For years, I used dual monitors. Two 27-inch 4K displays side by side, code on the left, browser and terminal on the right. It worked. Then I switched to a single ultrawide — and I’m never going back.
But I know the dual vs. ultrawide debate is more nuanced than “just buy what I use.” So let me break down both options honestly, based on years of daily use shipping code at GitHub.
Quick Picks
| Monitor | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| LG 40WP95C-W | Best ultrawide for developers | ~$1,300 |
| Dell U3423WE | Best mid-range ultrawide | ~$750 |
| Dual 27” 4K | Best for strict separation workflows | ~$600-800 total |
The Case for Ultrawide
An ultrawide gives you one continuous canvas. No bezel in the middle. No mismatched color profiles. No fumbling with window snapping across display boundaries.
As a developer, here’s my typical layout on my LG 40WP95C-W:
- Left third: VS Code (or Neovim) with file tree and code
- Center third: Browser with PR reviews, documentation, or the app I’m building
- Right third: Terminal, Slack, or GitHub notifications
This 5K2K resolution (5120x2160) means each “third” has more horizontal pixels than a standard 1080p monitor. Text is crisp, and I can comfortably read 120+ character lines without horizontal scrolling.
The Case for Dual Monitors
Dual monitors still have legitimate advantages:
- True separation — Full-screen an app on one display without affecting the other
- Video calls — Dedicate one screen to the Zoom grid while working on the other
- Cost — Two decent 27” 4K monitors can be cheaper than one premium ultrawide
- Redundancy — If one dies, you still have a display
Detailed Reviews
LG 40WP95C-W — Best Ultrawide for Developers
The LG 40WP95C-W is a 40-inch curved 5K2K ultrawide with Thunderbolt 4 and 96W power delivery. It’s the monitor I’ve used daily for over a year.
Pros:
- 5K2K resolution (5120x2160) — absurd pixel density for text
- Thunderbolt 4 with 96W PD — single cable for everything
- 98% DCI-P3 color gamut — accurate for front-end work
- Nano IPS panel — wide viewing angles, excellent uniformity
- Subtle curve (2300R) reduces eye strain without warping text
Cons:
- Expensive at ~$1,300
- 60Hz refresh rate (fine for coding, not for gaming)
- Big and heavy — need a desk at least 55” wide
- Stand has a large footprint (consider a VESA arm)
Best for: Senior developers who want the ultimate single-monitor coding experience with one-cable docking.
Dell U3423WE — Best Mid-Range Ultrawide
If the LG’s price is too steep, the Dell U3423WE is an excellent alternative. 34 inches, WQHD (3440x1440), USB-C with 90W PD, and Dell’s excellent build quality.
Pros:
- USB-C with 90W power delivery
- IPS Black technology — deeper blacks than standard IPS
- Built-in KVM switch — switch between two computers easily
- Excellent color accuracy (sRGB 100%, DCI-P3 98%)
- More manageable size than the 40” LG
Cons:
- 3440x1440 means less vertical resolution than 4K
- Only USB-C, not Thunderbolt (fine for most setups)
- Slightly washed out in very bright rooms
Best for: Developers who want an ultrawide with great connectivity but don’t need 5K resolution.
Dual 27” 4K — Best for Separation Workflows
If you frequently share one screen on calls while working on another, or if you run full-screen apps (like design tools) alongside code, dual 4K monitors are still a great choice. I recommend any recent 27” 4K IPS panel from Dell, LG, or ASUS — they’re all excellent in this category now.
Pros:
- Full 4K (3840x2160) on each display
- True full-screen per app
- Easy screen sharing — share just one monitor
- Cheaper total cost than a premium ultrawide
Cons:
- The bezel gap is real and annoying for split coding
- Two cables, two power supplies, more desk clutter
- Color matching between panels is never perfect
- Window management across displays requires more setup
Best for: Developers who do lots of screen sharing and prefer strict app-per-display workflows.
Comparison Table
| Feature | LG 40WP95C-W | Dell U3423WE | Dual 27” 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 5120x2160 | 3440x1440 | 3840x2160 each |
| Size | 40” | 34” | 27” each |
| Connectivity | Thunderbolt 4 | USB-C | Varies |
| Power Delivery | 96W | 90W | Usually none |
| Price | ~$1,300 | ~$750 | ~$300-400 each |
| Cables Needed | 1 | 1 | 2+ |
| Bezel Gap | None | None | Yes |
| Screen Sharing | More setup | More setup | Easy |
What I Actually Use
I use the LG 40WP95C-W connected to my MacBook Pro via a single Thunderbolt 4 cable through my CalDigit TS4 dock. The one-cable setup is genuinely transformative — I come to my desk, plug in one cable, and I have my monitor, ethernet, all USB devices, and charging. Done.
The 5K2K resolution at 40 inches is the sweet spot for code. I run my editor at native resolution and text is razor sharp. Three columns of content fit comfortably without anything feeling cramped.
Tips for Coding on Any Monitor
Regardless of which monitor you choose:
- Use a window manager — Rectangle (macOS) or PowerToys (Windows) for snapping
- Increase font size — If you’re squinting, your monitor is fine but your font is too small
- Dark mode helps — Less eye strain on large displays, especially in the evening
- Get a good desk lamp — The FlexiSpot E7 Pro pairs great with a BenQ ScreenBar
- VESA mount > included stand — Reclaim desk space and get better adjustability
FAQ
Is 4K enough for coding? Yes, absolutely. 4K at 27” gives you 163 PPI which is excellent for text. 5K2K at 40” gives you similar pixel density. Both are great.
Do I need Thunderbolt? If you have a MacBook Pro, Thunderbolt is a game-changer for single-cable docking. If you use a desktop, regular HDMI or DisplayPort is fine.
What about curved vs flat? For ultrawide (34”+), curved is better. It keeps the edges of the screen at a more consistent distance from your eyes. For 27” monitors, flat is fine.
Will an ultrawide work with Linux? Yes, but window management is better with tools like PaperWM or Pop Shell. Out of the box, tiling on GNOME/KDE works fine with ultrawides.
Can I use an ultrawide for gaming too? The LG and Dell monitors are 60Hz, so they’re fine for casual gaming but not competitive. If gaming matters, look at 34” ultrawides with 144Hz+ panels.
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