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Ultrawide Monitors?
- Thread starter viper699
- Start date
If you prefer avoiding bezels, ultrawide can help with that.
Another benefit are for people who need just a bit more space than a single monitor, but dont have the room for two monitors. Someone who just wants to compare documents and still have a little working room, for example.
Me personally, I run 3 "standard" monitors, I never really enjoyed the UW setups, especially in applications that do not support them. Additionally, when Im not using all 3 monitors for applications my desktop wallpapers scroll through my photos, so I essentially use the extra 1 or 2 monitors as digital picture frames when working on single tasks. Having to crop or stretch my photos into an UW view would be difficult/not possible for most of them, or just upsetting with black bars.
Another benefit are for people who need just a bit more space than a single monitor, but dont have the room for two monitors. Someone who just wants to compare documents and still have a little working room, for example.
Me personally, I run 3 "standard" monitors, I never really enjoyed the UW setups, especially in applications that do not support them. Additionally, when Im not using all 3 monitors for applications my desktop wallpapers scroll through my photos, so I essentially use the extra 1 or 2 monitors as digital picture frames when working on single tasks. Having to crop or stretch my photos into an UW view would be difficult/not possible for most of them, or just upsetting with black bars.
Yep the bezel, this was my reason for considering from a dual monitor setup, and 1 less cord etc. I have dual monitors, and a 3rd in portrait. Works well. Then I read someone using a UW.If you prefer avoiding bezels, ultrawide can help with that.
Another benefit are for people who need just a bit more space than a single monitor, but dont have the room for two monitors. Someone who just wants to compare documents and still have a little working room, for example.
Me personally, I run 3 "standard" monitors, I never really enjoyed the UW setups, especially in applications that do not support them. Additionally, when Im not using all 3 monitors for applications my desktop wallpapers scroll through my photos, so I essentially use the extra 1 or 2 monitors as digital picture frames when working on single tasks. Having to crop or stretch my photos into an UW view would be difficult/not possible for most of them, or just upsetting with black bars.
Just seemed if I am going to have about the same space more /less maybe 1 UW is the way to go.
I didn't know some SW didn't support UWs, I'll have to look into that for my SW, and games too.
PhotoTeach2
Forum Pro
Never used more than a single monitor ...
But curious what it would be like to have 3 16:9, all in "portrait" ... The total would be again close to 16:9 ratio, but much BIGGER ... and still w/ option of 3 separate images/pages.
But curious what it would be like to have 3 16:9, all in "portrait" ... The total would be again close to 16:9 ratio, but much BIGGER ... and still w/ option of 3 separate images/pages.
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I hadn't checked that yet.... I'm surprised to see this, thanks.Ultra wide monitor = lousy resolution. Pixels per inch typically quite low.
I have a 2K monitor and I like it. The average 34" UW has a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440.
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tamaraw35
Leading Member
Yes, there are disadvantages. Often, gaming and photography have different requirements and a monitor used for both is going to compromise on both applications kind of like a swiss army knife vs a dedicated tool.Is there any disadvantage going with a single Ultrawide monitor for digi photography, and gaming? Perhaps there is something I am not considering, vs a dual monitor setup.
I use two monitors myself.
One is a 24" 1080p monitor for gaming and general use. It supports high refresh rates and has special tech for minimizing motion blur and reducing input lag. I wouldn't want any higher resolution for games because then it would be harder on my GPU. It's also useful to preview what an image might look like to someone else using a uncalibrated display and I can do stuff like change brightness freely without worrying about calibration.
My other monitor is a 27" 1440p monitor I mostly use for photography, artwork, and movies. It is calibrated, set to a fixed brightness, and covers the entire adobeRGB colorspace.
Besides the different features, there are practical advantages to having physically separate displays:
For example, I bought these probably 5 years apart, so the price was a bit easier than buying a single giant monitor up front. In games or other full-screen applications, I can also have something else up on the other monitor. Or I can plug my laptop into one display and still use my desktop on the other one.
Most ultrawide monitors end up being either curved or flat. I don't like curved displays, but ymmv. Very large (or wide) flat displays on the other hand can mess with viewing angles and cause stuff near the edges to look different depending upon the display tech. with two displays, you can position and angle them however you like.
