Computer monitors come in all different shapes and sizes to suit a wide variety of needs. In recent years, ultrawide monitor panels have gained significant popularity, but they can be more expensive than popular traditional monitors. Are ultrawide monitors worth it? That’s where we come in.
Are Ultrawide Monitors Worth it?
Except for some models, like the ViewSonic VX2478 SMHD frameless widescreen DisplayPort, ultrawide monitors can be more expensive than traditional displays, due to the nature of the panel design. Despite the cost, ultrawide screens have become extremely popular in recent years. Ultrawides are capable of a stunning 21:9 aspect ratio, dwarfing the 16:9 aspect ratio found with traditional displays. Are they worth it? That depends on what you are using it for.
Ultrawide Monitor Uses
Here are some use cases in which having an ultrawide monitor would absolutely be worth it, as having one would allow for increased enjoyment and productivity.
Having two or three monitors would be even better! Although, you may get an error with a third monitor, so it’s important to know how to fix a third monitor that’s not detected on your setup.
Gaming
Hardcore PC gamers tend to prefer ultrawide monitors, or a dual-monitor setup, as they bring increased immersion during intense gaming sessions. The “wow” factor cannot be understated when it comes to ultrawide monitors and gaming. The 21:9 aspect ratio combined with high resolutions creates a visually engaging experience that cannot be beaten. As a warning, not all games offer visual support for ultrawide monitors and the use of said monitors can be taxing on the GPU. Cut scenes can also occasionally drop to 16:9, which could be off putting to some gamers.
Warning: As a warning, not all games offer visual support for ultrawide monitors and the use of said monitors can be taxing on the GPU
Video Editing and Digital Arts
When it comes to video editing and the digital arts, having more screen real estate is never a bad thing. Ultrawide monitors allow video editors to view more of the timeline at once, eliminating the need for excessive scrubbing of footage. Illustrators and photographers can also make use of the increased screen size, though some of those in the creative arts may prefer a dual-monitor setup, as this allows for easy multitasking.
Tip: Ultrawide monitors allow video editors to view more of the timeline at once, eliminating the need for excessive scrubbing of footage
Document Writing and Research
Ultrawide monitors allow writers and researchers to present multiple windows at the same time. This allows for extreme focus and efficiency, as researchers won’t have to constantly swap between tabs or software applications. This effort can be aided with the assistance of keyboard shortcuts and useful windows resizing tools. Dual monitors also offer similar benefits when it comes to writing and research, so be sure to consider all the advantages of an ultrawide vs dual monitor setup.
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Programming
Modern coders and programmers also tend to choose ultrawide monitors to improve their workflow, thanks to the added display real estate available. As with writing and research, programmers can use an ultrawide display to have multiple windows or programs open at the same time. For instance, a programming suite can be open right next to a Google search. As a word of warning, ultrawide monitors cannot operate in portrait orientation, so programmers who are used to working with an upright display may need a traditional monitor or a dual monitor setup.
Watching Movies and Other Media
Ultrawide monitors offer an enjoyable way to experience films and television shows, as the 21:9 aspect ratio is perfectly suited for such an endeavor. If you have an HDR-equipped ultrawide monitor, this will make the movie-viewing experience even more enjoyable. The majority of YouTube’s library, however, is shot in 16:9 so viewing this content on an ultrawide monitor will result in black bars.
What Ultrawide Monitors are not Good for
Some scenarios are not a great match for ultrawide monitors, so you may opt for a traditional display or a dual monitor setup.
Live Streaming Content
We would recommend a dual monitor setup for all of the live streamers out there. Having two monitors allows streamers to put their live feed on one display while using the other for interacting with fans and performing general upkeep.
Tip: We would recommend a dual monitor setup for all of the live streamers out there
4K Content
Ultrawide monitors can run into some scaling issues when it comes to accessing 4K content, though many major software applications have fixed these problems in recent years. The added horsepower necessary to run games on an ultrawide monitor, GPU-wise, makes playing these games in 4K resolution a tricky prospect.
STAT:
With approximately a third more horizontal space than a standard 16:9 screen (or 50 percent, if you go for one of the more extreme panels), ultrawides have more space for activities.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrawide_formats
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21:9_aspect_ratio
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_aspect_ratio
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0018720819889533
*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxrD4bE9b6c
