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dual monitors vs a single large monitor

Post Date: 2024-01-16

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smfcpa View Drop Down
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  Quote smfcpa Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: dual monitors vs a single large monitor
    Posted: 16 Jan 2024 at 8:21pm
I am considering 2 Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor - U2723QE. for my new system (I.E., New system ordered on 1/8/24 posted to this forum) I like dual monitors as it makes it easy to move data from one application to another. This is what I have with my current system

Does anyone have any thoughts about this monitor, or dual monitors vs one larger monitor if you move data from one application to another?

Edited by smfcpa - 16 Jan 2024 at 8:24pm
Steve Foulks
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  Quote Snaike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 16 Jan 2024 at 9:10pm
@smfcpa .... While I can't speak to those particular and specific monitors I can speak to the multiple monitor issue.

I have, as my main, a 32" 4K (even though I can't use it in 4k), a 24" 1080dp to my left AND a 16" 1080dp on top of that. So I'm pulling 3 monitors on a 7 year old 1070GTX inside a 10yr old machine (check out my "join" date to the left).

Now I don't do (can't?) a lot of the current gaming. Most of my computer work is editing, sourcing, data management storage and what not and this ol' 1070 is just barely starting to show its' wear with all three monitors acting and sharing at once. Sharing data across files and apps is SOOOOO much easier with multiple monitors. So much so that when I have to use a laptop I'm forever looking for the other screens.

I can't go back to just one. Just my 2¢....
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  Quote fwfdfireman Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Jan 2024 at 4:21am
Now a days, a large (ultra wide) monitor's screen can be split into 2,3,4 or more independent sections for multitasking. This would allow you to eliminate multiple cables and quite a bit of mounting hardware. Do some research in that area and THEN decide.

I had dual monitors before and when they were pretty much outdated and I was getting a new PC from DS, I ordered a 34" MSI Optix and I love it. It's up to the individual as to their preference, but you need the info to decide. Best of luck in the monitor search for the arrival of your new BEAST!
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  Quote Snaike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Jan 2024 at 5:56am
While I absolutely agree with fwfdfireman on streamlining with a huge amount of real-estate (ultra-wides come in at what? 40" and up?), the original question was asked regarding 27" Dell monitors. If you wanted a 27" monitor to be classed as "ultra-wide" it would be about 9 inches top to bottom.   

As I noted above, my main monitor is 32" and, if I had to I could probably split it into 2, MAYBE 3, sections but it just wouldn't be the same.

The full window control for each monitor is easier for this old dog to not have to learn new tricks.   

But, as they say, YMMV .... or the old standby, "That's why they make chocolate AND vanilla."



edit... no, my monitor is NOT 32 feet. Typing is hard at 0600 before bed.

Edited by Snaike - 17 Jan 2024 at 5:59am
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  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Jan 2024 at 12:11pm
I used to be a dual monitor fanboy, but for the last 5 years I've been using ultrawide monitors. I think they are amazing!

A 34" ultrawide is typically the same height as a standard 27", and it gives you tons of screen real estate. There are also several great 38" ultrawide monitors. I have two of those right now (one at home, and one at work). I think that's the best size. They are great for productivity, and gaming!

As someone mentioned earlier in the thread, there are ways of dividing up the screen so that it's easy to snap windows into different sections. However, I just use it as one big screen, and move windows around as desired. I think it's a great way to be productive.
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  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Jan 2024 at 12:14pm
My all-time favorite is the LG-38GL950G (which I have now.) It's a bit pricy, but it's the perfect monitor for productivity and gaming. It also supports dual inputs, so I can use it with both my Mac and PC.

https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/lg-38gl950g-ultragear-gaming-monitor

Edited by JamesAstro - 17 Jan 2024 at 5:40pm
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  Quote smfcpa Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2024 at 5:27am
I am glad I posted this question as it certainly got me thinking about what type of monitor that I will buy when my build gets closer to delivery
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  Quote Snaike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2024 at 11:15am
Happy to help!!!   
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  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2024 at 11:26am
This isn't shipping yet, but it sure looks amazing...and a little insane!

