the biggest thing for me, as I'm going to be a larger monitor or TV for productivity or occasional movie watching. Has anyone here bought a 40" or larger monitor (or TV) and used it for their PC rig? What's your experience been using a bigger screen? Is it 4k? Thoughts?

[SlickyBoy]

For work it might not be worth the extra expense of a 4k monitor unless it reduces eye strain or you work with video, perhaps. It's probably geared more towards video watching.

As for multi-monitor setups, unless you are day trading (which I seriously hope you are not) or have a game which requires it, you may find more than two monitors a bit of overkill. Everyone I know who's tried going from one monitor to two loves it, but beyond that it reaches a point of diminishing returns. I just sold one of mine after using three monitors for a while - took up too much desk space anyway. I could never go back to just one big one. Two helps organize things a bit, I find.

[John Michael Kane]

Nope, not into day trading. I work in content creation, web development and other areas where extra screen real estate can simplify workflows and speed up your process. You're running a two monitor setup, do you have any particular software that keeps things sorted, or just the standard graphics card drivers/monitor software?

[General Stalin]

If you like the versatility and real estate of having multiple displays, then having one large one is not going to be an adequite replacement. The reason being this monitor is just sill just a single 16:9 display - albeit a larger one. If you like having multiple windows open at the same time, you will have to manually adjust the window size to fit next to eachother on a single desktop display, and they will have to be a sort of portrait orientation (taller than they are wide).

The only good a 4k screen will do you is having higher resolution. This will give you sharper picture, but if you are trying to read small font, the higher resolution will just make it look a lot smaller unless you are sitting close.

[Ensam]

Multi-monitor setups are great for coding. I got a 4K thinking I'd switch to a single monitor but now I use the 4K and a 1920x1280 side by side. I do my coding on the 4k monitor and do command line tasks on the 1920x1280.

[John Michael Kane]

General Stalin,



http://www.techrepublic.com/article/snap...indows-10/

Windows 10 has built-in quadrant control, so the need to manually drag and re-size windows shouldn't be an issue. (Unless you're running an older version of Windows?)

I don't mind sitting relatively close to the monitor, maybe two feet. I have 20/20 vision, so squinting isn't a problem.

(04-30-2016 01:58 PM)Ensam Wrote:  

Multi-monitor setups are great for coding. I got a 4K thinking I'd switch to a single monitor but now I use the 4K and a 1920x1280 side by side. I do my coding on the 4k monitor and do command line tasks on the 1920x1280.

What are the sizes of your two screens?

[Ensam]

(04-30-2016 02:01 PM)John Michael Kane Wrote:  

(04-30-2016 01:58 PM)Ensam Wrote:  

Multi-monitor setups are great for coding. I got a 4K thinking I'd switch to a single monitor but now I use the 4K and a 1920x1280 side by side. I do my coding on the 4k monitor and do command line tasks on the 1920x1280.

What are the sizes of your two screens?

The 4k is 28 inches and the 1920x1280 is 23 inches.

[weambulance]

What about getting an ultrawide monitor, instead of a 4K? I prefer two vertically stacked monitors over a large 16:9, but I'd like to try out one of the ultrawide IPS screens at some point.

[John Michael Kane]

(04-30-2016 03:01 PM)weambulance Wrote:  

What about getting an ultrawide monitor, instead of a 4K? I prefer two vertically stacked monitors over a large 16:9, but I'd like to try out one of the ultrawide IPS screens at some point.

I had a 21:9 ratio LG 29" monitor for a while, this unit here. It looks just fine, and is alright for putting between 3 and 4 documents side by side. That being said, it doesn't have the pixel density of 4k monitors, which is something I'm going for, especially if the screen is also large enough to double as a TV for use with Roku, Chromecast, etc.

[RoastBeefCurtains4Me]

I have a 55" 4K TV that I got on clearance for $500. I intended to use it like this. I've found that what Stalin said is true. First of all, the top of the TV is too high. You have to look up to see it. Likewise, the bottom of the TV is too low.

