Use and Perceptions of Multi-Monitor Workstations: A Natural Experiment

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2103.13198
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Authors: Guy Amir; Ayala Prusak; Tal Reiss; Nir Zabari; Dror G. Feitelson
• Keywords: Workstation

Using multiple monitors is commonly thought to improve productivity, but this hard check experimentally. We use a survey, taken by 101 practitioners of which 80% have coded professionally for at least 2 years, assess subjective perspectives based on experience. To validity, we compare situations in developers naturally different setups -- the difference between working home or office, and how things changed when were forced work from due Covid-19 pandemic. The results indicate that using indeed perceived as beneficial desirable. 19% respondents reported adding monitor their setup response situation. At same time, single most influential factor cited affecting productivity was not physical interactions with co-workers both reduced lack connections available work, improved interruptions co-workers. A central implication our empirical research software development should be conducted settings similar those actually used practitioners, particular workstations configured monitors.