21" vs 23" monitor for reading 2 pages side-by-side

[Penquin-007]

Hello,
I would like to buy a widescreen monitor to be able to read 2 pdf pages side-by-side. I read a lot of scientic articles in PDF format and I'm wondering if a 20 or 21inch monitor would be enough for that purpose.

What do you think?

 

[PrOeliuM]

This will of course depend on how good your eyes are, since if you can't read anything unless it's blown up then your ability to have several pdfs side by side may be hampered. For my eyes, I find my 20 inch (1680x1050) monitor to work very well for two pdfs though. I've attached a screenshot that shows two pdfs side by side at a readable font. This should give you an idea of what to expect. If you closed both drawers, you'd have even more space left over.

 

[Heath]

I find my 24" works great for this as well, code in one window, reference manual/textbook/doodle space beside it.

My 20" felt cramped when I tried that, if you can make sure to get a widescreen monitor, it helps a lot with the side by side viewing.