Secondly, most content is made to display with a certain pixel density. If you open a standard word document with 100% scaling, or do the same for a browser window, the text will be way too small to read. You have to zoom everything up to about 300% to see it well. Going back to the first point, you might thing you could compensate for the size of the TV, by having it about 4' away instead of a more typical 2 ft. However, now the problem of window sizing is even worse.

As Stalin said, Windows is not really setup to tile a bunch of things over such a large screen. If you want to do this, you have to manually zoom and size every window, and then you're still stuck with the fact that some of the content is on the screen over a foot above your eye level. Sad!

I will say, the detail is fantastic. You can open google maps in Satellite view, and get an incredibly detailed scene. Most photos nowadays are 8-12 megapixels, but a normal HD screen is only two megapixels. It's amazing to open a picture, and see it 55 inches wide (diagonal actually) with true pixel to pixel detail.

Also, I tried opening a spreadsheet. You know how some spreadsheets have too many columns to fit on a normal display? It never really looks right to spread them over multiple displays. Well, it works great on a 4K display.

My long term plan is to setup my office so I can connect to the 4K TV and use it for content that really benefits from it, and use an ordinary monitor otherwise.

Also, you need a recent and powerful video card to drive a 4K TV at 60 Hz. Check your video card before you buy, or you might find you're stuck with 30 Hz max, or even worse.

[John Michael Kane]

@RoastBeef:

The screen I linked to in the first post was a 42". The 55" one you have seems even more huge, so I can see how you'd have to really pan and tilt your head to take in the extremities of the screen. You said your long-term plan is to replace the 55" for daily monitor usage, but with what size? What size do you think would be a good balance between how close you can sit to it and still be usable for most purposes? Good point regarding videocards. I'm in the market for a higher-end one anyways, one that will have Display Port which can drive 4k @ 60hz.

[RatInTheWoods]

Would it be too baller to get a pari of 4K monitors? :-)

[RexImperator]

I think in the future they should bring back drafting tables that are actually made of a huge display monitor for doing CAD work. (Picture something like a 36" wide iPad with Retina display.)

TVs may not have the best refresh rate compared to computer monitors.

[John Michael Kane]

(04-30-2016 08:04 PM)RatInTheWoods Wrote:  

Would it be too baller to get a pari of 4K monitors? :-)

Perhaps if you were doing some really crazy video or audio editing, or perhaps a huge coding project. I can't imagine how that could be useful otherwise, especially for gaming, unless you had one heck of a rig to power them. But then again, some people just like the "cool factor", so there's always that.

[hydrogonian]

A 24" 1920X monitor has about perfect pixel pitch. Larger monitors in 1920 aren't ideal. I'm not sure where it goes with the higher resolution as the monitor gets larger (ie: what the upper limit is for ideal pixel pitch at any resolution) but you may want to check.

I like 16:10 monitors for productivity.

I have to have my eyes slightly above the mid point of the monitor for eye strain purposes.

I like an IPS screen or the color spectrum and viewing angle equivalent. Once you are used to it, it is difficult to go back.

Eye strain considerations are paramount for me, and using a flicker free monitor is non-negotiable at this point. Though, these can be found in larger TVs now.

These are my considerations. Yours may vary. If these criteria could be met, though I'd have flexibility in the aspect ratio for larger screens, then I'd feel okay moving forward with a larger screen.

[John Michael Kane]

@hydrogonian:

What size is your current monitor(s), and what is your primary purpose of using it?

[hydrogonian]

(04-30-2016 08:56 PM)John Michael Kane Wrote:  

@hydrogonian:

What size is your current monitor(s), and what is your primary purpose of using it?

I have a single 1920x1200 24 inch monitor.

I use it for everything including internet surfing, writing and reading word docs and PDFs, completing reports, and watching movies and television. You're familiar with the limitations of the general size, though the extra vertical pixels make a difference for me.

But to give you my take anyway:

It's fine for internet use.

I wish that I had more horizontal space for multitasking (ie: reading a report while a video is playing). Though, I can manage multitasking two things at once with this setup. It's just a fit that is a little tighter than maybe I would like. I'd rather have two tasks full-screen on two monitors.

