help me, how many inch monitor ??

[Ponytails]

I do everything on my 17" laptop. I keep thinking I should get a bigger setup, but right now I work from a small built-in desk in my kitchen. A bigger setup would mean moving to a bigger desk in the family room. I have the space for it, but then I'd need to buy a desk, a new computer, shelves for organizing my office space, etc. etc. etc. So then I basically shut down and continue to work on my laptop. LOL

 

[craftytam]

I do everything on my 17" laptop. I keep thinking I should get a bigger setup, but right now I work from a small built-in desk in my kitchen. A bigger setup would mean moving to a bigger desk in the family room. I have the space for it, but then I'd need to buy a desk, a new computer, shelves for organizing my office space, etc. etc. etc. So then I basically shut down and continue to work on my laptop. LOL

With just one monitor?! How do you do that???

 

[Neverland Scraps]

I used to have two monitors (loved that!) but one of my cats jumped off the wall and broke one of them. So I invested in a 32" in monitor and LOVE it!! It's big enough to watch tv on, when I'm in the other room and big enough for me to scrap! Since getting that large monitor, I haven't had a need for a second monitor, which is nice too! So my vote for you is the bigger one! Your eyes and your workspace will thank you when you have the large screen to look at! :wub:

 

[craftytam]

I used to have two monitors (loved that!) but one of my cats jumped off the wall and broke one of them. So I invested in a 32" in monitor and LOVE it!! It's big enough to watch tv on, when I'm in the other room and big enough for me to scrap! Since getting that large monitor, I haven't had a need for a second monitor, which is nice too!

Hmmm... something to consider! Do you have to sit further back from it?

 

[rach3975]

So you would be working on two different-sized monitors then? I think the best way to think about it would be what will you put on each monitor while you're working?.

My computer has to be a laptop because I need the portability, but my eyes are tired of the small screen. I'm starting grad school in the fall, so between that, work, and scrapping it's time to invest in a bigger display. The main reason I haven't done it before now is that I don't know if I'd like working on multiple screens. But I saw a picture of someone else's setup recently that I think would work for me. They had their monitor and a wireless keyboard right in front of them and their laptop off to the side, used for its computing power but not its screen. I think that's what I'd like to do, use only the big monitor when I'm at my desk and only the laptop screen when I'm not. I'll try using the 2 simultaneously when I get the monitor, but I suspect I'll be using the 27" screen by itself.

 

[HavaDrPepper]

My computer has to be a laptop because I need the portability, but my eyes are tired of the small screen. I'm starting grad school in the fall, so between that, work, and scrapping it's time to invest in a bigger display. The main reason I haven't done it before now is that I don't know if I'd like working on multiple screens. But I saw a picture of someone else's setup recently that I think would work for me. They had their monitor and a wireless keyboard right in front of them and their laptop off to the side, used for its computing power but not its screen. I think that's what I'd like to do, use only the big monitor when I'm at my desk and only the laptop screen when I'm not. I'll try using the 2 simultaneously when I get the monitor, but I suspect I'll be using the 27" screen by itself.

Many years ago, I used my 22" monitor with my laptop. The laptop was off to the side and I used a wireless regular sized keyboard. The 22" monitor was in front of me and was my main work area. Paint Shop Pro filled this screen. I use Picasa to search for kits so it was on the laptop screen. I think you might find that you will use the smaller screen at times along with the large screen. For spreadsheet work, I would have the main one open on the large screen and another one one the laptop monitor that I would have to refer to. Saved always having to switch open windows. Granted having 2 different size monitors isn't always the best, but once I got used to it, I was OK with it and I used both monitors all the time.

And, here's a story for you... I used to go to a friend's house an hour away from me to scrap with some of my friends. Imagine my surprise when one such occasion another friend of ours walked in with the laptop case and a large monitor. She got it setup and proceeded to scrap her heart out. And, I know of others that do that as well. They like having the portability of the laptop but when they will be scrapping all weekend, they want their big screen

 

[rach3975]

Hmmm... something to consider! Do you have to sit further back from it?

As I was researching to decide what size monitor I have room for, I came across a chart showing how far you should sit from each monitor size. I can't find it again right now, but IIRC for a 24" monitor it recommended 50-60 cm and for each successive size you added an additional 10 cm. I did manage to find a more detailed chart here.

 

[rach3975]

Many years ago, I used my 22" monitor with my laptop. The laptop was off to the side and I used a wireless regular sized keyboard. The 22" monitor was in front of me and was my main work area. Paint Shop Pro filled this screen. I use Picasa to search for kits so it was on the laptop screen. I think you might find that you will use the smaller screen at times along with the large screen. For spreadsheet work, I would have the main one open on the large screen and another one one the laptop monitor that I would have to refer to. Saved always having to switch open windows. Granted having 2 different size monitors isn't always the best, but once I got used to it, I was OK with it and I used both monitors all the time.

And, here's a story for you... I used to go to a friend's house an hour away from me to scrap with some of my friends. Imagine my surprise when one such occasion another friend of ours walked in with the laptop case and a large monitor. She got it setup and proceeded to scrap her heart out. And, I know of others that do that as well. They like having the portability of the laptop but when they will be scrapping all weekend, they want their big screen

Lol about the traveling monitor. Fingers crossed that I don't get *that* used to having it! I could see using the laptop screen to open kit folders when I'm working on a 2-page spread on the big monitor. Probably also for school, if I have an online textbook or other resources open on one and a paper I'm writing on the other. I'm leaving my options open, but knowing I can use only the bigger monitor if I prefer is what finally convinced me to take the plunge.