It's basically two 4K displays side-by-side, and has a 57" diagonal. Whoa!

https://www.acer.com/us-en/predator/monitors/z57-miniled
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  Quote smfcpa Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2024 at 1:22pm
Originally posted by JamesAstro

This isn't shipping yet, but it sure looks amazing...and a little insane!

It's basically two 4K displays side-by-side, and has a 57" diagonal. Whoa!

https://www.acer.com/us-en/predator/monitors/z57-miniled


I think most games are designed to play on 16 X 9 monitors. Wouldn't things on such a wide monitor appear short and squatty (fat).
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  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2024 at 1:28pm
Most modern games will adapt to ultra-wide displays now. The feeling of immersion is really awesome!

If you're playing an older game that doesn't support it, then you can choose how to deal with it in the display settings. I always choose the option that makes the game as large as possible, but preserves the game's desired aspect ratio. It'll display the game with a black bar on each side.

Edited by JamesAstro - 18 Jan 2024 at 1:28pm
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  Quote Snaike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2024 at 1:56pm
Originally posted by JamesAstro

This isn't shipping yet, but it sure looks amazing...and a little insane!

It's basically two 4K displays side-by-side, and has a 57" diagonal. Whoa!

https://www.acer.com/us-en/predator/monitors/z57-miniled


Holy cow that's impressive. I've got to think something like that is going to have a pretty serious pricetag, too? Have you seen any talk of price points? $2k? $5K? More?
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  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2024 at 2:00pm
It's going to cost $2500 initially. I want it, but I'm not sure if it'll be good for productivity apps. It uses a VA panel rather than IPS, and IPS has much better off-axis viewing. It also has a very aggressive curve that I'm not sure that I'd like. I'll be keeping my eye on reviews when it comes out.

Edited by JamesAstro - 18 Jan 2024 at 2:01pm
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  Quote smfcpa Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Jan 2024 at 9:23pm

Getting back to my original issue, should I go with a one large monitor or dual monitors. I currently have dual 27” monitors. I often have two applications open at once, one on each monitor and transfer data from one application to the other. A couple of people made a case for splitting the screen on a large monitor.

I thought I would try that out on one of my current monitors to see how it went. I opened one of my stock brokerage accounts via the Internet and Quicken on my machine which I use to keep track of all of my investments. Everything looked good with each application occupying half of the screen. Then I open up the transaction file on the brokerage account that I was looking at, and it covered much of the screen. When I opened up the transaction file in Quicken and the same thing happened. In short splitting the screen really doesn’t cut it for this type of activity.
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  Quote hoserator Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2024 at 1:20am
I have 2 x 27" monitors. Work and stuff on one, gaming on the other. To me it keeps it simple. I am not very good at software. I have always wondered about a B I G screen but need a lot or desk real estate.
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  Quote Snaike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2024 at 1:35am
Originally posted by smfcpa


.... In short splitting the screen really doesn’t cut it for this type of activity.



Seems to me, my friend, you have answered your own question.

Whatever you decide I hope you're happy with, and served well by it.
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  Quote smfcpa Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2024 at 6:21am
Originally posted by Snaike

Originally posted by smfcpa


.... In short splitting the screen really doesn’t cut it for this type of activity.



Seems to me, my friend, you have answered your own question.

Whatever you decide I hope you're happy with, and served well by it.


You are right, I did answer my own question. I posted my findings so that someone wouldn’t think they could be as productive with a single large monitor as dual monitors in all situations. Here is a synopsis of my findings:

-     If you are just copying from one document to another, splitting the screen on one monitor works fine.

-     If you are watching a movie on Netflix but are semi bored and decide to look at something else, splitting the screen on one monitor works fine.

-     If you digging into a sub-menu of one application and copying data into the sub-menu of another application as I mentioned above regarding Quicken, you need dual monitors.

