Ask HN: What monitor do you use/recommend for multitasking/coding?
10 comments
I recommend learning how to focus on one thing at a time. A laptop with windows in full screen mode works for that. Close every app you don’t need to get the immediate task done. People are not very efficient at multitasking.
I went from three monitors and two computers to a 13” Chromebook laptop, because I traveled and worked remotely for six years. My focus and productivity improved, so did my customer satisfaction and income.
I went from three monitors and two computers to a 13” Chromebook laptop, because I traveled and worked remotely for six years. My focus and productivity improved, so did my customer satisfaction and income.
I do front end, so that doesn't really work for me. A lot of the work is drawing up a UI in plaintext while comparing it to a design, or converting an API response into models. So I'd need one screen to view the design, one to view my code, and another to see if the results look like the design, or run the emulator.
I still close every app not involved though. It's more efficient to reopen a browser window when needed than leave it in the background (and the back of your mind).
I still close every app not involved though. It's more efficient to reopen a browser window when needed than leave it in the background (and the back of your mind).
I do front- and back-end web development. I switch between a terminal window (ssh) and a browser window. If I have a separate design I’m working from I cheat by having it on my iPad.
None. :)
The solution that works best for me is just having a laptop. Instead of plugging in an external monitor my setup consists of using three virtual desktops:
1. Browser (lots of windows), chat clients
2. Code editor (lots of windows)
3. Terminals (one windows but lots of different terminals in split panes and tabs)
There are some scenarios where it would be convenient to have multiple things visible at once (browser + terminal to see log output for example), but the downside of becoming "dependent" on external monitors is simply not worth it for me. I'd much rather be able to work comfortably with the same setup anywhere (whether that's traveling or in a cafeteria).
The solution that works best for me is just having a laptop. Instead of plugging in an external monitor my setup consists of using three virtual desktops:
1. Browser (lots of windows), chat clients
2. Code editor (lots of windows)
3. Terminals (one windows but lots of different terminals in split panes and tabs)
There are some scenarios where it would be convenient to have multiple things visible at once (browser + terminal to see log output for example), but the downside of becoming "dependent" on external monitors is simply not worth it for me. I'd much rather be able to work comfortably with the same setup anywhere (whether that's traveling or in a cafeteria).
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I use 4K + cheap low res monitor.
The cheap monitor is for presentations - presenting stuff on a 4K usually leads to lag and doesn't look nice for people on their laptops. It works for things like documentation/Postman. The 4K is great for side by side code/comparing, or reading PRs.
A 4K monitor often works as well as two smaller monitors, especially if you work with something like Android Studio where code is on the left and resulting design is on the right.
The cheap monitor is for presentations - presenting stuff on a 4K usually leads to lag and doesn't look nice for people on their laptops. It works for things like documentation/Postman. The 4K is great for side by side code/comparing, or reading PRs.
A 4K monitor often works as well as two smaller monitors, especially if you work with something like Android Studio where code is on the left and resulting design is on the right.
I use a single 2k 27" monitor. Enough space to get stuff side-by-side if needed. But mostly I work in ine thing at a time.
https://tonsky.me/blog/monitors/