 

[craftytam]

My computer has to be a laptop because I need the portability, but my eyes are tired of the small screen. I'm starting grad school in the fall, so between that, work, and scrapping it's time to invest in a bigger display. The main reason I haven't done it before now is that I don't know if I'd like working on multiple screens. But I saw a picture of someone else's setup recently that I think would work for me. They had their monitor and a wireless keyboard right in front of them and their laptop off to the side, used for its computing power but not its screen. I think that's what I'd like to do, use only the big monitor when I'm at my desk and only the laptop screen when I'm not. I'll try using the 2 simultaneously when I get the monitor, but I suspect I'll be using the 27" screen by itself.

If I'm home and have to use my laptop, I connect one of my desktop monitors to it. I have such a hard time scrapping on the laptop alone.

 

[craftytam]

As I was researching to decide what size monitor I have room for, I came across a chart showing how far you should sit from each monitor size. I can't find it again right now, but IIRC for a 24" monitor it recommended 50-60 cm and for each successive size you added an additional 10 cm. I did manage to find a more detailed chart here.

Thanks for sharing this, Rachel!!

 

[jaye]

Congrats Biancka!!

I have two 24" monitors that are identical and love them. I can't tell you the last time I turned my laptop on. I am lucky in that I have my 'nest' (spare bedroom) and have outfitted it with a 32" tv as well so I can scrap and watch tv. It is my little sanctuary.

 

[Kiana]

I have 2 monitors. They are both 27" and I LOVE THEM. I wouldn't trade them for anything. I had 2 24" before this and knew I wanted bigger.:thumbup:

 

[AmieN1]

I say go big or go home! Lol bigger the better! I just recently added a 3rd monitor (got a free one from hubby's work) and while they are different sizes- I LOVE using 3! Sometimes I just watch Netflix on one while using the other 2 for scrapping... or one for all the previews of the supplies I'm using etc. I'm on my phone so I can't seem to link my desk pic- but here's my setup!
https://www.flickr.com/gp/139774214@N02/014W0M

 

[Ponytails]

With just one monitor?! How do you do that???

Yup, just the one little monitor. I guess because I'm used to it... I've always been on a laptop since I started designing. At work I have three massive screens, so maybe it would feel too much like being at work (911 fire dispatch) to have that at home too. Or else I'm just getting old and I now need glasses for reading but my distance vision is way better than perfect! As in, I can read the teeny tiny "made by" print under the tiny print on the eye chart at the eye doctor's office. Last time I went I asked if I could just skip to that part and he was amazed that I could see it!

 

[rach3975]

I say go big or go home! Lol bigger the better! I just recently added a 3rd monitor (got a free one from hubby's work) and while they are different sizes- I LOVE using 3! Sometimes I just watch Netflix on one while using the other 2 for scrapping... or one for all the previews of the supplies I'm using etc. I'm on my phone so I can't seem to link my desk pic- but here's my setup!
https://www.flickr.com/gp/139774214@N02/014W0M

3 monitors is heavy duty scrapping, LOL! Thanks for sharing your setup.

 

[LJSDesigns]

I just measured my monitor and it is 23 inches. I have an U shaped desk and sit at an angle, so I don't think two monitors are my best option, but I measured the area and I could fit a much bigger one, so guess what I will be purchasing in the not too distant future. I can take the one I have and recycle it to the other side of the room to my work station and use it for working at home. The one I have there now is a measly 15 inches and at the office I use two 27 inch ones and am adding a third in the near future. Being a Planner means I need to look at a lot of information and how it falls in line with everything else, so bigger is better.

 

[craftytam]

I say go big or go home! Lol bigger the better! I just recently added a 3rd monitor (got a free one from hubby's work) and while they are different sizes- I LOVE using 3! Sometimes I just watch Netflix on one while using the other 2 for scrapping... or one for all the previews of the supplies I'm using etc. I'm on my phone so I can't seem to link my desk pic- but here's my setup!
https://www.flickr.com/gp/139774214@N02/014W0M

Great setup, Amie!! I have 3 monitors. I love it!

Yup, just the one little monitor. I guess because I'm used to it... I've always been on a laptop since I started designing. At work I have three massive screens, so maybe it would feel too much like being at work (911 fire dispatch) to have that at home too. Or else I'm just getting old and I now need glasses for reading but my distance vision is way better than perfect! As in, I can read the teeny tiny "made by" print under the tiny print on the eye chart at the eye doctor's office. Last time I went I asked if I could just skip to that part and he was amazed that I could see it!

LOL! I guess it makes sense that you don't want it to feel like work. I have a 15 inch laptop, and I despise scrapping on it. My eyesight is getting so bad. I really need to have my eyes checked. I'm sure I need glasses for the computer!

 

[craftytam]

This is my setup. They are 21-inch monitors.

 

[Sherri Tierney]

I haven't read this all. I used to scrap with a 24" monitor and thought it was GREAT after upgrading from a 18 or 19". However, my eyesight and needs have changed since then. At work I use two 19" monitors and I liked that set up quite a bit until I was visiting my friend in her office and she has two 32" monitors in her work space and I was like "THIS IS IT!!" It was amazing! So that's what I want now... dual monitors at least that big, yet, here I sit on a 17" laptop.

Once my husband finishes the basement room and I get my office (after my kid moves downstairs) I am going to get a destop and set myself up the way I want. It will mostly be for scrapping but right now I'm also taking classes and a second monitor would be awesome for that as well because most of my books are digital so I have a book open as well as several other things. Sometimes I use my iPad propped up next to my laptop so that it kind of serves as a second monitor.