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Can a Larger Monitor Make You More Productive?

March 12th, 2008 @ 6:39 am

4 Comments

Categories: Computers, Time-Savers

Tags: Monitor, Monitors & Displays, Hardware, Components, Rick Broida

acer-lcd.jpgAccording to University of Utah researchers, using a larger monitor could save you 2.5 hours per day.

Specifically, test subjects completed everyday tasks like editing documents and massaging spreadsheets 52% faster when using a 24-inch monitor than they did with an 18-incher.

Of course, the study was conducted by monitor-maker NEC, which raises a fairly mammoth red flag. But here’s what I find particularly curious: 18-inch monitors? That seems like a really odd choice, given that most people use either 17- or 19-inch screens.

That said, last year I switched from a 19-inch monitor to a 22-inch widescreen LCD, and while it took me a while to adjust to the larger area, there’s little doubt in my mind that I’m working more efficiently.

What about you? Have you noticed any productivity gains from your larger monitor? Would you recommend an upgrade to those still using smaller screens? Hit the Comments and share your thoughts on whether size really matters. [The Wall Street Journal via Web Worker Daily]

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  •  
    1

    AristonCC

    03/12/08 | Report as spam

    I prefer having two monitors

    I'd rather go for two monitors rather than one large one. Even with a large monitor you still have windows on top of one another. With two monitors you can spread things out.

  •  
    2

    scjmfamily

    03/13/08 | Report as spam

    Two monitors totally rock

    I aggree with the 2 monitors. I have a larger monitor at home and I don't get more done due to the size. How ever at work I use two monitors and can save a ton of time and not to mention paper by having the split screen.

  •  
    3

    Mendrel

    03/13/08 | Report as spam

    RE: Can a Larger Monitor Make You More Productive?

    I convinced the boss to upgrade many of the monitors from 15" CRT's to 22" LCD's. I can now see more data/information at a glance than ever before. Totally worth it. The employees who had poor vison found that the larger monitor made seeing things much easier as they could still see the same amount of information, but at a larger magnification.

  •  
    4

    gurubelt

    03/13/08 | Report as spam

    RE: Can a Larger Monitor Make You More Productive?

    I am an analyst and would definitely vouch and vote for larger (especially W I D E R ) screens

    1. It provides a more complete picture of the data/vision diagrams
    2. Eliminates repeated scrolling (this wastes a lot of time and adds to the carpal tunnel....
    3. There is synergy in being able to have a macro and micro view of the data for scientists, engineers and analysts

    .... would like to hear from the creative folks...

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