Similar setup here since about 2015. 5K iMac in the center and a thunderbolt display on either side (2560x1440). IDE, terminals, and/or primary task in the center, application output on the left side, documentation/browsers/e-mail/calendar on the right.

My only complaint is one of the thunderbolt displays is getting flaky. It likes to briefly turn itself off and on again, and unfortunately Apple's braindead software flashes all three monitors on and off when this happens. I've tried replacing the display's power supply, main board, and thunderbolt cable with no luck. Other than that, the setup has been rock solid and being surrounded by monitors makes me feel like I'm running The Matrix.

I have one of those Thunderbolt Displays and it’s been a trooper. Sitting at around a decade old now and still works great. Its connector is getting worn out but as long as I don’t bump the TB2 → TB3 adapter it’s connected with it’s solid.

It’ll be a bummer when it finally goes. In addition to being a secondary monitor it also gets used to test how graphics appear on“normal” DPI displays (main monitor is a Studio Display) and while decent 2560x1440 are now cheap and ubiquitous none of them are going to be controllable via keyboard without third party software.

Interesting fact: you can use the other Thunderbolt port and a regular Thunderbolt cable (with the Thunderbolt 2-3 adapter) instead of the permanently attached one (the one with the MagSafe power cable) so there’s less stuff dangling.

That is very interesting, thanks. Will have to pick up an extra TB cable and do this.

I heard about this kind of set up often, dedicated monitors for dedicated applications/tasks. Great that it works for you, for me it just doesn't seem to make any sense.

I usually use all the monitors for the task I'm currently working on, and not for different serial tasks. For context switches I use Alt+Tab or sometimes virtual desktops.

Totally get that.. I actually don't like alt-tabbing between windows, I find it clunky.. Much like you don't like to turn your head to look at other screens.. :-)

Last detail to add is that I use Powertoys FancyZones in Windows 10 to set up zones in my screens that let me snap windows into specific layouts easily on the side monitors, so setting up dedicated layouts per-monitor is more intuitive and easy for me.

You setup is similar to mine in terms of workflow but I just have a single 48” split into three vertical panels.

This kills deep work.

Thanks for sharing your opinion! I don't have the same experience, thankfully.