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Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 12-May-2022 6:13pm
by telaxman
Hi,

What is the best monitor setup for tax preparation? or any advice.

I currently have 2 monitors, which is handy (obviously compared to one) especially for Lacerte, because you can have the input on one screen and the Forms (split screen) on the other.

But, I think I need a third screen (for even more efficiency).

Do you like one super big screen and a second smaller one? stacked vertically? 3 side-by-side? something else?


Thanks! 8-)

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 12-May-2022 6:48pm
by TaxMan2020
One of My IT guys swears by a 40 inch TV with a plug-in from Microsoft to allow him to set windows that are like monitors.

I have used them stacked and didn’t like it. Side by side takes up so much space so it’s tough to have that 3rd.

Personally for 3, I like two horizontal and 1 vertical, using the vertical for the forms view in lacerte or PDFs and the horizontal for everything else. With this setup you can do 24s for the horizontal and you can get by with a little smaller for the vertical and still be efficient

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 12-May-2022 7:28pm
by CaptCook
Same
For years, I've used two landscape monitors with a portrait between them.
We recently switched nearly everyone in the office to a three arm setup that clamps to the back ledge of the desk.

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 12-May-2022 8:23pm
by telaxman
CaptCook wrote:Same
For years, I've used two landscape monitors with a portrait between them.
We recently switched nearly everyone in the office to a three arm setup that clamps to the back ledge of the desk.


Thanks, you put the portrait in the middle? I would probably put it on either side.

I feel like the monitor setup is super important for a tax preparer!

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 12-May-2022 8:25pm
by telaxman
TaxMan2020 wrote:One of My IT guys swears by a 40 inch TV with a plug-in from Microsoft to allow him to set windows that are like monitors.

I have used them stacked and didn’t like it. Side by side takes up so much space so it’s tough to have that 3rd.

Personally for 3, I like two horizontal and 1 vertical, using the vertical for the forms view in lacerte or PDFs and the horizontal for everything else. With this setup you can do 24s for the horizontal and you can get by with a little smaller for the vertical and still be efficient


Yeah, my other concern is that I have to meet with clients and there is only so much space on my desk.

The 40inch w/ plug-in sounds interesting!!!, can you give me anymore info on that?

Also, I like the idea of stacked because of the footprint, but I don't think I would like how it looks...

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 13-May-2022 4:01am
by smtcpa
UltraTax allows me to split the screen, like you have, but all on one monitor. That leaves my second monitor for the source documents. Does Lacerte let you do that? It would avoid a third monitor. I don't know where I'd put three monitors.

telaxman wrote:Hi,

I currently have 2 monitors, which is handy (obviously compared to one) especially for Lacerte, because you can have the input on one screen and the Forms (split screen) on the other.


Thanks! 8-)

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 13-May-2022 5:21am
by TaxMan2020
telaxman wrote:
TaxMan2020 wrote:One of My IT guys swears by a 40 inch TV with a plug-in from Microsoft to allow him to set windows that are like monitors.

I have used them stacked and didn’t like it. Side by side takes up so much space so it’s tough to have that 3rd.

Personally for 3, I like two horizontal and 1 vertical, using the vertical for the forms view in lacerte or PDFs and the horizontal for everything else. With this setup you can do 24s for the horizontal and you can get by with a little smaller for the vertical and still be efficient


Yeah, my other concern is that I have to meet with clients and there is only so much space on my desk.

The 40inch w/ plug-in sounds interesting!!!, can you give me anymore info on that?

Also, I like the idea of stacked because of the footprint, but I don't think I would like how it looks...


https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/window ... fancyzones

It’s part of the power toys collection. You basically split your window into whatever size you want and then you can drag it and as long as it hits the corner it will auto fill it. You can also use command keys to move it based on what he was telling me

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 13-May-2022 5:23am
by TaxMan2020
You can, but depending on your monitor size you make not be able to see the detail that you want

smtcpa wrote:UltraTax allows me to split the screen, like you have, but all on one monitor. That leaves my second monitor for the source documents. Does Lacerte let you do that? It would avoid a third monitor. I don't know where I'd put three monitors.

telaxman wrote:Hi,

I currently have 2 monitors, which is handy (obviously compared to one) especially for Lacerte, because you can have the input on one screen and the Forms (split screen) on the other.


Thanks! 8-)

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 14-May-2022 3:07am
by CornerstoneCPA
My primary setup is three 32" monitors with 2560x1440 resolution. I love the size of the monitors but I wish they were a bit higher resolution, though they become very pricey. I'll be upgrading them sooner than later; I have had two of the three 32" since 2015/2016 and the image on lighter colors is starting to look like rolling clouds.

I have another setup in Michigan that is just my laptop and dual 24" 1080p monitors. Not a fan of it right now; my laptop has a 15.6" 4k screen (stupid decision on my part since I rarely use my laptop without connected monitors) and it doesn't scale well, so the 1080p screens are hugely insufficient. I did it being cheap since I already had one of the monitors and figured it would be OK. I'm going to try a different 1080p laptop I have to see if the setup works better with a laptop that is also 1080p.

