Number of Monitors for PCB Design - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: maxpayne
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 06:45:41 am
content: What will be good choice for PCB design ?Dual monitor with 1920 1080 P 21.5 inchor Single monitor 2560 1440 P 27 inchor Single monitor 3840 2160 P 28 inchor Share your own thought !

author: Fred27
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 08:15:25 am
content: I'm a fan of dual monitors, with one portrait and one landscape. It takes a little getting used to though. Ideal for reading something or viewing webpages on the portrait whilst coding on the landscape.I use this for PCB design too, although if that's all your doing it might make more sense to be 2 x landscape.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 08:19:00 am
content: I have 3x 24" on smart wall mounts, so that when i rotate the screen the image rotates,Best for design is datasheet in portrait and layout package in landscape, but i tend to either leave the schematic open in the 3rd monitor or the 3D veiw,

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 08:19:21 am
content: Minimum 2 monitorsPreferred 3 monitors.You want one for SCH and one for Datasheets.PCB and SCH at the same time is nice for some things too.When doing firmware dev you ideally want 3 monitorsCode - SCH - Datasheet1080P is adequate, i would prioritize 3 monitors over getting higher res than 1080p.

author: cyr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 08:19:40 am
content: I would always go for multiple monitors for almost any type of work. One "main" and one (or more) for reference info (PDF, web) or various other little things.At home I have triple 2560x1440 27" (Dell U2715H), but just two would work just as well 99% of the time if I'm honest. At work I use two 24" 1920x1200 and that's fine.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 08:24:16 am
content: How much room do you have on your desk?IMHO two monitors is the way to go. It's a really versatile set-up:- one for schematic, one for PCB- one for schematic, one for data sheets- one for code, one for the target device's UI- one for code, one for simulation results- one for <whatever you're meant to be doing>, one for emailUnfortunately I'm limited by desk space, and in any case I travel a fair bit and need to take my PC with me - so my PC is a laptop, and multiple monitor configurations never seem to work well when one of them isn't always there.So, a single 24" 1920x1080 screen it is.

author: maxpayne
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 08:56:25 am
content: Awesome guys !So, bottom line is fullHD multiple monitor is more preferable than single 2k or 4k monitor.also its cost effective too in my country.So, I should go for dual monitorMy preferred is Asus VX229H

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 09:13:37 am
content: I'd suggest going with 4k @ 32" or higher. Would easily replace 2 x 22"-24" monitors and can be powered directly from a single DisplayPort connector (or hdmi 1.4 or better). 4k TN panels are cheap, and for office work the color variation/distortion when you're looking at the monitor from various view angles (which is noticeable with such large resolution) won't matter that much.You'll save space by going with a single monitor and you'll also have remaining connectors on the video card to drive additional monitors (for example an 1080p 22-24" rotated by 90 degrees on the side for long text pages / BOM lists etc )There was also a relatively cheap 40" VA (well, a VA variety closer to IPS) from Phillips which was/is quite cheap but had a few quirks so look up reviews again, a few people were complaining that the backlight of that monitor model is a little bit too blue by default and that some had banding issues ... I think it was this model :http://amzn.to/1Nm8EPZ.. here's an interesting review, guy seems to know what he's talking about :http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1FP4JSINSUYA2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00SCX78JSAnyway, for 2d and drawing pcb's it would be a good monitor regardless of those quirks..You don't list the country so I don't really know what's affordable for you and what's in stores so ...

