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Using a large 8K display for productivity is underrated. I wrote a blog post about my experience: https://daniel.lawrence.lu/blog/y2023m12d15/ https://daniel.la

by dllu 2y ago

Using a large 8K display for productivity is underrated. I wrote a blog post about my experience: https://daniel.lawrence.lu/blog/y2023m12d15/ https://daniel.lawrence.lu/blog/y2023m12d15/

throwaway48476 2y ago
Why not the 55" 8K? Also the checkerboard is because you're not using variable refresh rate. You need to turn on game mode for the TV and VRR in OS display setting.
- dllu 2y ago
  I can't find any. The newer QN800D or whatever aren't available in 55". And they don't make the QN700B anymore. EDIT: Also wow I've been using this QN800A for like 3 years with the checkerboard problem without realizing that enabling variable refresh rate solves the problem. Thanks for the pro tip!!!
  - throwaway48476 2y ago
    I have the QN700B. It seems almost small to me at this point. Can you get VRR to work on linux?
    - dllu 2y ago
      Yes, "G Sync on unverified devices" seems to work on nvidia-settings on Linux.
vehemenz 2y ago
You've convinced me, but it really shows the limitations for 16:9 when these are our options. Two largish 28" 4:3 monitors would be a nice middle ground.
- jjcm 2y ago
  Consider the samsung 57" ultrawide. ‎7680x2160 resolution. Lots of usable space, but a better form factor for productivity than a TV. https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-DisplayPort-Mini-LED-DisplayHDR-LS57CG952NNXZA/dp/B0CDQM55C9 https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-DisplayPort-Mini-LED-DisplayH...
  - throwaway48476 2y ago
    The ultra wide trend has been terrible. Most content creation tasks are vertical space limited. An ultra wide is just having two monitors without a bezel. It's a significant cost increase for little benefit. Ideally there would be a 10k that's 4x 1440p but 8K is an acceptable compromise.
    - barrell 2y ago
      The ultrawide trend has been amazing. All of my apps open vertically the same amount as intended, so there are no issues. I can open several next to eachother - full documents, browser, server logs. It’s an entirely different experience than having two monitors without a bezel. For marginally more cost, you get massive benefits. To each their own I guess :)
      - throwaway48476 2y ago
        >vertically the same amount as intended, The 16:9 aspect ratio was designed for cinema, not computers. The ideal ratio for computing is squarer which is why apple uses 16:10 and Microsoft/framework 3:2. Ultrawide is the Stockholm syndrome of aspect ratios.
        dragonwriter 2y ago
        > The 16:9 aspect ratio was designed for cinema, not computers The 4:3 aspect ratio was pretty good for computers displaying a single document or the equivalent; two of those side by side is much better than one when you want side-by-side documents (say, two code windows, or code and related documentstion.) But a single curved monitor is better than one big flat one. In one monitor, that's 8:3, or 24:9. 21:9 isn't perfect for that, but it’s pretty good. 32:9 is equivalentto three side-by-side, which has its uses, too...
gpm 2y ago
> AMD Linux drivers > Unfortunately, as of writing, AMD GPUs do not have HDMI 2.1 so you cannot use an 8K TV in 8K 60 Hz mode unless you use a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. Interesting workaround! This hadn't occurred to me at all as a solution when I read about the HDMI 2.1 driver licensing issue. Edit: Added "AMD Linux drivers" to quotation.
- throwaway48476 2y ago
  This is wrong. I have used a AMD 6600XT with 8K 60hz VRR over HDMI.
  - gpm 2y ago
    On linux? What drivers are you using? It's been pretty widely supported that the "HDMI Forum" (licensing body) has blocked AMD from supporting HDMI 2.1 (necessary for 8k 60hz over hdmi) in their open source linux drivers - which I thought was the only set of drivers available. For example: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/02/hdmi-forum-to-amd-no-you-cant-make-an-open-source-hdmi-2-1-driver/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/02/hdmi-forum-to-amd-no...
    - throwaway48476 2y ago
      On windows. Haven't tried Linux.
      - gpm 2y ago
        My fault for omitting the context of a heading that said "AMD Linux drivers" immediately before the part I quoted then, sorry for the miscommunication.
        dllu 2y ago
        I also updated the phrasing in the blog post to be clearer haha
tbirdny 2y ago
I have a Sony 43" 4K and would love a 55" 8K. I think that would be the perfect. I'm really disappointed there's no current option. I'm waiting. Everyone says 8K isn't worth it for movies especially at 55", but I don't want it for movies! It would make my computer "desktop" as big as my physical desktop. I seriously considered the QN700B. I wasn't sure if it would do 60Hz 4:4:4 and wasn't quite ready to buy a new Mac (my current Mac can't do 8K).
- throwaway48476 2y ago
  The QN700B does do 60hz 444. Unfortunately it's no longer sold. I use it with a M2 Max. In MacOS it's treated as 4k native with 2x scaling since macOS doesn't natively support non integer scaling. It's a shame more people didn't buy them to keep the market alive for large format monitors. Ideally someone would sell the panel with a display port 2.0 input.
buildbot 2y ago
I use my Q900R the same, it’s awesome. It’s so flexible: For couch gaming, 4k, 120Hz, VVR, 10bit and like, 1500 nit HDR. The downside is pretty clear blooming though. 8K 60Hz for sitting close and using for photo editing & programming. It does get hot though.
aledalgrande 2y ago
I'm the opposite: for me extra or bigger screens are overrated. I'm definitely the minority because almost all my colleagues have a second screen. I think DHH is the only one I have seen using a 13" because of the focus. And I agree with him: one maximized window at a time, all my focus in it. No neck craning etc. And I can work from anywhere, don't have to be at my (home) desk. I organize projects by desktop (Mac OS feature) and switch through them with 3 finger swipe.
- wildrhythms 2y ago
  I find the 3 finger swipe to be sub-optimal due to the animation time, and if you disable animations it switches to a fade animation that seemingly takes longer. The only way I can effectively use a low resolution screen is with a tiling wm like i3 or sway.
kayg04 2y ago
Hey, I have a similar setup (https://kayg.org/uses https://kayg.org/uses) where I use a LG C148 as my primary TV and monitor. I do all work on it, however I am unable to use tiling window managers as you recommend because I always struggle to see windows / text that is placed above my eye-level. For that reason, I prefer to use manual window management solutions instead. I am curious how do you deal with that problem, one big TV user to another? or do you not have that problem at all? thanks!
mettamage 2y ago
Favorited this comment, that blog post is awesome. Consider submitting it to HN!

