External Monitor(s) Dual or Single Wide Screen? Which is better?

[Chrysalis99]

I’ve got a 2021 M1 Max 32 core GPU w/32 GIG RAM. Anyone tried both single and dual configurations with the new Macbooks? Ive read the threads here but didn’t see much mentioned about dual displays vs a single wide screen. I need more screen real estate than a single 24” and need to use the MacBook in clamshell mode.

I’m looking at either two of the LG 24MD4KL-B’s or one 34BK95U-W/5K2K. Yes I’ve read all the LG display resolution threads and it’s a heap of confusion with much being hit or miss but I’m more interested in the dual screen experience vs single wide screen. The cost would be similar so that’s negligible. Any experiences with dual monitors vs single? Pluses/minuses?

I’ve got a 6 year old 34” curved Dell Ultra Sharp (3440x1440) that looks pretty bad with my new MacBook. It’s only 109 PPI although it looks OK on Windows 10. I‘ve never used a dual screens but not opposed to it. Regardless, I want the best looking display(s) and don’t mind going to dual if it will look better and/or offer the best resolution. I just need more workable screen real estate.

 

[SjoukeW]

I am using 2 27" 4k screens (LG). When I bought them I thought: "I don't like 2 different screens, so if I want 2 identical ones this is the time to buy them", especially in the beginning in working from home covid times. I
I am a software developer, using the 2nd screen often for some extra code, internet, teams, etc. but I have to say that te 2nd screen isn't used that intensely as the first screen. I miss my second screen if it isn't there.
I never worked with one big screen in stead of 2 big ones.

 

[w5jck]

• A single 21x9 ratio screen is significantly less wide than two 16x9 ratio screens side by side. So is 21x9 enough real estate for your needs, or would 32x9 be best?
• One ultra-wide monitor means the mouse stays within a single screen. Two monitors means the mouse can sneak onto the other monitor's screen causing some temporary confusion. It is especially bad when using the mouse pointer near the common edges of the two screens.
• Two monitors require more processor/GPU load than one. But this likely won't be an issue with your premium Mac setup.

 

[jdb8167]

I’ve got a 2021 M1 Max 32 core GPU w/32 GIG RAM. Anyone tried both single and dual configurations with the new Macbooks? Ive read the threads here but didn’t see much mentioned about dual displays vs a single wide screen. I need more screen real estate than a single 24” and need to use the MacBook in clamshell mode.

I’m looking at either two of the LG 24MD4KL-B’s or one 34BK95U-W/5K2K. Yes I’ve read all the LG display resolution threads and it’s a heap of confusion with much being hit or miss but I’m more interested in the dual screen experience vs single wide screen. The cost would be similar so that’s negligible. Any experiences with dual monitors vs single? Pluses/minuses?

I’ve got a 6 year old 34” curved Dell Ultra Sharp (3440x1440) that looks pretty bad with my new MacBook. It’s only 109 PPI although it looks OK on Windows 10. I‘ve never used a dual screens but not opposed to it. Regardless, I want the best looking display(s) and don’t mind going to dual if it will look better and/or offer the best resolution. I just need more workable screen real estate.

The obvious difference is the 24MD4KL-B is 186 PPI (23.7" @3840x2160) and the 34BK95U-W is 163 PPI (34" @5120x2160). If you have decent vision and look closely you will see a difference—especially with text. Whether or not that difference is important is up to you.

 

[Chrysalis99]

Thanks for the feedback. Im slightly leaning towards dual monitors but would probably stick with the 23.7's. Seems getting much larger would challenge your peripheral vision and cause you to move your head side to side to see the entire combined screen side to side. Imagine that being a "problem"...LOL. I sit pretty close, probably 30-34" away and having a total of 54" with dual 27's seems too big.

My main hesitation was how much I liked the Dell 34" under windows and wondered how others who made the jump from widescreen to dual (if many have) felt in the long run? It was the perfect size with the Dell display manager able to configure multiple screen sectors that worked perfect for my needs. I mainly use this MacBook with Logic and need multiple on-screen views for the main, different instruments, plugin's, etc. I know you can resize windows on the fly but having it preselected was kinda nice with Dell's display manager.