Your preferred desktop setup for financial modeling - one ultra wide monitor or 2+ smaller monitors?
You have a large spreadsheet/financial model that you are building + multiple PDF docs that contain critical input information for that model (think 10k, industry research report etc.) + PPT pitch or Word-based teaser that you need to prepare on the basis of your model.
What desktop setup works better for you? One ultra-wide monitor + connected laptop screen or 2-3 smaller monitors side-by-side connected to a work station?
I am about to set up my work station and need to choose how to invest in it. Will be grateful to hear for any feedback from the people who do the above 10-11 hours a day 6-days a week.
Edit: Thanks a lot for a feedback guys. Looks like most here side with 2-3 smaller monitors setup vs one ultra wide. The reason I posted that question is that I am very eager to buy the new M1 Macbook but it totally bums me out that it only supports one external display.
Following
Two smaller monitors because of SHIFT + WINDOW + left and right arrows.
This
Shortcuts make snapping windows easier with 2 monitors vs half-screening on an ultra wide
Rocking the hybrid with 3 total screens. 30” monitor for model, laptop screen for the memo/PPT, then source documents on my smaller monitor which also has my always open stuff like Outlook, browser for googling/research portals, streaming sports, and file directory (explorer and/or Q Dir). The resolution on the bigger monitor lets me see a lot of real estate in excel. Not crucial but helps a little.
I like my laptop keyboard for emails and memos but need the old fashioned guy in front of the bigger monitor to really mash models.
2 screens side by side w/ laptop as 3rd screen below. Like this better than a super wide monitor because of how windows "snap" more easily
This + monitor arms which rotate
Are you guys rocking the keyboard / mousepad from your laptop right below to operate the monitors or is it better to invest in a separate keyboard / mouse to use for monitors in addition to having your laptop right beside?
Definitely get a separate mouse at least. Keyboard I'd say is personal preference / depends on how your desk is set up.
Would recommend a separate keyboard if you have space. Bad for your wrists long-term to be constantly working on a cramped laptop keyboard.
Separate mouse and do yourself a favor and get mechanical keyboard. There's no better high than hearing those bad boys click away on a model lmao
I rock a 4 monitor setup(srs)(all smaller sized). You need to buy a compatible docking station to make it work.
Have the two interior monitors showing either a model, ppt, and/or outlook. Exterior left and right monitor rotate between blacked pornhub clips on one and a live feed update of onlyfans/patreon cam girls I follow on the other. Its a pretty legit setup and I get a lot of work accomplished efficiently.
Let me know if you need monitor recs.
Lmao sounds legit. And yea would appreciate some recs on good monitors - also in the process of getting a new and improved set up
Ever since we went to 38” ultrawides at the office, I can’t go back to dual monitors again. I can have two small screens within the ultrawide (snapping shortcuts) or one big screen if I need to work across a mega-model.
Over the years I’ve found that my favorite setup is having one widescreen in the middle (for excel/ppt) and two smaller monitors with traditional dimensions (for email, pdfs, internet etc) on each side. You’ll need a docking station obviously if connecting laptop. I tried side by side widescreens once and that was a big mistake.
What was the issue with side by side widescreens?
It just doesn’t work as well as you’d imagine. You have to tilt the screens inward somewhat but it still ends up being a lot of distance for your eyes to cover and I found it somewhat disorienting. You really don’t need a widescreen for PPT or email or internet/pdfs as you generally end up having significant unused space on the side margins for that monitor. For modelling, the widescreen is definitely best but I didn’t like having to shift one side. It’s more comfortable to be looking straight ahead.
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