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 09:35:12 am
content: One single large monitors need to be curved. Otherwise the view angle for the sides is too large.Two 22-24" monitors can be easily placed side by side with a small angle.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 10:29:41 am
content: 2 identical monitors side by side in extended desktop configuration as a minimum, 3 better like Psi wisely offers.

author: maxpayne
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 10:31:08 am
content: Quote from: tautech on April 12, 2016, 10:29:41 amGoing for 2 initially

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 02:13:06 pm
content: IMHO Full HD is not really suitable for PCB design. I made boards which have 0.2mm traces and the size is more than 200mm. When you zoom out they are not visible anymore. I would suggest at least 2560 but maybe even 4K for at least one monitor. And then match the other one with the same resolution. Dell makes 4K in 24 inch, I think 2-3 of that would be perfect for work.But then again, I'm dreaming, someone wake me up.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 04:00:34 pm
content: LolI've spent my entire professional career designing PCBs, and it's only in the last couple of years that screens with greater then 'full HD' have even become readily available. Most of my boards use 0.15mm tracks or narrower.Want to see the whole board? Zoom out. Want to see more detail? Zoom in!

author: Steffen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 05:00:18 pm
content: I would suggest at least two 24" 1920x1200 the same way other aleady mentioned. At work I use three 19" 1280x1024 and one 24" 1920x1200. If possible two 30" 2560x1600 are also nice to have. A 24" Monitor can be put in portrait mode as auxilliary monitor for datasheets, www, library trees etc.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 06:15:47 pm
content: Definitely >1, no upper limitYou want a full screen with the PCB and nothing else.Then another for schematic and/or datasheets and/or part lists etc.And all the non-PCB related stuff like email, web preferably on another so you don't disturb the layout of the first two.I've never found spanning a PCB over 2 (or more) monitors to be useful, even for long-thin ones, the break is just too distracting.

author: cgroen
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 07:22:20 pm
content: I'm using a 3 monitor setup here, all is 27"The center one where all the coding, layout etc is done is using 2560 x 1440, the two other (one on each side of the main screen) runs at 1920 x 1080When doing CAD, Left is used for PDF, center is pcb (or sch) and right is sch (or nothing).When coding, left is typically terminal program/logger (or a secondary IDE) etc, center is IDE (Keil) and right is Saleae analyzer etcWould not trade this for anything, productivity is top with this configuration for me!

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 07:29:27 pm
content: Do you guys with multiple monitors find you're sacrificing anything else to free up enough desk space?My desk is about the right size so I can reach it all from my sitting position. My keyboard, mouse and monitor are in the centre, right in front of me.To the left I have power supplies, a bench multimeter, desk lamp, and scope. Whatever project I'm working on sits in front of these, to the left of my keyboard.To the right, I have a soldering iron and microscope.My desk layout has evolved over the last couple of years to be ergonomic and productive, and I'm generally very happy with it. I can't see how I could add an extra screen without a bigger desk (which would mean a bigger office too), or losing the use of some other essential equipment.Do you have a 'PC' workstation and a separate 'scope' workstation? Or just a big desk?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 07:37:59 pm
content: I have an L shaped desk. In the 'point' of the L I have my monitors and in the rest of the L I have 2 work areas for testing and soldering. I'd say it is a big desk but two 23" monitors are big enough. A third wouldn't really fit. Actually I'm using only one monitor most of the time because I need to twist my neck too much to look at the other.In a different lifetime I was a head of IT at a stock broker. At some point we had to move 5 work areas for stock brokers. I counted 35 monitors in total and back then flat screens where just emerging.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 07:44:27 pm
content: 3 monitors. 2*landscape, 1 portrait.1 monitor to 1 task, spanning over monitors is incredibly annoying - even if the break is a couple of mm.even with a calibrator, getting all 3 monitors to display exactly the same is quite challenging.

author: Wilksey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 07:56:41 pm
content: I have 2 monitors now and a tablet, but in work I have 1 x 22" screen, and sometimes I do a bit on my 17" Laptop.With smart phones and tablets I don't really need a massive screen for a datasheet and schematics I print out, prefer to look at it on paper than on screen, I also print out the layout recommendations and "design notes" within datasheets, I will look at app notes on the tablet.1920 x 1080 HD resolution, but to be honest, I used to design PCB's on a 15" Samsung Syncmaster using Ranger and later EAGLE (switched to 17" shortly after), and didn't have an issue (much), you make do, but hardware is far easily accessible these days.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 08:12:06 pm
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on April 12, 2016, 07:29:27 pmLike Nico I have an L shaped workspace and yes the PC workspace is only that, but I do run my small business from it too. Multiple monitors are very useful for this too when spreadsheets, price lists, email and browser all needed at the same time. A lot of the time I only run 1 monitor and never seen the need for HD.Swivel castor wheel chair is required for easy 90 degree spin to the "real" work bench that has shelving and stacked instruments above it and further shelving to the left on a wall.

author: maxpayne
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 01:20:29 am
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on April 12, 2016, 07:29:27 pmI have separate table for my instruments and other stuff.Can you post a picture of your setup ?

