When it comes to monitors, size matters

I currently have an 23-inch Apple Cinema Display, and absolutely love it! I can have two web pages opened at the same time, and when I work in Final Cut Pro or Photoshop, I have a bigger workspace. As a matter of fact, I hate working on the MacBook Pro's tiny 15-inch display because it slows down my productivity.

Surprisingly, a recent study by the University of Utah found that bigger monitors significantly improve a worker's productivity. Researchers noticed that people who used 20- and 24-inch monitors performed tasks like editing documents and spreadsheets, faster than those who had 18-inch monitors, but they also noticed a drop in productivity when people used a 26-inch screen. The study funded by NEC (who makes computer monitors) concluded that people with larger monitors could save 2.5 hours a day.

James Anderson, the professor who headed the study, told the Wall Street Journal that people who have to move data between files are the ones who will benefit the most from a bigger screen or multiple screens. For this reason, he recommend businesses take the time to match employees with the proper screen size based on their job requirements, adding that size does matter so get the biggest screen you can.

I have to agree that bigger monitors do make a big difference, and like I said earlier, I'm perfectly satisfied with my 23-inch display. What about you? What's the biggest display you've had? Do you think you can benefit from a bigger display at work?