I have previously used TVs because you can get a large TV for less than a large monitor but the main difference, which is noticeable to me, is pixel density. Monitors have far more pixels and thus provide a clearer image when working so closely to it such as at a desk. TVs are perfect if your viewing distance is across a large table or room.

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 14-May-2022 10:37am
by RazorbackCPA
I have a three monitor setup with 2 vertical and horizontal, going from left to right.

The two vertical are 26", which got the width I wanted for reading 8 X 11 images really well, but they are a bit tall. I have them set as low as they can go and it works pretty well.

My horizontal monitor is 32" curved screen is frankly where I do most of my tax software work and excel work.

I wish the technology world realized that there is still a huge demand and benefit of square monitors. The widescreen is great for video and excel, but little else IMHO. A square monitor would cut the wasted space that's too far up and allow for even greater readability of an 8 X 11 document (like a tax form) and perhaps the markings/tickmarks beside it. They make such monitors, but at over $1,000 each for anything of significant size, I can't pull the trigger.

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 15-May-2022 1:36pm
by telaxman
That sounds like a great setup!

Do you like the curved screen? I have never used one.

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 15-May-2022 9:43pm
by RazorbackCPA
telaxman wrote:That sounds like a great setup!

Do you like the curved screen? I have never used one.


It’s very handy, particularly on a bigger screen

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 18-May-2022 4:13am
by MWEA
I have four 32 inch monitors, two low and two high (clamped to back of a standing desk). Tax software and docs across the bottom. Teams in the upper left as that’s how we mainly communicate in the office. The floating monitor is typically either email or an Internet browser.

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 19-May-2022 7:52am
by RazorbackCPA
MWEA wrote:I have four 32 inch monitors, two low and two high (clamped to back of a standing desk). Tax software and docs across the bottom. Teams in the upper left as that’s how we mainly communicate in the office. The floating monitor is typically either email or an Internet browser.



I like the idea of that too. Been trying to find space for a 4th monitor but it would completely block people from being able to see me. So maybe I should…

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 19-May-2022 8:43am
by CornerstoneCPA
MWEA wrote:I have four 32 inch monitors, two low and two high (clamped to back of a standing desk). Tax software and docs across the bottom. Teams in the upper left as that’s how we mainly communicate in the office. The floating monitor is typically either email or an Internet browser.


I like this idea. Before I returned to public accounting, I had a six monitor stack clamped to my desk and every single one was utilized. The owners that it was asinine but that is only because they did not understand how much I had to look at or do at once, including watching some idiot coworkers on camera for theft or other stupid things they routinely did.

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 19-May-2022 4:29pm
by ReckedCPAEA
Old office was 3 monitors, left to right was a 19, then dual 22's.

New situation is similar.
2 locations, laptop dock at each.
Main work area in my home office has the 17" laptop on a stand to the left, then dual 24's for the middle and right side. The 24's are big enough to make a full 8.5x11 page readable and approximately true size.
My office space that I keep to meet with clients has the same laptop stand to elevate the laptop off the desk about 6 inches, and then dual 19's.
19's are not enough. Serves the purpose to be able to easily look at things quickly during an appointment, but just not enough real estate to work effectively and efficiently.

Just a note for any younger folks. Keep in mind your posture and neck position when setting up your work area. I've been dealing with some nerve issues in my neck that was likely an old injury, that has progressively gotten worse. I have the 24's on a stand and they were elevated above the desk to make the area under them usable and accessible, I think that combined with my poor accountant posture really set me back.
Also, a variable sit/stand desk has been pretty life changing for me. Highly recommended.
I got a 72x30, I think it was under $1000. Absolutely worth it, you can get a smaller one for less, your future self will thank you.

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 19-May-2022 6:47pm
by TaxMan2020
Which standing desk do you have?

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 19-May-2022 9:34pm
by ReckedCPAEA
Fully.com
Jarvis bamboo 3 stage frame with programmable switch.

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 25-May-2022 10:14am
by adamant
I went to 3 27" monitors at 1440p resolution. best tech upgrade I've done in years.

I previously had 3 24" at 1080p.

3 is the sweetspot IMO, particularly if you work from a paperless system.

Re: Best monitor setup

PostPosted: 30-May-2022 4:01pm
by telaxman
adamant wrote:I went to 3 27" monitors at 1440p resolution. best tech upgrade I've done in years.

I previously had 3 24" at 1080p.

3 is the sweetspot IMO, particularly if you work from a paperless system.


Are any of those monitors vertical? or are they all horizontal next to each other?

I just bought a 32" monitor and I am figuring out the setup now. I am thinking about having the 32" in the middle, and two vertical 27" monitors either side.

The vertical monitors save a lot of space on the desk, which I like.