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Is your space constrained such that the 27 inch would not fit? Is your budget constrained such that the 27 inch is too expensive?

If neither your space nor your budget is constrained, then go for the 27 inch.

Thank you! The question is does 21.5 inch force more focus, less tabs thus more productivity?
I've spent multiple years working with an iMac 21 inch, a Macbook Pro 15 inch retina, and a 27" LG Ultrafine 5k (I understand this is the same or similar panel as the iMac 5k 27").

I think if you are optimising for productivity you would want the 27", certainly from my experience.

My own opinion, for what it is worth: if you lack focus I think you are better off trying to build good habits or to work on things that interest you.

You can just as easily switch to reading HN or reddit on a smaller screen as you can a larger. You can just as easily go fullscreen on a larger display to block out distractions, but you also have more space so you can, if working on UI for example, have the UI in one half and an editor/IDE in the other, which can speed you up.

If it is difficult to make yourself do work, you can try to build good habits using apps like Focus to remind you if you tend to go off on reading sprees when working. Good luck!

27", unless you have a reason to not.
i am currently running an iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017) and am very pleased with the screen size / resolution. my 2cents are i don't think more screen size ( for the same resolution ) would be any better, i feel it would make me move my neck a bit more over a work day, and with two cervical hernias, it would be uncomfortable.
Not just one but two 27 inch monitors? Why? Save your eyes. Make your text easy to read. Eyestrain goes unnoticed and is the cause of low-grade headaches. My colleagues laugh that they can read my screen from a ways away - exactly! Go big. You won't regret it.