It's fine for watching videos full screen at a distance of perhaps 2.5 to 3 feet where my desk chair sits, but I find myself wanting to eventually scale up in size for that purpose (who doesn't like a larger TV). I have a 50 inch television in the living room that I don't currently use because of how much of a difference that I recently realized that flicker free monitors make to how I feel and sleep. Thus, I'm resigned to the the aforementioned monitor until I can get around to replacing and scaling up with other flicker free monitors/televisions. I actually currently have an additional IPS monitor that is the same exact size and aspect ratio, but don't have it hooked up because it isn't flicker free.

I don't play video games on my own time, but it's perfect for that if I wanted to. I play when my nephews come over and I only wish for more size when playing a driving sim because these games are invariably more immersive as the screen gets larger.

I'll probably look at one or two 27 inch higher resolution monitors next, but if there isn't anything available that fits my needs within a reasonable price (maybe equal to or below around $550) then I'll likely pick up an additional 24 inch that meets my needs (and a larger flicker free television for the living area). I don't think that I'll be able to go much larger for computer monitors and keep my eyes where they need to be in relation to the screen in order to eliminate eye strain; unless the monitors can be adjusted to drop almost to the level of the desk. Wall mounts are another option, though.

[RoastBeefCurtains4Me]

I haven't really even been using this monitor. It's one of those things I spent money on that isn't being used. I have a 65" regular HD TV, so the 55" 4K is just sitting unused with my deskside computer.

That said, I think if it were mounted on the wall, and I sat in a recliner chair about 4 ft. away, that would be a fantastic display. Now I'm inspired to figure out a furniture arrangement to allow this.

(04-30-2016 03:44 PM)John Michael Kane Wrote:  

@RoastBeef:

The screen I linked to in the first post was a 42". The 55" one you have seems even more huge, so I can see how you'd have to really pan and tilt your head to take in the extremities of the screen. You said your long-term plan is to replace the 55" for daily monitor usage, but with what size? What size do you think would be a good balance between how close you can sit to it and still be usable for most purposes? Good point regarding videocards. I'm in the market for a higher-end one anyways, one that will have Display Port which can drive 4k @ 60hz.

[DirectDanger]

I run dual 34 inch wide screen monitors. If it is in your budget they are pretty sweet.

LG 34UM95 34" UltraWide Widescreen 21:9 Monitor

[Shimmy]

I have that same LG 34" monitor. It comes with a really good screen splitter setup with endless possibilities for how the windows are tiled. Much better than multiple monitors on all aspects. How do you use 2 of them direct danger? I feel like I would need a chair to spin just to see both of them.

[DirectDanger]

I have each monitor attached to the Ergotech Freedom Arm.

Makes it easy to move the monitors around. I need lots of screen space for my work so this is ideal.

[The Beast1]

(04-30-2016 03:30 PM)RoastBeefCurtains4Me Wrote:  

I have a 55" 4K TV that I got on clearance for $500. I intended to use it like this. I've found that what Stalin said is true. First of all, the top of the TV is too high. You have to look up to see it. Likewise, the bottom of the TV is too low.

Secondly, most content is made to display with a certain pixel density. If you open a standard word document with 100% scaling, or do the same for a browser window, the text will be way too small to read. You have to zoom everything up to about 300% to see it well. Going back to the first point, you might thing you could compensate for the size of the TV, by having it about 4' away instead of a more typical 2 ft. However, now the problem of window sizing is even worse.

As Stalin said, Windows is not really setup to tile a bunch of things over such a large screen. If you want to do this, you have to manually zoom and size every window, and then you're still stuck with the fact that some of the content is on the screen over a foot above your eye level. Sad!

I will say, the detail is fantastic. You can open google maps in Satellite view, and get an incredibly detailed scene. Most photos nowadays are 8-12 megapixels, but a normal HD screen is only two megapixels. It's amazing to open a picture, and see it 55 inches wide (diagonal actually) with true pixel to pixel detail.