Now an ultra-wide does have that extra seamless "wow" factor and the stand + cables will take up less space but that's about the extent of it, I think. I don't really understand the appeal outside of office work or very wide fov gaming.
I am not sure what you pointed out applies to me, I could be wrong.Yes, there are disadvantages. Often, gaming and photography have different requirements and a monitor used for both is going to compromise on both applications kind of like a swiss army knife vs a dedicated tool.Is there any disadvantage going with a single Ultrawide monitor for digi photography, and gaming? Perhaps there is something I am not considering, vs a dual monitor setup.
I use two monitors myself.
One is a 24" 1080p monitor for gaming and general use. It supports high refresh rates and has special tech for minimizing motion blur and reducing input lag. I wouldn't want any higher resolution for games because then it would be harder on my GPU. It's also useful to preview what an image might look like to someone else using a uncalibrated display and I can do stuff like change brightness freely without worrying about calibration.
My other monitor is a 27" 1440p monitor I mostly use for photography, artwork, and movies. It is calibrated, set to a fixed brightness, and covers the entire adobeRGB colorspace.
Besides the different features, there are practical advantages to having physically separate displays:
For example, I bought these probably 5 years apart, so the price was a bit easier than buying a single giant monitor up front. In games or other full-screen applications, I can also have something else up on the other monitor. Or I can plug my laptop into one display and still use my desktop on the other one.
Most ultrawide monitors end up being either curved or flat. I don't like curved displays, but ymmv. Very large (or wide) flat displays on the other hand can mess with viewing angles and cause stuff near the edges to look different depending upon the display tech. with two displays, you can position and angle them however you like.
Now an ultra-wide does have that extra seamless "wow" factor and the stand + cables will take up less space but that's about the extent of it, I think. I don't really understand the appeal outside of office work or very wide fov gaming.
I have a Dell Ultrasharp for my general needs it's pretty good. I never have the need to adjust it. I also never have the need to show my images to someone.
I never have the need to do more than one thing at a time as you mentioned. When I'm gaming, that's all I do. When I'm surfing the net etc, that's all I 'm doing.
Yep, I've seen the curved UWs. I'm not sure if I would like that or not. I've asked people who use the curved UWs, and never heard a definitive "must have curved" from most of the owners.
However, you mention UW may distort viewing angles. How so? I've never used one. I've only used dual or 3 monitor setups. This would be something to be concerned about for digi photography I'd think!
tamaraw35
Leading Member
It may or may not. You asked if there were any disadvantages vs a multi-monitor setup and I just wrote what came to mind.I am not sure what you pointed out applies to me, I could be wrong.Yes, there are disadvantages. Often, gaming and photography have different requirements and a monitor used for both is going to compromise on both applications kind of like a swiss army knife vs a dedicated tool.Is there any disadvantage going with a single Ultrawide monitor for digi photography, and gaming? Perhaps there is something I am not considering, vs a dual monitor setup.
I use two monitors myself.
One is a 24" 1080p monitor for gaming and general use. It supports high refresh rates and has special tech for minimizing motion blur and reducing input lag. I wouldn't want any higher resolution for games because then it would be harder on my GPU. It's also useful to preview what an image might look like to someone else using a uncalibrated display and I can do stuff like change brightness freely without worrying about calibration.
My other monitor is a 27" 1440p monitor I mostly use for photography, artwork, and movies. It is calibrated, set to a fixed brightness, and covers the entire adobeRGB colorspace.
Besides the different features, there are practical advantages to having physically separate displays:
For example, I bought these probably 5 years apart, so the price was a bit easier than buying a single giant monitor up front. In games or other full-screen applications, I can also have something else up on the other monitor. Or I can plug my laptop into one display and still use my desktop on the other one.
Most ultrawide monitors end up being either curved or flat. I don't like curved displays, but ymmv. Very large (or wide) flat displays on the other hand can mess with viewing angles and cause stuff near the edges to look different depending upon the display tech. with two displays, you can position and angle them however you like.
