4 ms·

Any source for said studies? As an engineer I often find my current 2 external monitors limiting and wish I had four.

zoky 3y ago
It never ends. I have 4 monitors and sometimes wish I had 5 or 6. If I could physically fit more monitors on my desk, I would.
graphe 3y ago
NYT in 2014, (personal experience too). https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/technology/personaltech/surviving-and-thriving-in-a-one-monitor-world.html https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/technology/personaltech/s... this advocates for one monitor https://hackernoon.com/why-i-stopped-using-multiple-monitors-bfd87efa2e5b https://hackernoon.com/why-i-stopped-using-multiple-monitors... the tl;dr is that mutiple screens mean more distractions, and some tasks are better with 2 monitors but the studies don't indicate it's universal.
- nl 3y ago
  These aren't studies, just anecdotes, and the actual study quoted in the NYT shows the opposite: > One study commissioned by NEC and conducted by researchers at the University of Utah showed that people using a dual-display machine to do a text-editing task were 44 percent more productive than those who used a single monitor. I think it's fair to say that any research from 2014 isn't the most relevant now. Both screen size and (importantly) software has changed to better support both multiple screen usage as well as large screens. The argument for single screens in the NYT is mostly that it reduces distractions: > But for most people, the time spent juggling two windows or scrolling across large documents isn’t the biggest bottleneck in getting work done. Instead, there’s a more basic, pernicious reason you feel constantly behind — you’re getting distracted. This seems to indicate they were comparing a maximized window on a single screen vs non-maximized windows on multiple screens, and probably in the days before modern notifications on desktop OSs. Based on this it is fair to say more research is needed, but it is inaccurate to claim that studies support the idea that one monitor is better.
  - graphe 3y ago
    Realistically where would you position these monitors? Ergonomically there aren't many great solutions for any extended use especially once you go up to mutiple large monitors. Tilt your head in those directions and see how long you maintain them comfortably. If you think modern notifications are less distracting I'll respectfully disagree.
    - klohto 3y ago
      Respectfully disagree all you want but don’t come here claiming studies that don’t exist.
    - nl 3y ago
      > Realistically where would you position these monitors? I have a 34" main monitor positioned directly in front of me, a 24" in vertical orientation I use mostly for multiple terminals and my MPB screen below the 34". I don't think this is an unusual setup. > Tilt your head in those directions This applies to large single monitors too. I think (hope?!) most people have a setup where their main work is right in front of them. > If you think modern notifications are less distracting I'll respectfully disagree. No I'm saying they are more distracting, so reduce the relevance of old articles claiming a single monitor reduced those.
      - graphe 3y ago
        Are they all in front of you? They sound like they are. Do you find that the positions are comfortable? I cannot see a single article that claims mutiple monitors are ergonomic beyond 2, and most only try to suggest one. https://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html https://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html this article might not like the positions you use, but they're just suggestions that I read and found useful.
    - kergonath 3y ago
      Three monitors along a curve on a curved desk with a rotating office chair (or just one on wheels) is perfect. It might be OCD but I don’t like two monitors because there is a gap between screens in the middle. I can physically rotate to face one side monitor or the other. I am never tilting my head for more than an occasional glance and this setup provides sone kind of task repartition in space, which helps me with switching contexts. From an ergonomic point of view this is no different than using a single monitor. They are at the right height and the right angle and with a good chair. The trick is to rotate the chair rather than your head. And it does take a bit of space.
- mdekkers 3y ago
  Come on, those are not “studies” - they are just the opinions of some random people, and they carry no more or less weight than, for example, my opinion, which is “you can pry my 4 x 27” screens out of my cold, dead, hands.” The NYTimes article is actually explicit about that: > Unlike monitor makers with their multidisplay studies, I have no research proving you’ll find as much benefit from a single monitor as I did. In other words “there are actual studies proving multimonitor setups enhance productivity, but Big Screen(tm) paid for them so they must be wrong” which has no basis in science at all. Also: > “Two monitors are a double-edged sword,” said Gloria Mark, a professor who studies workplace distractions at the University of California, Irvine. Ms. Mark hasn’t specifically researched how second monitors might affect focus, and when she recently had a chance to work at a two-monitor machine, she felt that it did make some of her tasks easier. “But most people have their email up on the second screen, and of course, when anything comes in, it’s a great source of distraction,” she said. So the only actual scientist in all of this actually said “hey, this is making me more productive, unless I fill the screens with distractions” The tl;dr is that people need to set up their workspace to enhance their flow and focus, and reduce distraction to be productive. The amount of screens is about as relevant to that as the weather outside. (“Hey, the sun is shining and the birds are singing, it is a beautiful day outside, let’s go out!”). As per your own conclusion (“the studies don’t indicate it’s universal” - setting aside the fact that there _are_ no studies) It is not universal. Trying to whitewash Apple’s lack of DP Daisychaining support as “You don’t need this anyway, Apple simply cares about your productivity!” Is silly.
  - graphe 3y ago
    My point was that Apple probably don't care to cater to these use cases, and see them as niche. I know 0 people who use more than two monitors on any OS.
    - mdekkers 3y ago
      > I know 0 people who use more than two monitors on any OS. Three in this thread alone, and shifting the goalposts from “studies show it is bad” to “I don’t know anyone with multiple monitors” or “It is tiring to move your head around all the time” indicate you are not debating this in good faith, so I am done with this chat. Have a great day!

