Want to maximise your desktop’s actual property? You have two choices: an ultrawide monitor, or a dual-monitor setup. Either alternative will massively increase the display screen house at your command. But ultrawide and dual-monitor setups aren’t the identical. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Here’s learn how to resolve whether or not an ultrawide monitor or twin displays is best for you. For extra concrete shopping for data, you’ll want to checkout our roundup of the best PC monitors and best gaming monitors.
How huge is it?
Everyone trying to purchase an ultrawide monitor or twin displays desires extra usable show house. But how a lot do you acquire with every situation?
A 34-inch ultrawide monitor, the most typical measurement, is just not as giant you may assume. This measurement of ultrawide is sort of equivalent to a 27-inch widescreen monitor in top and about 8 inches wider.
Purchasing a second 27-inch monitor will, in fact, net you a second monitor just as large as the first. A second 27-inch monitor provides 23.5 inches to the width of your setup. That’s about 15.5 inches wider than a 34-inch ultrawide monitor.
Besides providing a wider expanse than a single ultrawide monitor, a twin show is extra versatile by way of display screen angles and orientation.
To attain the equal of two 27-inch displays in a single show, it’s essential to go all-out with a 49-inch super-ultrawide with a 32:9 facet ratio, reminiscent of Samsung’s SHG90. That’s nearly precisely as tall and huge as two 27-inch displays side-by-side, however significantly dearer.
Going twin has one other benefit, one no ultrawide can ever match: flexibility.
You can use one in all your two displays in a portrait orientation, including vertical as an alternative of horizontal house. This is ideal if you have to show paperwork on a second display screen or wish to have a number of social media and chat apps open whereas working in your major monitor. You may even mix-and-match displays of various sizes to completely suit your desk.
Multitasking
The flexibility of a dual-monitor setup has benefits for multitasking, as you’ll be able to change the form of your setup to suit your wants. This isn’t the one method twin displays beat ultrawide in productiveness, nevertheless.
Windows Snap, a function constructed into Windows that may rapidly resize and transfer home windows for higher multitasking, works greatest on twin displays (and the supercharged FancyZones PowerToy tool is even better). Using Snap on an ultrawide leaves you with huge, quick home windows which can be awkward to make use of. A dual-monitor setup additionally offers extra areas to put home windows.
The facet ratio of an ultrawide monitor is an issue even whenever you’re not utilizing Windows Snap. Most apps are programmed to be used with a 16:9 widescreen facet ratio and have a person interface designed for that facet ratio. Resizing an app to a 21:9 facet ratio typically leaves giant, empty areas or forces parts of the interface to at least one aspect.
Ultrawide house owners find yourself manually resizing home windows to an roughly 16:9 facet ratio. It’s like enjoying a recreation of Tetris with items that don’t match. You’ll wrestle to search out an association of home windows that doesn’t waste house.
Pixel density
Dual displays are on a successful streak, thanks to a different motive two is best than one: decision.
4K displays aren’t onerous to search out. You can choose up the Dell S2721QS, my go-to advice amongst inexpensive 4K displays, for less than $320—or you should purchase two for twice the value. That’s an efficient decision of 7680×2160, placing over 16 million pixels at your disposal.
Ultrawide doesn’t come shut. LG’s 34WK95U-WRemove non-product link, essentially the most pixel-dense ultrawide monitor, has a decision of 5120×2160. That’s spectacular however works out to barely greater than 11 million pixels, and prices about 30 % greater than a pair of Dell’s 4K screens.
LG’s 34WK95U-W provides a formidable 11 million pixels with its 5120×2160 decision, however that may nonetheless be bested by a pair of 4K displays.
Not everybody wants 16 million pixels, in fact, however it has utility. Dual 4K displays are nice for enhancing ultra-HD video. You can view a full-screen preview on a second monitor whereas enhancing within the first. Photographers and artistic artists may also discover comparable use for this setup.