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 04:10:15 am
content: Three. Big central monitor for PCB, right side monitor for schematics, left side for datasheets; a smaller monitor driven by a cheap USB to VGA adapter.But really, I want one of thesehttps://youtu.be/g4AEBiyn8Rs?t=41

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 06:09:59 am
content: I use two. 27" 2560x1440 for schematic/pcb, and a 24" 1920x1200 for data sheets/browser.Huge productivity booster for me is VirtuaWin and multiple desktops. I usually have four - email/general, PCB, Solidworks/MCAD and firmware dev (vim and terminals). Keyboard shortcuts to swap between them.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 07:24:58 am
content: I have a "U" shaped setup - left side is workbench, front is PC/monitors, right is general purpose desk.Having bench and PC at right angles keeps everything within easy reach - much better than a single long bench with wires getting mixed up with keyboard etc. Workbench is about 6" higher than PC desk.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 08:06:56 am
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on April 12, 2016, 04:00:34 pmYes. And before they used to draw PCBs with pen and before that turret board was all the rage.If something is possible to do and helps you, increases the productivity, then do it.BTW, I remember having a 19" monitor somewhere in 2000 with 1600x1200 resolution, which is similar to FHD. Higher resolution was for sure available back in the day. And there is really no reason not to spend money on some decent monitor for a few hundred, when setting up a lab is tens of thousands. Its not like monitors become obsolete.

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 01:56:44 pm
content: At least 1 2560x1440 monitor for your main task (PCB layout), a second one or a 1920x1200 monitor for your schematic. And if you have the desk space, a 3rd monitor (whatever you can get your hands on), vertical for datasheets, etc. It definitely helps if you have a corner desk so that having the monitors laid out in a curve is more natural for the space. If using just 2 monitors, the 2nd monitor can be split between a schematic and datasheet quickly using windows+left arrow and windows+right arrow.A 2560x1440 monitor (or better) is definitely nice for professional software suites, where the main window by itself a 1920x1200 monitor would be fine, but then you start stacking on toolbars and dialogs on the side, and its nice to not have to pop them out constantly. In Altium for example, I just about always have the PCB inspector for boards, and libraries for schematics opened up on the right hand side, and whatever other needed toolbar on the left hand side. By time those are big enough to be useful, you can be eating up a good bit of space.

author: noras
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 01:26:26 am
content: Of course, design PCB dual display 21.5 inch or 21.5 inch is a good side to be the best is a schematic side PCB, dual display is justified, used to know, but the dual display of graphics requirements will be relatively high.I was: 21.5 + 19 = PCB + SCH, graphics cards only support dual display output. Generally not programmed simultaneously, PDF is only used in the design of the library, the three-screen is not necessary. Fig. 3D is a screen like structure, when the general layout is also irrelevant.Screen too frequently rotated not only eyes, and sometimes even have to turn the neck.

author: maxpayne
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 03:40:39 am
content: Quote from: noras on May 17, 2016, 01:26:26 amI dont think these days grpahics card has problem like this. I am using an old GTX460 card with one monitor to DVI and another to HDMI. Using them without any problem with Asus VX229

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2016, 03:30:50 am
content: Three screens are maybe not necessary but very helpful when you need to look up the recommended layout pattern and design notes for the chip. Very useful in RF work if only to check what to do with all those NC pins: they go to ground except when they don't. etc..datasheet-layout-schematic.