by dllu 2y ago

Using a large 8K display for productivity is underrated. I wrote a blog post about my experience: https://daniel.lawrence.lu/blog/y2023m12d15/ https://daniel.lawrence.lu/blog/y2023m12d15/

throwaway48476 2y ago

Why not the 55" 8K? Also the checkerboard is because you're not using variable refresh rate. You need to turn on game mode for the TV and VRR in OS display setting.

dllu 2y ago
I can't find any. The newer QN800D or whatever aren't available in 55". And they don't make the QN700B anymore. EDIT: Also wow I've been using this QN800A for like 3 years with the checkerboard problem without realizing that enabling variable refresh rate solves the problem. Thanks for the pro tip!!!
- throwaway48476 2y ago
  I have the QN700B. It seems almost small to me at this point. Can you get VRR to work on linux?
  - dllu 2y ago
    Yes, "G Sync on unverified devices" seems to work on nvidia-settings on Linux.

vehemenz 2y ago

You've convinced me, but it really shows the limitations for 16:9 when these are our options. Two largish 28" 4:3 monitors would be a nice middle ground.

jjcm 2y ago
Consider the samsung 57" ultrawide. ‎7680x2160 resolution. Lots of usable space, but a better form factor for productivity than a TV. https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-DisplayPort-Mini-LED-DisplayHDR-LS57CG952NNXZA/dp/B0CDQM55C9 https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-DisplayPort-Mini-LED-DisplayH...
- throwaway48476 2y ago
  The ultra wide trend has been terrible. Most content creation tasks are vertical space limited. An ultra wide is just having two monitors without a bezel. It's a significant cost increase for little benefit. Ideally there would be a 10k that's 4x 1440p but 8K is an acceptable compromise.
  - barrell 2y ago
    The ultrawide trend has been amazing. All of my apps open vertically the same amount as intended, so there are no issues. I can open several next to eachother - full documents, browser, server logs. It’s an entirely different experience than having two monitors without a bezel. For marginally more cost, you get massive benefits. To each their own I guess :)
    - throwaway48476 2y ago
      >vertically the same amount as intended, The 16:9 aspect ratio was designed for cinema, not computers. The ideal ratio for computing is squarer which is why apple uses 16:10 and Microsoft/framework 3:2. Ultrawide is the Stockholm syndrome of aspect ratios.
      - dragonwriter 2y ago
        > The 16:9 aspect ratio was designed for cinema, not computers The 4:3 aspect ratio was pretty good for computers displaying a single document or the equivalent; two of those side by side is much better than one when you want side-by-side documents (say, two code windows, or code and related documentstion.) But a single curved monitor is better than one big flat one. In one monitor, that's 8:3, or 24:9. 21:9 isn't perfect for that, but it’s pretty good. 32:9 is equivalentto three side-by-side, which has its uses, too...

