[mjoin]

i'm the same. i don't understand why some fellow programmers need multiple monitors: one is already plenty enough for me. (i'm using a tiling window manager, switching back and forth between different workspaces, having another monitor would require moving my head while i can instantly switch to another workspace from my fingertips)

[beautron]

I'm the same too. Having multiple monitors makes no sense to me.

With a keypress, I can switch between fullscreen workspaces. Or place two windows side-by-side when needed. My desk is free of clutter, and I never have to deal with configuring multiple displays.

I believe multiple monitors are less elegant and less effective (though a giant workstation full of monitors is perhaps impressive to family and friends).

A similar topic: I also don't understand why some fellow programmers need syntax highlighting. Some programmers have never even tried programming without it! And to them it might feel weird to go without at first, but I think it quickly becomes clear that syntax coloring is noisy and superfluous (and you might end up wasting time picking colors, etc.). Imagine if we did that for natural language (verbs are green, nouns are red, etc.), or math notation (numbers are blue, variables are pink, operators are orange, etc.). The silliness becomes clear quickly.

[srazzaque]

+1

I've found that, for me anyway, one centered large monitor with enough real estate for your daily tasks is better than N smaller monitors. This is even if "total number of pixels" is larger on the N-monitor setup.

It's one less decision to make 1000 times a day (which monitor should this thing be on?), and reduces neck strain resulting from switching your focus between monitors.

[jmkni]

A couple of years ago my setup was three 27" 1440p monitors, these days I am down to one 13" laptop screen and am way more productive! With all that screen real estate, it's way too easy to have your "work" on two of the screens, then Reddit/Hacker News on the the third screen and kid yourself that you are "working".

[bee_rider]

I usually like 1.

But, it can be nice to have one for output; plots or something.

I assume folks who work in a corporate environment would want one for slack, outlook, or whatever.

[vivab0rg]

You don't need to "move your head around" if you use TWMs like xmonad or spectrwm.