Ask HN: experience using big LCD TV (42"+) as monitor?

Re:Ask HN: experience using big LCD TV (42"+) as monitor? by brk on Monday June 02, 2008 @04:56PM (#207271)

It all depends on what you expect from the display.

A 42" plasma/lcd/etc doesn't have as much resolution/pixels as even a standard 22" monitor these days. So while your image is larger, it's also going to be less crisp. Text will generally be less readable as well.

If your use is primarily graphical, then it may work very well for you. If you think it's going to function as a true second monitor for day-to-day stuff, you'll probably be disappointed.

FWIW, I have 2 42" displays and a 60" display, all with Mac Mini's attached to them (along with various other devices) at my house. They work great for watching movies, general/occasional web surfing, weather, etc. They do NOT work well (IMO) for reading emails, reading text-heavy sites (like HN), doing heavy photoshop work, etc. YMMV.

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Re:Ask HN: experience using big LCD TV (42"+) as monitor? by menloparkbum on Monday June 02, 2008 @06:50PM (#207387)

My plan was to develop on laptop screen then run the art on the TV. However, I was hoping that the TV would be usable for reading email, etc, if I bumped up the font size. Maybe I can find a friend with said TV and try it out for a while.

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Re:Ask HN: experience using big LCD TV (42"+) as monitor? by brk on Monday June 02, 2008 @07:24PM (#207416)

It might work if you bump up the font size, but then when your email app is on your regular screen the fonts will seem HUGE.

You might be able to use the TV for "skimming" email.

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