The dual monitors that I am likely to buy allows you “daisy chain” monitors using a USB cable. I wonder how that works?
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  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2024 at 11:15am
Originally posted by smfcpa

If you digging into a sub-menu of one application and copying data into the sub-menu of another application as I mentioned above regarding Quicken, you need dual monitors.


I'm curious what you mean by that. Are you saying that you can't copy and past between apps on a single monitor if the copy & paste happens in sub-menus?

From my experience, a single monitor behaves just like a dual monitor system when it comes to any kind of copy & paste.
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  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2024 at 11:19am
Here is a good article regarding USB-C daisy chaining:

https://www.cablematters.com/Blog/DisplayPort/daisy-chain-monitors
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  Quote smfcpa Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 23 Jan 2024 at 11:16am
Originally posted by JamesAstro

Originally posted by smfcpa

If you digging into a sub-menu of one application and copying data into the sub-menu of another application as I mentioned above regarding Quicken, you need dual monitors.


I'm curious what you mean by that. Are you saying that you can't copy and past between apps on a single monitor if the copy & paste happens in sub-menus?

From my experience, a single monitor behaves just like a dual monitor system when it comes to any kind of copy & paste.


After you have your two applications nicely each occupying half of your screen, you click on a sub-menu in one of the applications, the window that pops open occupying most of the screen, not staying within the confines of the half of the screen of the original application. This creates a hassle because where you wanted to copy it in the second application is now covered up, so you have fiddle around with the newly opened window to see your intended location to paste the copied data. You can do it, but you will be spending a lot of time resizing. Do you see the problem?
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  Quote JamesAstro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 23 Jan 2024 at 11:48am
Ahh...I understand now. Thanks for clarifying.
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  Quote smfcpa Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 23 Jan 2024 at 12:10pm
Originally posted by JamesAstro

Here is a good article regarding USB-C daisy chaining:

https://www.cablematters.com/Blog/DisplayPort/daisy-chain-monitors


Thanks for the article reference.
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  Quote smfcpa Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 16 Feb 2024 at 12:08am
I decided to go with 2 27" Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor - U2723QE.

I am going to experiment with DisplayPort daisy chaining my two monitors. I have the monitors sitting in my computer room in the boxes. I might try that technique with my current Aventum computer but I can't seem to find out if it uses DisplayPort 1.2, as Intel does have the Max Resolution information for my Intel processor on line. I wonder if that info is in the system bios?
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  Quote PcKiller Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Feb 2024 at 4:14pm
My monitor in my sig is very good. Could look into that?
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  Quote smfcpa Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Feb 2024 at 11:17pm
Originally posted by PcKiller

My monitor in my sig is very good. Could look into that?


If you look in the Hardware Discussion Forum, I posted a topic I called , “Daisy chaining monitors using DisplayPort" and I discussed what is needed to do it. It did work and it was easy to do.

The monitors that I am replacing are the same one you have ( i.e., Asus PB278Q 27"). You are right, they are very good monitors and I am giving them to my son. However they don’t have a DisplayPort (Out port). I think you get still use that monitor with the purchase of some kind of a splitting device.

My computer which was shipped from Stockton, CA Tuesday and seems to be in limbo between there and Hodgkin, IL with no tracking info.
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  Quote PcKiller Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Feb 2024 at 2:35am
smfcpa,

That is the main reason I choose next day air. They shipped my DS PC out, and the next day I had it.
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  Quote smfcpa Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Feb 2024 at 3:18pm
Originally posted by PcKiller

smfcpa,

That is the main reason I choose next day air. They shipped my DS PC out, and the next day I had it.


Because my computer was quite heavy and loaded on a pallet and shipped by commercial freight, I don't think next day air was a reasonable option. Anyway it is now in Chicago so it should be here, in the boondocks, in a couple of days.

Edited by smfcpa - 19 Feb 2024 at 3:20pm
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