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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: noisyturtle on Sun, 06 July 2025, 19:02:25

Title: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: noisyturtle on Sun, 06 July 2025, 19:02:25
I've currently got a 27" for my main screen and lately I feel like it is slightly too small.
I'm not sure if 32" would even be that much of a size difference, but at the same time I am worried about desk footprint and anything in the 40" range seens like it might be too big at an arms length away from your face.

What is your optimal size and distance/setup?
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 07 July 2025, 00:26:31
77 inch at 1.5 meter is the ideal size for a small 10x10 rooms.

27 and 32 are non starters.

98inch also work, but your back is against the wall. 77 gives people space to move up and down with standing desk..
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 07 July 2025, 03:52:58
My rule of thumb has been to have enough height. Then as much width as you have space for.
According to most ergonomic manuals the top edge should not be higher than eye height, however.
And the sweet spot for PPI has been 100-110. That would make the ideal vertical span 1440 pixels.

So, the screen setup should be one or several of:
22" 4:3  1920×1440
24" 16:10 1920×1200
27" 16:9 2560×1440
34" 21:9 3440×1440

However, with ageing eyes, I think I'd like to try placing the screen further away, and then perhaps using even larger screens.
I feel that my 2' deep desk (one that I've had since childhood) is not deep enough any more.
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 07 July 2025, 07:33:24
The idea of desk depth, PPI, is obsolete 1990s computer thinking.

None of that makes any sense because the original premise of computer work is a failure ergonomically.
 
Humans are not anatomically suited to sit at a desk for so-long.  Their eyes are also not designed to stare at close objects shorter than 1 meter away.

Standing desk is a must, ontop of viewing distance 1.5 meters+.  It wasn't possible in the 1990s, but now we know better.


77 inch is the absolute minimum size, BECAUSE, 1-1.5 meter viewing distance is the minimum for minimized eye strain, both focal and vergeance.
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 07 July 2025, 08:32:54
I have used 2 screens for 20 years, ever since I bought a small one from my next-door neighbor for $10 at a yard sale.

With the internet being a constant in life nowadays, I have fallen into the habit of keeping the web up on a smaller screen on the right and doing the rest on a larger screen to the left.

Currently, I have a 27" and a 24" which are almost too big - forcing me to twist my neck when alternating between them.

But don't get me started on why square-ish screens are so much better than long screens stretched from side to side ....

Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 07 July 2025, 12:05:18
That's fine for maybe 2-3 hours a day.

It's when you approach Hard Mode, 12+ PC hours,  it's really not suitable.
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: Leslieann on Wed, 09 July 2025, 22:18:05
I use dual screens and around 25-26 is best for me but I may go ultrawide on my next screen.
Anything bigger makes them too tall and too much head up down movement.
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 09 July 2025, 23:06:11
Sitting is wrong.

It's been killing computer people for decades.
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: TheSoulhunter on Thu, 18 September 2025, 20:03:05
I used dual 24" screens for long time. After getting problems with my neck from looking left/right 1000x a day, I switched to one 30".
No more neck problems, but having less screen-space turned out to be a problem. Too much manual window/task switching.
So, I got a 43" 4K monitor. Much better! It's like having 4x 21" 1080p monitors. Using that for a couple years now...
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: hazei on Fri, 19 September 2025, 03:40:53
I like the 28" BenQ RD280U (for programming) - always been a fan of squarer aspect ratios and that one is 3:2 with a resolution of 3840x2560. Gamers might not like it for being 60Hz though.
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: TheGreatPotato on Tue, 23 September 2025, 14:20:02
Yep, same here. Dual screens killed my neck, 43" 4K gives multi-monitor space without twisting your head, just scale your UI so stuff isn’t tiny.
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: phinix on Fri, 26 September 2025, 19:08:19
42"
I had 40" for years and felt right, then tried 48" at it was too big for such short distance (70cm from a screen).
Now I have 42" and its perfect.
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 26 September 2025, 22:02:58
42"
I had 40" for years and felt right, then tried 48" at it was too big for such short distance (70cm from a screen).
Now I have 42" and its perfect.


Samsung has a new 27"  500hz qdoled.  Exciting but 2 small.
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: noisyturtle on Fri, 26 September 2025, 22:20:34
42" seems huge, feels like anything bigger than around 34" you'd be constantly moving your neck slightly to adjust your line of sight
I guess it depends on depth of desk

Curved seems perfect for an upper 2nd monitor since the curvature works with the overhead angle, it would be like a spaceship HUD

also I can never go back to regular refresh rate. got to be 240 or more, or it causes tickling in the front of my brain.
Title: Re: What is your optimal monitor size?
Post by: TheSoulhunter on Sat, 27 September 2025, 08:01:52
...feels like anything bigger than around 34" you'd be constantly moving your neck slightly to adjust your line of sight
I guess it depends on depth of desk

I think it also depends on your visual field (the span you can change your view just by moving your eyes)
At around 70cm distance, I can see everything on my 43" just moving the eyes.
The 2x24"setup (~7inch wider) would require me to move my neck...
So it also depends on biometrics of the head etc.