zoky 3y ago

It never ends. I have 4 monitors and sometimes wish I had 5 or 6. If I could physically fit more monitors on my desk, I would.

graphe 3y ago

NYT in 2014, (personal experience too). https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/technology/personaltech/surviving-and-thriving-in-a-one-monitor-world.html https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/technology/personaltech/s... this advocates for one monitor https://hackernoon.com/why-i-stopped-using-multiple-monitors-bfd87efa2e5b https://hackernoon.com/why-i-stopped-using-multiple-monitors... the tl;dr is that mutiple screens mean more distractions, and some tasks are better with 2 monitors but the studies don't indicate it's universal.

nl 3y ago
These aren't studies, just anecdotes, and the actual study quoted in the NYT shows the opposite: > One study commissioned by NEC and conducted by researchers at the University of Utah showed that people using a dual-display machine to do a text-editing task were 44 percent more productive than those who used a single monitor. I think it's fair to say that any research from 2014 isn't the most relevant now. Both screen size and (importantly) software has changed to better support both multiple screen usage as well as large screens. The argument for single screens in the NYT is mostly that it reduces distractions: > But for most people, the time spent juggling two windows or scrolling across large documents isn’t the biggest bottleneck in getting work done. Instead, there’s a more basic, pernicious reason you feel constantly behind — you’re getting distracted. This seems to indicate they were comparing a maximized window on a single screen vs non-maximized windows on multiple screens, and probably in the days before modern notifications on desktop OSs. Based on this it is fair to say more research is needed, but it is inaccurate to claim that studies support the idea that one monitor is better.
- graphe 3y ago
  Realistically where would you position these monitors? Ergonomically there aren't many great solutions for any extended use especially once you go up to mutiple large monitors. Tilt your head in those directions and see how long you maintain them comfortably. If you think modern notifications are less distracting I'll respectfully disagree.
  - klohto 3y ago
    Respectfully disagree all you want but don’t come here claiming studies that don’t exist.
  - nl 3y ago
    > Realistically where would you position these monitors? I have a 34" main monitor positioned directly in front of me, a 24" in vertical orientation I use mostly for multiple terminals and my MPB screen below the 34". I don't think this is an unusual setup. > Tilt your head in those directions This applies to large single monitors too. I think (hope?!) most people have a setup where their main work is right in front of them. > If you think modern notifications are less distracting I'll respectfully disagree. No I'm saying they are more distracting, so reduce the relevance of old articles claiming a single monitor reduced those.
    - graphe 3y ago
      Are they all in front of you? They sound like they are. Do you find that the positions are comfortable? I cannot see a single article that claims mutiple monitors are ergonomic beyond 2, and most only try to suggest one. https://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html https://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html this article might not like the positions you use, but they're just suggestions that I read and found useful.
  - kergonath 3y ago
    Three monitors along a curve on a curved desk with a rotating office chair (or just one on wheels) is perfect. It might be OCD but I don’t like two monitors because there is a gap between screens in the middle. I can physically rotate to face one side monitor or the other. I am never tilting my head for more than an occasional glance and this setup provides sone kind of task repartition in space, which helps me with switching contexts. From an ergonomic point of view this is no different than using a single monitor. They are at the right height and the right angle and with a good chair. The trick is to rotate the chair rather than your head. And it does take a bit of space.
mdekkers 3y ago
Come on, those are not “studies” - they are just the opinions of some random people, and they carry no more or less weight than, for example, my opinion, which is “you can pry my 4 x 27” screens out of my cold, dead, hands.” The NYTimes article is actually explicit about that: > Unlike monitor makers with their multidisplay studies, I have no research proving you’ll find as much benefit from a single monitor as I did. In other words “there are actual studies proving multimonitor setups enhance productivity, but Big Screen(tm) paid for them so they must be wrong” which has no basis in science at all. Also: > “Two monitors are a double-edged sword,” said Gloria Mark, a professor who studies workplace distractions at the University of California, Irvine. Ms. Mark hasn’t specifically researched how second monitors might affect focus, and when she recently had a chance to work at a two-monitor machine, she felt that it did make some of her tasks easier. “But most people have their email up on the second screen, and of course, when anything comes in, it’s a great source of distraction,” she said. So the only actual scientist in all of this actually said “hey, this is making me more productive, unless I fill the screens with distractions” The tl;dr is that people need to set up their workspace to enhance their flow and focus, and reduce distraction to be productive. The amount of screens is about as relevant to that as the weather outside. (“Hey, the sun is shining and the birds are singing, it is a beautiful day outside, let’s go out!”). As per your own conclusion (“the studies don’t indicate it’s universal” - setting aside the fact that there _are_ no studies) It is not universal. Trying to whitewash Apple’s lack of DP Daisychaining support as “You don’t need this anyway, Apple simply cares about your productivity!” Is silly.
- graphe 3y ago
  My point was that Apple probably don't care to cater to these use cases, and see them as niche. I know 0 people who use more than two monitors on any OS.
  - mdekkers 3y ago
    > I know 0 people who use more than two monitors on any OS. Three in this thread alone, and shifting the goalposts from “studies show it is bad” to “I don’t know anyone with multiple monitors” or “It is tiring to move your head around all the time” indicate you are not debating this in good faith, so I am done with this chat. Have a great day!