Portrait/Vertical Monitor Options That Are Similar in Height to Main Monitor?

jrowls on 22/03/2024 - 15:22

Bit of a weirdly-worded question but I've been struggling to google this… found a few discussions on here and elsewhere but with different reasons and requirements. Perhaps there's a good reason or I'm missing something obvious?

Anyway, what I want to do is have a second monitor that's basically half the size of my current monitor, set up in a portrait/vertical arrangement to one side. I mostly do writing and research, some number crunching and other technical stuff, but regardless, I almost always want to have something constantly open to refer to or take notes in.

Current set up:
* Macbook pro
* Dell S2722QC (usb-c hub monitor)

Needs/wants:
* Screen dimensions that are similar in the long axis as my current monitor is in its short axis (around 34cm).
* Simplicity / minimal clutter
* Well-made, decent looking
* Usb-c input (could this be daisy-chained from the monitor or would I have to have both connected to my laptop?)

I've been looking at espresso's monitors as I would get some use out of the touch screen and pen and they look like a decent product, but I am aware that there are cheaper and similar things out there. I don't really need it to be portable so I looked to the regular monitor world, but they all seem to be significantly larger than the sort of size I'm after.

Appreciate any inputs.

Computing Computer Peripheral LCD Monitor

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 22/03/2024 - 15:25

    How about an iPad via Sidecar?

    • jrowls on 24/03/2024 - 15:00

      i already have an ipad (mini) and have thought about this but realistically it's too small for that, and i don't want to buy another.

  • barge-in hunter on 22/03/2024 - 15:40
    +2
    • Screen dimensions that are similar in the long axis as my current monitor is in its short axis (around 34cm).

    This one's the tricky part tbh; even the standard 21.5" screens are 45cm+ high in this orientation.

    Honestly, I've found a 21-24" screen in portrait (next to my 27") as a really good middle ground - they don't overhang so much that you're nodding up and down to read them, but give you enough screen space to make it worthwhile.

    Just remember, as much as some of the small portable screens (that are 34cm 'high') look great standalone, you'll probably want a screen to have a similar DPI/PPI to your current 27. If they're too different, you'll find the constant size transition an annoying eye strain.

    Edit: or you could just look at a single screen upgrade. I find 34" UWQHD is a very nice format for productivity

    • bargaino on 22/03/2024 - 16:33

      The 27" 4k has 0.1554 mm pixels.

      To match that, you'd want about an 18" QHD screen, if such a thing existed.
      Or a 14" FHD screen? There are plenty of those around. Not as tall in portrait as your 27", but it can be nice to have the pixel size similar.

      • barge-in hunter on 22/03/2024 - 17:17

        Good call, I thought that Dell was a qhd

    • jrowls on 24/03/2024 - 15:02

      this is a good shout, thanks. i hadn't really considered that I could have the top aligned and the bottom not aligned, i like that.

      still doesn't solve the issue of the size and bulk compared to a far smaller monitor - i don't have a whole lot of real estate to play with.

      i definitely don't want a single screen, having the ability to genuinely compartmentalise stuff is the main benefit imo. screen 1 would be for active stuff whilst screen 2 would be relatively static.

  • m a c9 on 22/03/2024 - 15:53

    tab s8 ultra?

  • l0nglive on 22/03/2024 - 15:55
    +1

    I am looking for a similar thing. I found that people often go very big for the mid screen. The side should be 24 inch because they are popular and cheap. But we have to put the monitors further towards the back of the desk.

    I am still researching the exact models to buy.

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