Also, I tried opening a spreadsheet. You know how some spreadsheets have too many columns to fit on a normal display? It never really looks right to spread them over multiple displays. Well, it works great on a 4K display.

My long term plan is to setup my office so I can connect to the 4K TV and use it for content that really benefits from it, and use an ordinary monitor otherwise.

Also, you need a recent and powerful video card to drive a 4K TV at 60 Hz. Check your video card before you buy, or you might find you're stuck with 30 Hz max, or even worse.

That's the irony with large screens like that. To get any functional use out of it, you have to scale up your menus and the like which eat away at precious screen estate. Since it's already so massive you can't sit up close and use a regular size and resolution, no you have to go into the settings and bump up everything wasting that space you needed.

I can see this being useful for niche applications like day trading, video editing, and gaming like a baller.

Beyond that, they're just toys.

[John Michael Kane]

Ended up getting a deal on a 40" 4k tv from Best Buy on Black Friday. Hooked it up via HDMI. Slight lag while playing gaming, but works great for spreadsheets and browsing the web with multiple windows up. Highly recommend to get a large 4K tv for productivity work. Have mine set to 100% scaling which might be a bit small if you don't have the best eyes, but it doesn't bother me.

[Stallion]

For technical work (electronics design, 3D cad...) 2 monitors is a must, and 3 makes life easier. A mix of vertical and horizontal screens also helps, as horizontal is good for coding and reading technical documents, but horizontal is better for some design software.

I prefer several monitors instead of a big one, keeps everything separated.

Actually, the idea of a huge unusable screen is reterded for work purposes, but I can see it working for movies. But if that is your purpose, why not just get a quality projector and sound system? looks much cooler at half the price.

[The Beast1]

(05-02-2016 08:20 AM)The Beast1 Wrote:  

(04-30-2016 03:30 PM)RoastBeefCurtains4Me Wrote:  

I have a 55" 4K TV that I got on clearance for $500. I intended to use it like this. I've found that what Stalin said is true. First of all, the top of the TV is too high. You have to look up to see it. Likewise, the bottom of the TV is too low.

Secondly, most content is made to display with a certain pixel density. If you open a standard word document with 100% scaling, or do the same for a browser window, the text will be way too small to read. You have to zoom everything up to about 300% to see it well. Going back to the first point, you might thing you could compensate for the size of the TV, by having it about 4' away instead of a more typical 2 ft. However, now the problem of window sizing is even worse.

As Stalin said, Windows is not really setup to tile a bunch of things over such a large screen. If you want to do this, you have to manually zoom and size every window, and then you're still stuck with the fact that some of the content is on the screen over a foot above your eye level. Sad!

I will say, the detail is fantastic. You can open google maps in Satellite view, and get an incredibly detailed scene. Most photos nowadays are 8-12 megapixels, but a normal HD screen is only two megapixels. It's amazing to open a picture, and see it 55 inches wide (diagonal actually) with true pixel to pixel detail.

Also, I tried opening a spreadsheet. You know how some spreadsheets have too many columns to fit on a normal display? It never really looks right to spread them over multiple displays. Well, it works great on a 4K display.

My long term plan is to setup my office so I can connect to the 4K TV and use it for content that really benefits from it, and use an ordinary monitor otherwise.

Also, you need a recent and powerful video card to drive a 4K TV at 60 Hz. Check your video card before you buy, or you might find you're stuck with 30 Hz max, or even worse.

That's the irony with large screens like that. To get any functional use out of it, you have to scale up your menus and the like which eat away at precious screen estate. Since it's already so massive you can't sit up close and use a regular size and resolution, no you have to go into the settings and bump up everything wasting that space you needed.

I can see this being useful for niche applications like day trading, video editing, and gaming like a baller.

Beyond that, they're just toys.

A follow up on this post:

Windows includes a tool within the display options (or maybe accessibility) that will scale up Windows by a certain percentage. This helps a ton to solve the problem mentioned above. When you see scaling on a word doc to 100% you'll actually be able to read it.