gpm 2y ago

> AMD Linux drivers > Unfortunately, as of writing, AMD GPUs do not have HDMI 2.1 so you cannot use an 8K TV in 8K 60 Hz mode unless you use a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. Interesting workaround! This hadn't occurred to me at all as a solution when I read about the HDMI 2.1 driver licensing issue. Edit: Added "AMD Linux drivers" to quotation.

throwaway48476 2y ago
This is wrong. I have used a AMD 6600XT with 8K 60hz VRR over HDMI.
- gpm 2y ago
  On linux? What drivers are you using? It's been pretty widely supported that the "HDMI Forum" (licensing body) has blocked AMD from supporting HDMI 2.1 (necessary for 8k 60hz over hdmi) in their open source linux drivers - which I thought was the only set of drivers available. For example: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/02/hdmi-forum-to-amd-no-you-cant-make-an-open-source-hdmi-2-1-driver/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/02/hdmi-forum-to-amd-no...
  - throwaway48476 2y ago
    On windows. Haven't tried Linux.
    - gpm 2y ago
      My fault for omitting the context of a heading that said "AMD Linux drivers" immediately before the part I quoted then, sorry for the miscommunication.
      - dllu 2y ago
        I also updated the phrasing in the blog post to be clearer haha

tbirdny 2y ago

I have a Sony 43" 4K and would love a 55" 8K. I think that would be the perfect. I'm really disappointed there's no current option. I'm waiting. Everyone says 8K isn't worth it for movies especially at 55", but I don't want it for movies! It would make my computer "desktop" as big as my physical desktop. I seriously considered the QN700B. I wasn't sure if it would do 60Hz 4:4:4 and wasn't quite ready to buy a new Mac (my current Mac can't do 8K).

throwaway48476 2y ago
The QN700B does do 60hz 444. Unfortunately it's no longer sold. I use it with a M2 Max. In MacOS it's treated as 4k native with 2x scaling since macOS doesn't natively support non integer scaling. It's a shame more people didn't buy them to keep the market alive for large format monitors. Ideally someone would sell the panel with a display port 2.0 input.

buildbot 2y ago

I use my Q900R the same, it’s awesome. It’s so flexible: For couch gaming, 4k, 120Hz, VVR, 10bit and like, 1500 nit HDR. The downside is pretty clear blooming though. 8K 60Hz for sitting close and using for photo editing & programming. It does get hot though.

aledalgrande 2y ago

I'm the opposite: for me extra or bigger screens are overrated. I'm definitely the minority because almost all my colleagues have a second screen. I think DHH is the only one I have seen using a 13" because of the focus. And I agree with him: one maximized window at a time, all my focus in it. No neck craning etc. And I can work from anywhere, don't have to be at my (home) desk. I organize projects by desktop (Mac OS feature) and switch through them with 3 finger swipe.

wildrhythms 2y ago
I find the 3 finger swipe to be sub-optimal due to the animation time, and if you disable animations it switches to a fade animation that seemingly takes longer. The only way I can effectively use a low resolution screen is with a tiling wm like i3 or sway.

kayg04 2y ago

Hey, I have a similar setup (https://kayg.org/uses https://kayg.org/uses) where I use a LG C148 as my primary TV and monitor. I do all work on it, however I am unable to use tiling window managers as you recommend because I always struggle to see windows / text that is placed above my eye-level. For that reason, I prefer to use manual window management solutions instead. I am curious how do you deal with that problem, one big TV user to another? or do you not have that problem at all? thanks!

mettamage 2y ago

Favorited this comment, that blog post is awesome. Consider submitting it to HN!