Ask HN: Which Monitor should I buy for long hours coding?

[jalan]

Recently, I've been coding a lot on my 14" Dell Vostro Notebook, and I find it straining on my eyes.

I am planning on purchasing at least 23" Monitor, and I am having hard time deciding which one should I buy.

So please recommend which monitor should I buy, primarily for long hours coding.

[drill_sarge]

I don't name a specific model, because if you buy a monitor which is not the cheapest of the cheap it doesn't make that much of a difference, just a couple of tips:

First make sure you have a monitor with a quality panel - no TN. If its IPS or some S-PVA/P-MVA doesn't matter. Maybe take a look at different panels in a shop. I am personally very happy with my MVA-Panel monitor because of the good black levels. Try to avoid glare panels AND glare frames around the panel.

Next, make sure the monitor can be adjusted, not only in height but also tilt. I found that really useful adjusting the monitor to my seating position.

Regarding eye strain, the most common cause of this is setting the monitor backlight too high. Especially with LED backlights. Even in a normal lit room I only have set the backlight to around 10%. You may need to get adjusted to this first if you are used to normal settings (e.g. the default settings of the monitor which are always way too high), but for me it helped great deal with eye strain and headaches.

[ivank]

Assuming your monitor is inside the range your eyes can focus on, if it's straining your eyes, you can try turning the brightness down, as well as using f.lux or redshift to reduce the color temperature from ~7500K to ~3500K. You might appreciate the low color temperature even during the day, as it's less blue light for your eyes to deal with.

[adandy]

I'm not sure you are asking the right question. If you goal is to reduce eye strain which can lead to terrible headaches simply getting a monitor is not the total solution. I went through a few doctors and even an MRI only to discover accidentally that my new vision prescription and new phone/computer habits fixed it right up. You are getting older every day. This is what works for me, try it and see if it helps:

1) keep ALL screens at arms length from your face 2) code at night with a lamp on 3) 2x 27 inch displays (new toys!) 4) Look off into space here and there

I tried f.lux but I don't think it did anything for my sleep or eyes.

[fluxon]

For eyestrain, don't forget enough sleep, hydration, breaks, maybe reading glasses, f.lux, proper low glare ambient lighting, and astigmatism (get your eyes checked at Costco - cheap & no membership required).

Craigslist is your friend for trying out monitors before you buy, then buying one, of course. So, too, is taking your laptop to the local computer store and testing (if they'll let you) several sizes and shapes. I'm comfortable (sitting) with a Dell 24" appearing above my laptop screen. Standing, I haven't made up my mind yet.

Given buying another monitor now, I'd go with IPS as others have advocated here.

[FlyingAvatar]

Honestly, I am fine with any IPS display.

I also have taken the somewhat crazy looking step of getting some "prescription" (I have 20/20 vision normally.) glasses made with some light magnification +0.5 to +1.0 and are tinted 40% yellow. That way you don't have to mess with your monitor's color calibration, and it will filter the blues from any outside lighting as well. Also, it's pretty cheap, as you can order them for <$40 from most online eyewear places.

[michaelfdeberry → FlyingAvatar]

I recently got a pair of glasses with a slight tint and it does seem to make a big different. I went with slight grey tint since they are my everyday glasses, but I think any tint will probably help. I would also recommend an anti-reflective coating.

I also agree about the IPS monitor, they are much easier to look at.

[prajjwal]

This little app called f.lux (http://justgetflux.com/) really helps with the eye strain problem. Use redshift (http://jonls.dk/redshift/) if you're on linux. Allows you to set the daytime color & can read from a config file.

[ScottWhigham]

I tried the Dell Ultrasharp and sent it back - it wasn't crisp enough and I found that my eyes hurt after long hours of coding. I moved to the Samsung higher end model (which was $300ish at the time) and that was it - worked great. I'm on an Acer G235H now and it's great - no eye trouble at all and I have very sensitive eyes.

[sejje]

Move the screen farther away from your face.

Also, get a pair of very low-power reading glasses (+0.75 or +1). I use reading glasses while I work all day, despite not having any real "need" for them...they just make things easier on your ciliary muscles.

FWIW that was recommended by a retired optometrist friend of mine.

[chris_va]

I've had good success with the dell ultrasharp 27.

You can dock a retina to it and get full resolution.

[diorray]

I don't know but don't buy DELL U2312HM, it was too bright even on low settings so it hurts eyes. Buy something that have a sensor that auto adjusts brightness.

[stomljen]

Light your work area with full spectrum light bulbs. Simulating outdoor light helps with eye strain. I can't code without them.

[Randgalt]

Caveat: I'm an Apple Fanboi - but the 27" Cinema Display is like warm butter for your eyes.

[xwowsersx → Randgalt]

I used the Cinema Display day in and day out for a long time, but then I got a retina MBP and found that it was hard switching back to the Cinema.

[Randgalt → xwowsersx]

I'm in the same boat. I had fingers crossed at the last Apple event for a 4K Cinema Display.

[spada → Randgalt]

it really is. the cost is steep but i justified it based on how much time i spend in front of it.

[staunch]

Dell Ultrasharp.