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I did about a decade as a digital nomad, spending a couple months in each city. These days I'm still fairly nomadic, but stay longer (3-6mos) in each place. I'

I did about a decade as a digital nomad, spending a couple months in each city. These days I'm still fairly nomadic, but stay longer (3-6mos) in each place. I've experimented with a couple different multi-monitor setups. Notably, dual 24" displays, and a single Thunderbolt 27". For a while I had Skyteam Platinum and shipped my Thunderbolt display as my free extra checked bag on a couple trips to Brazil and Holland. When the shipping was free and I was staying in the same place for a while, it was marginally worth it bringing the second monitor. When I was making more frequent jumps between cities it was definitely not. Personally, I find having additional monitors to not be a huge productivity boost to my work (software engineering, team/account management, writing, coaching, and managing an import/ecommerce business) relative to a good virtual desktop setup, particularly when weighed against increased pack weight and shipping costs. The place where it helps me the most is to be able to have API docs open alongside my editor/IDE, but I can do the same on retina macbook display, so having a lightweight and portable setup wins out for me.

samatman 7y ago
When I occasionally want a second screen, the 13" iPad does the trick nicely. If it's a PDF, I'll usually use an iOS reader, if it's a terminal or website I'll usually treat it as a second monitor.
- benzesandbetter 7y ago
  same :) https://tinyurl.com/qk6jlzg https://tinyurl.com/qk6jlzg
  - RMPR 7y ago
    Dead link
101404 7y ago
Very much agree. With a good WM, it's quicker to switch between API docs and editor than it is to move and refocus my eyes to another monitor. So now I'm using a single 14" laptop screen.
- RMPR 7y ago
  Same here, but an external ultra wide monitor is always useful if you have to manage a bunch of VMs, I use that setup a lot to test an app I'm working on (https://github.com/rmpr/atbswp https://github.com/rmpr/atbswp), which is impossible with the laptop screen size. https://i.imgur.com/Cf60LtS.png https://i.imgur.com/Cf60LtS.png
giorgioz 7y ago
So cool to hear from another decade long digital nomad with same external monitor experience! Traveling to Budapest anytime soon?
- benzesandbetter 7y ago
  Ah, I miss Budapest. I lived there in 2015-2016, on the Pest side in Újlipótváros. So many good memories from my time there. I spent a lot of time at the Kaptár Coworking space, the Turkish baths, Hummusbar, Pampas, and so many cool cafes. I loved running along the river and the islands. I still think of the little circus music tune they played in the metro when a train was arriving. I miss the dark Hungarian sense of humor. I lived in Pécs for a while too. I definitely think about returning and spending more time there.

samatman 7y ago

When I occasionally want a second screen, the 13" iPad does the trick nicely. If it's a PDF, I'll usually use an iOS reader, if it's a terminal or website I'll usually treat it as a second monitor.

benzesandbetter 7y ago
same :) https://tinyurl.com/qk6jlzg https://tinyurl.com/qk6jlzg
- RMPR 7y ago
  Dead link

101404 7y ago

Very much agree. With a good WM, it's quicker to switch between API docs and editor than it is to move and refocus my eyes to another monitor. So now I'm using a single 14" laptop screen.

RMPR 7y ago
Same here, but an external ultra wide monitor is always useful if you have to manage a bunch of VMs, I use that setup a lot to test an app I'm working on (https://github.com/rmpr/atbswp https://github.com/rmpr/atbswp), which is impossible with the laptop screen size. https://i.imgur.com/Cf60LtS.png https://i.imgur.com/Cf60LtS.png

giorgioz 7y ago

So cool to hear from another decade long digital nomad with same external monitor experience! Traveling to Budapest anytime soon?

benzesandbetter 7y ago
Ah, I miss Budapest. I lived there in 2015-2016, on the Pest side in Újlipótváros. So many good memories from my time there. I spent a lot of time at the Kaptár Coworking space, the Turkish baths, Hummusbar, Pampas, and so many cool cafes. I loved running along the river and the islands. I still think of the little circus music tune they played in the metro when a train was arriving. I miss the dark Hungarian sense of humor. I lived in Pécs for a while too. I definitely think about returning and spending more time there.