Ultrawide Monitors: Gaming & Productivity - Everything You Need to Know

The Rise of Ultrawide Monitors: A Comprehensive Look

It’s common to observe colleagues or acquaintances utilizing multiple monitor configurations. While these setups excel at presenting a substantial amount of data simultaneously, they often present challenges in terms of setup complexity and the visually disruptive bezels separating each display.

In response to these issues, monitor manufacturers have started introducing ultrawide monitors. These displays deviate from the conventional 16:9 aspect ratio, adopting a more elongated 21:9 format.

Benefits Reported by Ultrawide Monitor Users

Individuals who have transitioned to ultrawide monitors frequently report increased productivity during work hours and an enhanced gaming experience. However, the question remains: does this widespread enthusiasm reflect genuine improvements?

Furthermore, a crucial consideration is whether investing in an ultrawide monitor is a worthwhile decision for your specific computing environment.

Understanding the Appeal of the 21:9 Aspect Ratio

The 21:9 aspect ratio offers a significantly wider viewing area compared to traditional monitors. This expanded space can be leveraged in several ways.

• Enhanced Multitasking: More applications and windows can be displayed concurrently, reducing the need for constant alt-tabbing.
• Immersive Gaming: Many modern games support ultrawide resolutions, providing a more expansive and immersive visual experience.
• Improved Productivity: Professionals working with large spreadsheets, timelines, or multiple documents can benefit from the increased screen real estate.

Essentially, an ultrawide monitor aims to replicate the functionality of a dual-monitor setup, but in a single, streamlined package.

Is an Ultrawide Monitor Right for You?

Determining whether an ultrawide monitor is a suitable investment depends on your individual needs and usage patterns. Consider the following factors.

If your workflow heavily relies on multitasking or you are an avid gamer seeking a more immersive experience, an ultrawide monitor could be a valuable addition to your setup. However, if you primarily use a single application at a time, the benefits may be less pronounced.

What Are Ultrawide Monitors?

Ultrawide monitors represent a recent innovation in display technology, gaining prominence in the market over the last couple of years. They are engineered to provide an alternative to multi-monitor setups, such as dual or triple screen configurations.

The primary distinction between an ultrawide monitor and a conventional model lies in its dimensions and form factor. Specifically, ultrawide monitors utilize a different aspect ratio. Standard flatscreen displays typically feature a 16:9 aspect ratio (equivalent to 1.77:1), while ultrawide monitors extend horizontally, adopting a ratio of 64:27 (or 2.37:1).

While shopping, you may encounter the "21:9" designation; this is a simplified marketing term adopted by manufacturers due to its consumer-friendly resemblance to the familiar "16:9" ratio.

Essentially, these monitors are characterized by their substantial width.

Ultrawide monitors commonly offer resolutions of 2560x1080 or 3440x1440 pixels, contingent upon the screen size. A greater pixel density allows for the simultaneous display of more applications, videos, or games on the desktop without the need for frequent switching.

Advocates of ultrawide monitors suggest that the 2.37:1 aspect ratio enhances multitasking capabilities by providing increased space for side-by-side windows. Furthermore, they offer a heightened sense of immersion during gaming and a more cinematic viewing experience, closely mirroring the quality found in theaters.

Considering an Ultrawide Monitor: What You Need to Know

While ultrawide monitors offer numerous benefits, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before investing in one. Careful consideration of your needs will ensure a satisfying experience.

Determining Your Primary Use Case

An ultrawide monitor can be a valuable asset for those working from home or in an office environment. The expanded screen space facilitates efficient multitasking, allowing you to manage multiple projects and communication applications simultaneously.

However, it’s worth noting that while ultrawides provide more screen real estate than a single monitor, they often don’t match the combined area of two standard monitors. For instance, a 2560x1080 ultrawide is smaller than two 1920x1080 monitors totaling 3840x1080.

For gamers, ultrawide displays deliver an immersive, expansive field of view without the distracting bezels found in dual-monitor setups. This can provide a competitive edge in games like League of Legends or Rocket League, enhancing situational awareness.

However, first-person shooter games may present challenges, as crucial HUD elements like radar or ammo counts can be positioned outside your peripheral vision. In such cases, a traditional 16:9 display might be preferable.

Furthermore, game compatibility with ultrawide resolutions (21:9) can vary. The Widescreen Gaming Forum provides a list of supported titles, and tools like Flawless Widescreen can address scaling issues.

Ultrawide monitors also excel at movie viewing, eliminating the black bars often present with standard aspect ratios. Many modern films are shot in 2.39:1, aligning closely with the 2.37:1 aspect ratio of ultrawide monitors for a truly immersive experience.

Assessing Your Graphics Card's Capabilities

Before purchasing an ultrawide monitor, verify that your computer possesses sufficient graphical power to support it.

A 3440x1440 resolution, common in 34" models, contains 140% more pixels than a traditional 1920x1080 setup. This increased pixel count demands greater processing power, particularly for gaming. Desktop work generally requires less graphical horsepower.

A benefit of ultrawide monitors is their reduced output requirements compared to multi-screen setups. While multiple monitors necessitate separate cables and ports, an ultrawide typically requires only one HDMI or DisplayPort 1.2 connection.

Curved or Flat: Which to Choose?

The choice between a curved and flat ultrawide monitor depends on your preferences.

Curved displays offer a more immersive, cinematic experience, though they may slightly reduce viewing angles. Flat displays are better suited for scenarios where multiple viewers need to comfortably see the screen.

Selecting the Right Screen Size

Ultrawide monitors are available in sizes ranging from 25" to 35". We recommend opting for at least a 32" model to fully realize the benefits of the increased resolution and multitasking capabilities.

Smaller screens may render text too small or applications difficult to navigate, diminishing the advantages of an ultrawide display.

Understanding the Cost

Ultrawide monitor prices have decreased recently, becoming comparable to traditional 16:9 widescreen monitors.

For example, a 27" 2560x1440 monitor might retail for around $469, while a comparable 29" 21:9 ultrawide with 2560x1080 resolution could cost approximately $419. While the pixel count differs, the price remains competitive.

Picture-in-Picture and Screen Splitting Features

If you're considering replacing a multi-monitor setup, look for a monitor with a "screen splitting" feature, often called "MultiTask" or picture-in-picture.

This feature allows you to divide the screen into quadrants, simulating the segmentation of a multi-monitor configuration and enabling simultaneous use of multiple inputs.

Desk Space and VESA Compatibility

Ensure you have adequate desk space to accommodate an ultrawide monitor, as the largest models can exceed three feet in width.

If you plan to mount the monitor on a wall, verify VESA compatibility. Curved ultrawides, in particular, may lack the necessary screw holes for mounting.

Multi-Monitor Versus Ultrawide

Considering all factors, the question arises: should one opt for an ultrawide monitor or a multi-screen configuration?

The optimal choice, predictably, is contingent upon individual needs. Multi-screen setups provide a degree of adaptability and personalization unattainable with ultrawides. For instance, one display can be oriented in portrait mode for work purposes, while others remain in landscape, and then easily switched back to a dual-landscape arrangement for gaming or film viewing.

Not all users desire expanded horizontal space; many may prioritize increased vertical workspace, depending on their professional requirements.