Gear
One screen, two, or an ultrawide? How to choose
What each layout is good at, what it costs your neck and your desk, and the size that suits most people.
More screen usually means more getting done, up to a point. The right layout depends less on what looks good in photos and more on what you actually do all day, and how much desk you have.
One good screen
For writing, admin, and most office work, a single 24 to 27-inch monitor at eye level is plenty. It is the cheapest, tidiest option, and it keeps your head facing forward. If you work on a laptop, one external screen is the biggest upgrade you can make.
Two screens
Two screens suit people who keep one thing open as reference while working on another: code and documentation, a spreadsheet and email, a design and its brief. Put the one you use most directly in front of you and the second off to the side, angled in. Two equal screens split down the middle make you look sideways all day.
A dual monitor arm frees up the desk underneath and makes it easy to get both screens to the same height.
One ultrawide
A 34-inch ultrawide gives you roughly the space of two screens without the bezel in the middle. It is excellent for video timelines, big spreadsheets and anyone who likes several windows side by side. It needs a deep enough desk (at least 70cm) so you are not too close to the edges.
Which size and resolution?
- 24-inch: Full HD is fine. Good for small desks and laptops.
- 27-inch: QHD (1440p) is the sweet spot; 4K if you edit photos or read a lot of small text.
- 34-inch ultrawide: 3440 × 1440 for sharp text; Full HD ultrawides are cheaper but softer.
Whatever you choose
Put the top of the main screen at eye level, about an arm's length away. A monitor arm makes that easy and gives you back the desk.
