The Myth of Width: Is Bigger Always Better?We're Talking About Computer Monitors Here, People

The Myth of Width: Is Bigger Always Better?
We're Talking About Computer Monitors Here, People

In this age where everyone is trying to stretch their dollar bills, rarely do we find ourselves saying, "No, I don't need that much." We want more space, more food and more time, even though we know it's not always in our best interests. Rafe Needleman, a contributor at the gadget blog Crave, thinks bigger isn't always better when it comes to dual side-by-side monitor setups...

You can read the entire article here, but the gist is that Needleman thinks that for entertainment content, wide-screen can't be beat (our eyes are side-by-side, after all), but the world of work is in portrait mode, and wide-screen displays try to challenge the naturally vertical orientation of books and Web sites.

So guys, whether or not you've got dual monitors, what do you think about all this? At the risk of sounding like Carrie Bradshaw... When it comes to desktop monitors, is bigger always better?

We think that if you're setting up a dual monitor setup for yourself, consider the main things you use your computer for. Watching movies and games or reading Web pages? if it's the latter, you can still get your shiny and impressive double monitor display, but consider turning the screens to portrait mode like the photo below of our editor Gregory's office:

[ Top image from juhansonin@Flicr ]

Comments (8)

I've got a setup exactly like in the photo (2 23" ACDs), and it works perfectly for me. I watch movies on my computer more often than on my tv, and I frequently do this while working/playing (media on the right, everything else on the left). And in general, I always have a bunch of stuff open, and being able to spread it out horizontally makes more sense to me. I'm just as likely to have Photoshop documents open than code, and for keeping windows and palettes organized (and visually separated from other programs) two wide screens is great.

If I could imagine a third display on my desk (ugh), I would consider going vertical and dedicate it to coding and web-surfing. I've used vertical displays for these tasks and it does indeed work fabulously. Working with InDesign documents vertically would also be great, though my 23" is just big enough to view a full-size 8 1/2 x 11 spread :)

posted by CassieB on January 28th 2009 at 12:30pm
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I second the 2 monitor movement, simply because I feel like I'm able to work a lot more efficiently when I'm not juggling "virtual desktops" all the time.

posted by ekoshyun on January 28th 2009 at 1:11pm
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i'm rocking just one 23" ACD and it's worked wonders for me. at my previous job, editors and designers all preferred dual displays but i never understood why. i would get eye strain from focusing and refocusing from screen to screen. plus user interfaces in applications now are much more intuitive in using screen real estate efficiently.

posted by FightTheFuture on January 28th 2009 at 1:55pm
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At work I use 2 monitors. it allows me to have outlook open on one at all times and work on the other. it also makes it easier to compare spreadsheets and pdfs.
At home, when playing around with Ableton or Logic, I prefer one huge monitor (30" would be nice) but I wouldn't be opposed to one huge one and a smaller one. :)

posted by mscot on January 28th 2009 at 2:37pm
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wider IS usually better, as the viewing proportions of our eyes is very wide. It's also much easier to turn side-to-side than up and down not to mention less straining. Lately i've been running a 19" display next to my macbook pro on a custom stand so that it matches up - not a dual 30" setup, but more efficient than running singles.

posted by bkoerper on January 28th 2009 at 7:21pm
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I have to say that my screen is absolutely huge. I probably get as many complaints as compliments. Another one? No way.

posted by maximumHOTbottom on January 28th 2009 at 9:14pm
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LOL - I can't help but read that ^ with a dirty mind. :P

posted by mscot on January 29th 2009 at 5:49pm
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Note: The picture above is of two 30" Apple LCDs.

Every staff in our studio gets a 30" screen. If there is a business critical need for two (monster infoviz, debugging an app while viewing it full screen, installation work, etc), we go for it.

posted by Juhan Sonin on February 1st 2009 at 5:36pm
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