Gamers, although, ought to keep away. Dual 4K may appear interesting at a look however, like a bug zapper, the attract can solely finish in ache.
PC gaming
Ultrawide displays have taken their thumps thus far, however players can disregard the lashing I’ve dished out. Ultrawide is the king of PC gaming.
A dual-monitor setup has an apparent concern: the bezel operating down the center of the show. Even the thinnest, most miniscule monitor bezels are blatantly apparent when utilizing two displays side-by-side. Playing a recreation on two displays without delay is technically attainable, however it’s a foul concept.
Ultrawide displays supply not simply extra usable house for gaming however a extra immersive facet ratio. A wider facet ratio implies that, in most video games, you’ll be able to see extra without delay. Scenery and objects that stay outdoors your area of view on a 16:9 widescreen change into seen on a 21:9 ultrawide.
A wider facet ratio is very helpful in sure video games. Landing a airplane in Microsoft Flight Simulator is less complicated on a 21:9 monitor due to the improved sense of perspective a large field-of-view provides. Gamers deep into Civilization IV or Humankind can see extra map for a whole view of their empire. MMO followers can use the house to customise the person interface or load add-ons (in video games the place that’s allowed, in fact).
Most players with twin displays play on one monitor and use the second for Discord, a recreation walkthrough, or compensate for some actuality TV whereas ready in que to play Final Fantasy XIV. This is best than having a single monitor, to make sure, however can’t beat the seamless really feel of an ultrawide.
Console gaming
This level could seem apparent to veteran players, however it’s value repeating for these new to utilizing a recreation console with a pc monitor.
Game consoles don’t assist ultrawide displays.
You’ll see a picture if you happen to join a recreation console to an ultrawide monitor, however it’s going to have a 16:9 widescreen facet ratio with letterboxing on both sides. Resolution can also be a problem. The most typical ultrawide decision is 3440×1440, which interprets to 2560×1440 when linked to a 16:9 supply. The PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch don’t assist this decision and as an alternative fall again to 1080p.
Don’t purchase an ultrawide monitor if you happen to plan to make use of a monitor with a recreation console.
Simplicity
Ultrawide can declare one other essential benefit over twin displays. It’s only one monitor.
One monitor means one show connection and one energy wire. There’s no want to fret about how displays are organized in Windows’ show settings. You don’t have to worry over variations in picture high quality between displays or calibrate displays to repair it. A 3rd-party monitor stand or arm gained’t be crucial.
With a single ultrawide monitor, you don’t have to fiddle with arranging your displays in Windows’ show settings.
Simplicity has worth. More displays imply extra space and pixels however may also imply extra complications. A twin monitor setup is hardly unusual and supported by fashionable working methods, however you should still encounter edge instances the place a specific laptop computer, desktop video card, or software doesn’t work because it ought to. Uncommon issues change into probably as your setup turns into extra complicated.
A single ultrawide monitor is a plug-and-play expertise that requires zero configuration. This is beneficial if you happen to don’t wish to spend time messing with settings or often swap computer systems.
Dual displays for the win
The verdict is obvious. In normal, twin displays take the win over ultrawide. Going twin snags you a extra versatile setup that’s higher for multitasking and, if you happen to purchase high-end 4K displays, packs extra pixels than any ultrawide in existence.
This doesn’t imply a dual-monitor setup is best for everybody. I, personally, want an ultrawide monitor. Simulation, technique, and MMO video games are my favourite genres, so an ultrawide’s immersion actually hits the spot. I additionally lack the floor house to make use of a pair of 27-inch displays, whereas a 34-inch ultrawide is the best match for my desk.
Your alternative ought to suit your wants, in fact. Ultrawide is my choice as a result of it really works greatest for my area of interest wants. Still, it’s clear twin displays win in most conditions. Readers on the fence ought to cease worrying and purchase that second monitor. Our roundup of the best monitors and our display buying guide might help you discover the proper match.