Computer monitors are usually a “not so interesting” topic, although in recent months there has been an influx in the advancement of monitor technologies. In the past year, the consumer market has seen monitors that feature 4K, curved designs and, more recently, UltraWide. The introduction of UltraWide monitors has become a battle against dual monitor setups. UltraWide monitors fix the one problem of dual monitor setups – continuity. Instead of having to deal with the black bezels of two monitors side-by-side, UltraWide monitors remove that completely and present one large screen.
If you are in the market for one, there are plenty of pros to the UltraWide monitor. Here are a few:
1.) Screen Real Estate – You can seamlessly layer multiple programs next to each other on an UltraWide for a truly productive work flow.
2.) Immersive in Gaming – The sheer size of an UltraWide brings in a deep sense of immersion when playing games.
3.) Perfect for Movies – UltraWide monitors follow a 21:9 aspect ratio. This is perfect for movies as they typically also follow this aspect ratio, thus giving you a true cinematic experience.
However, UltraWide monitors are also relatively new and, as a result, there are also some cons to consider:
1.) Price – Since UltraWide monitors are new to the consumer market, the price for them is significantly higher than buying a multi-monitor setup. However, the price is arguably a considerable factor as an early adopter.
2.) Content Selection – While movies work well on a 21:9 monitor, the vast majority of content online is suited for a 16:9 aspect ratio.
3.) Refresh Rates – The majority of UltraWide monitors are capped at a refresh rate of 60Hz. Alternatively, most gaming monitors offer upwards of 144Hz. So if you are a competitive gamer, an UltraWide monitor will give you a disadvantage.
To conclude, UltraWide monitors are new to the consumer market and offer plenty of benefits. For content creation and productivity, UltraWide monitors flourish. Many UltraWide monitors offer IPS panels which deliver true-to-life colors. There is also a growing selection of UltraWide monitors. If you are in the market for an UltraWide monitor, some brands to consider are LG, Dell, and Acer. LG offers a wide selection of UltraWides, whereas Dell features one flagship UltraWide monitor. Acer offers a selection of gaming UltraWide monitors.
Some final remarks regarding UltraWide is that there are three sizes of UltraWides: 25 inch, 29 inch, and 34 inch monitors (these are measured on the diagonal). They also come in two resolutions: 2560 x 1080 and 3440 x 1440. The introduction of UltraWide monitors targets a niche audience, but the immersion offered on UltraWide is truly a remarkable experience.