Now an ultra-wide does have that extra seamless "wow" factor and the stand + cables will take up less space but that's about the extent of it, I think. I don't really understand the appeal outside of office work or very wide fov gaming.
If you aren't sharing pictures online or printing then you don't really need a calibrated display. In that case, a gaming type monitor may work fine. I used mine as my only monitor for a while.I have a Dell Ultrasharp for my general needs it's pretty good. I never have the need to adjust it. I also never have the need to show my images to someone.
Not crazy multi-tasking, just simple stuff like a chat channel/voice comms or a music player up on the other screen. I didn't really think "Oh yeah, I need that" back when I had a single monitor but I have come to appreciate the option. Overlays on a single monitor are an alternative but they aren't quite the same. If you are playing a game with a friend, you can also stream their point of view on your other monitor which is pretty cool for team work.I never have the need to do more than one thing at a time as you mentioned. When I'm gaming, that's all I do. When I'm surfing the net etc, that's all I 'm doing.
The way I have my desk set up, I have one monitor directly in front of me on the other side of my keyboard. The second one is sitting to my right behind my mousepad and angled slightly towards me so that if I turn my head, I am also looking at it straight on.Yep, I've seen the curved UWs. I'm not sure if I would like that or not. I've asked people who use the curved UWs, and never heard a definitive "must have curved" from most of the owners.
However, you mention UW may distort viewing angles. How so? I've never used one. I've only used dual or 3 monitor setups. This would be something to be concerned about for digi photography I'd think!
If I had a single flat ultrawide at the same distance, then the bit in front of me would be flat to me but I would be viewing anything to either side at an oblique angle because it's just such a wide flat surface. The only solution would be to sit further back from the desk.
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Yep on viewing a wide monitor. I was looking, and some are 49" long. Not sure I can take it all in at once hah. The lack of a bezel would be nice though. I can't imagine dual monitor gaming with a bezel for me at least.It may or may not. You asked if there were any disadvantages vs a multi-monitor setup and I just wrote what came to mind.I am not sure what you pointed out applies to me, I could be wrong.Yes, there are disadvantages. Often, gaming and photography have different requirements and a monitor used for both is going to compromise on both applications kind of like a swiss army knife vs a dedicated tool.Is there any disadvantage going with a single Ultrawide monitor for digi photography, and gaming? Perhaps there is something I am not considering, vs a dual monitor setup.
I use two monitors myself.
One is a 24" 1080p monitor for gaming and general use. It supports high refresh rates and has special tech for minimizing motion blur and reducing input lag. I wouldn't want any higher resolution for games because then it would be harder on my GPU. It's also useful to preview what an image might look like to someone else using a uncalibrated display and I can do stuff like change brightness freely without worrying about calibration.
My other monitor is a 27" 1440p monitor I mostly use for photography, artwork, and movies. It is calibrated, set to a fixed brightness, and covers the entire adobeRGB colorspace.
Besides the different features, there are practical advantages to having physically separate displays:
For example, I bought these probably 5 years apart, so the price was a bit easier than buying a single giant monitor up front. In games or other full-screen applications, I can also have something else up on the other monitor. Or I can plug my laptop into one display and still use my desktop on the other one.
Most ultrawide monitors end up being either curved or flat. I don't like curved displays, but ymmv. Very large (or wide) flat displays on the other hand can mess with viewing angles and cause stuff near the edges to look different depending upon the display tech. with two displays, you can position and angle them however you like.
Now an ultra-wide does have that extra seamless "wow" factor and the stand + cables will take up less space but that's about the extent of it, I think. I don't really understand the appeal outside of office work or very wide fov gaming.
If you aren't sharing pictures online or printing then you don't really need a calibrated display. In that case, a gaming type monitor may work fine. I used mine as my only monitor for a while.I have a Dell Ultrasharp for my general needs it's pretty good. I never have the need to adjust it. I also never have the need to show my images to someone.
Not crazy multi-tasking, just simple stuff like a chat channel/voice comms or a music player up on the other screen. I didn't really think "Oh yeah, I need that" back when I had a single monitor but I have come to appreciate the option. Overlays on a single monitor are an alternative but they aren't quite the same. If you are playing a game with a friend, you can also stream their point of view on your other monitor which is pretty cool for team work.I never have the need to do more than one thing at a time as you mentioned. When I'm gaming, that's all I do. When I'm surfing the net etc, that's all I 'm doing.
