The Ultimate Coding Monitor? BenQ RD280U Review

[@3bodyproblems]

It's refreshing to see content for engineers and software developers regarding hardware and how they help with productivity.

[@DamianPEdwards]

Thanks! Make sure you check out Alex Ziskind's channel if you haven't already as he does a bunch of dev-focused hardware content: www.youtube.com/@AZisk

[@magfal]

I hope they make a 120+Hz version with absolutely minimal bezels and USB panel control thats run on a separate USB connection with an app that's capable of running 8 monitors and works on Linux under ARM so that i can run a 9 inch monitor-control touch screen monitor for my 8 main monitors at my desk. My Dell u3014t are starting to get ready for a worthwhile upgrade to come to market.

[@sayedha]

Great video Damian, I found that you’re way more passionate about monitors than I am. For those that watch this that don’t know Damian, he’s legit, been writing code for decades!

[@3bodyproblems]

Taking the opportunity to talk more about hardware and productivity, anyone with a suggestion of a reviewed product that allows me to easily switch my inputs from my differents sources (laptop or mini PCs). Basically I have a Mac mini and my Surface Laptop, and I want to easily switch my mouse keyboard and monitors from my Laptop to my Mini PC ( probably a docker station may solve this ).

[@DamianPEdwards]

@@3bodyproblems you want a high-quality KVM for that, especially if you're running multiple monitors and 4K. Level1Techs makes the best but they're not cheap. I've used a TESmart before and it wasn't too bad.

[@guyincognito1985]

Excellent review Damian, I really appreciate it. (Unlike Hanselman who filmed his "review" on a 🥔which was really just a glorified unboxing video in which he couldn't even be bothered to get the name of the company right "Bank" after sending him around $2 to 3K in free monitors 😁).

[@nunofilipecosta]

Do you use some sort of docking station ? I use 2 dell u2415 that have 16:10 … so I kind of like that extra vertical space

[@DamianPEdwards]

No this is all running off a desktop. The three main displays are running from an RTX 3060 and the two small portable displays are running from the integrated graphics on the CPU (Intel i9 13900K).

[@CemFromUGNL]

It has a bad energy label I have 1benq rd280u and it heats up the entire room and makes it hard to breathe is this a faulty unit or is it a problem with the lineup?

[@DamianPEdwards]

@@CemFromUGNL hmm I haven't noticed any issue running three of them all day in a small home office with the door closed.

[@AndreaDottor]

What monitor are the two small ones at the bottom?

[@DamianPEdwards]

One is a NEOFYTE (amzn.to/3NwrwTT), the other an ARZOPA (amzn.to/3BP4yF7). They're basically the same and the NEOFYTE isn't available anymore. I chose them as they're 14" 1080P which makes them almost identical PPI to a 27" 4K screen, so when I move my mouse or apps between them and the main monitors they're the same size and pixel-density. They're sitting on Amazon Basics tablet stands (amzn.to/3BP4BAN). I cleaned up the cables with right-angle adapters for micro-HDMI (amzn.to/3UivLX1) and USB-C (amzn.to/4f9AAd4). (Amazon links are affiliate links)

[@DevBartek]

Wow, what a valuable material. Could you make video that describe your full setup? I'm before my setup upgrade and I'm looking for inspiration. What mic do you use? I have Radium 600 on arm, so I'm looking for sth that you have - smaller and take less space. 3 vs 2 screens. I'm doubt because 2 is minimum for me to work, and currently I have 3rd Asus Zenscreen 15,6 portable for calendar and timer (ADHD coping). With more, I feel that my focus will be distracted. Could you share your thoughts about multi monitor setup? How do you deal with notifications during focus mode (chat, new mails, etc.)?

[@sergiosarabando9211]

Great review, thank you. Heard you mention a "gaming PC", so... did you use them for gaming too? I spend most of my day looking at code, but I do enjoy a bit of gaming too, so I've been wondering how they fare (a 60Hz cap is OK for me).

[@DamianPEdwards]

No I have a separate monitor on my gaming/personal PC. It's a 43" 4K 144Hz HDR monitor.

[@MrBl0m]

??? why dont you show the displays....

[@Renull55]

what are the smaller screens?

[@DamianPEdwards]

One is a NEOFYTE (amzn.to/3NwrwTT), the other an ARZOPA (amzn.to/3BP4yF7). They're basically the same and the NEOFYTE isn't available anymore. I chose them as they're 14" 1080P which makes them almost identical PPI to a 27" 4K screen, so when I move my mouse or apps between them and the main monitors they're the same size and pixel-density. They're sitting on Amazon Basics tablet stands (amzn.to/3BP4BAN). I cleaned up the cables with right-angle adapters for micro-HDMI (amzn.to/3UivLX1) and USB-C (amzn.to/4f9AAd4). (Amazon links are affiliate links)

[@bassyey]

Nah. Not for 60Hz. If they upped this to even 100Hz, I'm a customer.

[@DamianPEdwards]

Yep I understand that view point. I'd be amazed if they don't refresh this with a higher refresh rate panel in the next cycle.

[@EEEEMMMMKKKK]

Same here so many good monitors now but 60Hz when basically everything is adopting higher refresh rate is an issue. I don’t need much 120Hz would be enough. I am thinking about that Dell U4025QW. Its 120Hz IPS Black so less IPS glow.

[@ffxsam]

Beyond 60 Hz is simply not important for an office/coding monitor.

[@magfal]

​@@ffxsam until you've become used to it.