New monitor for dual monitor setup

I’ve currenty got a Dell U3011, but I’m looking at getting another monitor to go with it. The reason I want to get another one is because the u3011’s resolution is set to 2560×1600, and the desk it sits on its 6 feet away from me, And that means that the writing is too small.
I’m looking a monitor that’s 23-24 inches, and 1920×1080. I’m not looking at spending any more than around �230.
The main use of the new monitor, will be to use it in applications like Photoshop, where I’ll use it to display the tools, while the u3011, will display the workspace.
I’ve been looking at the benq xl2411t, the Dell ultrasharps, and the asus vg23ah.
Any recommendations ?
Also, is it going to be silly, buying a tn panel to use with the ips u3011, if I only want to use it to display tools etc ?
Answer #1
I've currenty got a Dell U3011, but I'm looking at getting another monitor to go with it. The reason I want to get another one is because the u3011's resolution is set to 2560x1600, and the desk it sits on its 6 feet away from me, And that means that the writing is too small.

If that’s the only reason you wanna buy a new monitor it’d be a waste of money!
Just increase your DPI size and it’d look much better.
Answer #2
I recommend the Dell Ultrasharp, but it might not fit in your budget.
I also recommend a 24″ over a 23″, but as you see, there is price jump:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=04&sku=320-2807
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?cs=19&c=us&l=en&sku=320-8277
To stay in budget, go with the ASUS, that’s What I got.
Answer #3

If that's the only reason you wanna buy a new monitor it'd be a waste of money!
Just increase your DPI size and it'd look much better.
My dpi is currently set to 150%, which looks ok on the desktop, but it’s still too small in applications.
Answer #4
You could try increasing it further. Also, Some apps have a font size settings, So see if you can increase it on the app itself!
You could also try sitting closer to the monitor, Or bringing the monitor closer.
Answer #5
You could try increasing it further. Also, Some apps have a font size settings, So see if you can increase it on the app itself!
You could also try sitting closer to the monitor, Or bringing the monitor closer.
Lol, I can’t sit any nearer, it’s 30 inches!
On Windows 7 (AFAIK) you can’t increase the dpi any more than 150%.
It’s not the font size setting that are the problem, it’s the tools and options.
Answer #6

I also recommend a 24" over a 23"...
To stay in budget, go with the ASUS, that's What I got.
Saying that, is there a reason you suggested the Asus (23″) over the BenQ (24″) ?
Answer #7
LOL, I’m on XP and I can increase it up to 500%, So I find it hard to believe that Win7 will be that inferior in that regards. Select custom settings and it’d let you increase it as much as you like!
Answer #8
LOL, I'm on XP and I can increase it up to 500%, So I find it hard to believe that Win7 will be that inferior in that regards. Select custom settings and it'd let you increase it as much as you like!
Oh, sorry, you’re right!
I just found the custom scaling options. The problem is that the scaling doesn’t work in Photoshop; the tools are still the same size. The only thing that I can do is change the resolution, but that’s not an option I’m going to use.
Answer #9
Tools = Brushes and such? Or do you mean the menus?
Checked photoshops options?
Answer #10
Tools = Brushes and such? Or do you mean the menus?
Checked photoshops options?
Yep, like the lasso tool, pen etc.
I’ve tried looking into the photoshop options; the only option in terms of scaling, is making the font size bigger.
Answer #11
Well, The tool buttons aren’t suppose to be that big. I’m not sure if getting another monitor will make any difference to be honest. They should be visible enough, Unless your sitting too far away from the monitor.
Answer #12
Well, The tool buttons aren't suppose to be that big. I'm not sure if getting another monitor will make any difference to be honest. They should be visible enough, Unless your sitting too far away from the monitor.
I’m about 6ft away from the monitor.
I was thinking that with a smaller monitor, at 1920×1080, that the tools would be “appear” bigger (in proportion to resolution) on the smaller monitor.
Answer #13
I’m not so sure about that. But if your willing to spend �200+ to find out, It’s your choice.
You could always try a different app (unless you can only do what you do on photoshop)
Answer #14
The problem is that it’s not just photoshop, it’s after effects, illustrator, Maya etc. I don’t know why there aren’t scalable UIs for higher resolutions.
Answer #15
The control panel of your video card driver should provide you with a number of different
scaling options, Try that.
Answer #16
No joy. The UI for these apps, aren’t coded for high resolutions, by the looks of it.