The way I have my desk set up, I have one monitor directly in front of me on the other side of my keyboard. The second one is sitting to my right behind my mousepad and angled slightly towards me so that if I turn my head, I am also looking at it straight on.Yep, I've seen the curved UWs. I'm not sure if I would like that or not. I've asked people who use the curved UWs, and never heard a definitive "must have curved" from most of the owners.
However, you mention UW may distort viewing angles. How so? I've never used one. I've only used dual or 3 monitor setups. This would be something to be concerned about for digi photography I'd think!
If I had a single flat ultrawide at the same distance, then the bit in front of me would be flat to me but I would be viewing anything to either side at an oblique angle because it's just such a wide flat surface. The only solution would be to sit further back from the desk.
As for digi photo, I'd think a UW would be better. You could resize the SW to whatever you want, if you needed to look up a DIY YouTube put that on the right, maybe, and images to scroll through from a folder somewhere as well.
Just interests me. Hard to know.
But high pixel density is going to be a problem with photos if you want to see detail. The wider the monitor, the pixels (or dots depending on who's making this call) per inch of screen will be less for the same 4k, 8k, or whatever screen resolution you get. So to not see the dots you have to move further away for each size larger screen. A 4k monitor has the same amount of pixels or dots no matter how wide the screen. An interesting calculator is here
Is This Retina? - DPI/PPI Display Calculator (designcompaniesranked.com)
Is This Retina? - DPI/PPI Display Calculator (designcompaniesranked.com)
J
JasonTheBirder
Guest
I used both setups. Here is what I think two monitors offers over one large one:
- Psychological separation of tasks...somehow it just seems easier to me to have two physical groups rather than just a logical separation on a single monitor.
- Easier full-screening. One app can just be put in full-screen mode easily on its own monitor
tamaraw35
Leading Member
What sort of games do you play? If you want an ultra-wide view in games, there is really no replacement for a single monitor except maybe vehicle simulators.Yep on viewing a wide monitor. I was looking, and some are 49" long. Not sure I can take it all in at once hah. The lack of a bezel would be nice though. I can't imagine dual monitor gaming with a bezel for me at least.
That's exactly how a multi-monitor setup would work too, lol.As for digi photo, I'd think a UW would be better. You could resize the SW to whatever you want, if you needed to look up a DIY YouTube put that on the right, maybe, and images to scroll through from a folder somewhere as well.
True. Based on what I am picking up in your comments though (wanting a wide fov in games, not needing calibration or exceptional accuracy), it sounds like an ultra wide may be the right choice for you. Maybe see if there is a store with a generous return policy near you, you could try it out for a few days and exchange it if it doesn't work out.Just interests me. Hard to know.
Yes I know how a multi-monitor setup works. I use 2 and 3 monitor setups for work, nothing graphics oriented though, just office and the net. However I've never ever liked having a bezel, I hate it. Hence my question into UWs.What sort of games do you play? If you want an ultra-wide view in games, there is really no replacement for a single monitor except maybe vehicle simulators.Yep on viewing a wide monitor. I was looking, and some are 49" long. Not sure I can take it all in at once hah. The lack of a bezel would be nice though. I can't imagine dual monitor gaming with a bezel for me at least.
That's exactly how a multi-monitor setup would work too, lol.As for digi photo, I'd think a UW would be better. You could resize the SW to whatever you want, if you needed to look up a DIY YouTube put that on the right, maybe, and images to scroll through from a folder somewhere as well.
True. Based on what I am picking up in your comments though (wanting a wide fov in games, not needing calibration or exceptional accuracy), it sounds like an ultra wide may be the right choice for you. Maybe see if there is a store with a generous return policy near you, you could try it out for a few days and exchange it if it doesn't work out.Just interests me. Hard to know.
I could do BB for returns - if they have what I want. I don't need exceptional accuracy, I don't print to make money. Just print to throw stuff up on the wall, mine.
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