Is buying an ultrawide monitor worth it?

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? Thats where we come in.

Are Ultrawide Monitors Worth it?

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.

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 wont 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.

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• What is Best Monitor Resolution for Gaming?
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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 YouTubes 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

Are Ultrawide Monitors Worth It FAQ

Why are ultrawide monitors so popular?

Ultrawide monitors are popular because they offer a larger display for viewing content and an increased viewing angle. The 21:9 aspect ratio provides a better overall experience than what is found with traditional monitors.

Who makes ultrawide monitors?

Most popular monitor manufacturers make ultrawide displays. This includes Asus, LG, Dell, and Samsung, among others.

What are ultrawide monitors?

Ultrawide monitors are larger-than-average panels that provide a 21:9 aspect ratio. This makes them great for gaming and other applications.