Ultrawide monitors – facts and figures pros and cons

Ultrawide monitors - Acer Nitro 34-inch model
Ultrawide monitors - Acer Nitro 34-inch model

The arrival of ultrawide monitors – Aspect ratios

PC monitors have become wider compared to their height since flat-screen technology began advancing from around 2005 when the aspect ratio was a squarish 4:3.

In 2010, the arrival of widescreen monitors, with a 16:9 aspect ratio, brought the dimensions of a high-definition television (HDTV) to the PC monitor..

Note that the screen size of a PC monitor is the measure diagonally across the screen from e top corner to a bottom corner on the opposite side of the screen. Most ultrawide monitors have screen sizes of 34, 43, or 49 inches. The larger the screen size, the more windows you can display. See the video below that instructs on how to use the free Microsoft PowerToys to split up the screen to show different windows in various combinations.

Aspect ratio is the ratio between a monitor’s width and height. The two most common ultrawide aspect ratios are 21:9 and 32:9,  Alternative  names for the 32.9 aspect ratio are  “super wide” or “super ultra-wide”. The 21:9 aspect ratio handles movies and TV video wonderfully well. There is enough space to have Photoshop open on one half of the screen and a spreadsheet open on the other side. The first arrival of 21:9 monitors was in 2012 and the first arrival of 32:9 displays was in 2017.

32.9 aspect-ratio screens usually have a 5,120 by 1,440 pixels or 3,840 by 1,080 pixels screen resolution. For example,  49-inch monitor with a 32:9 aspect ratio has a screen size equivalent to that of two 27-inch monitors placed side by side.

Ultrawide monitors – Specifications

Here are the main specifications of the Acer Nitro ultrawide 49-inch monitor:

Screen size – 49 Inches
Screen resolution – 3840×1080 pixels
Display technology – LED – VA Panel
Brand – Acer series – Nitro EI491CRPbmiiipx
Aspect Ratio-  21:9
Display connectivity – 2xHDMI (1.4) + 1xHDMI (2.0) + DisplayPort ( 1.2) + Audio Out (Built-in speakers)
Response Time – 4 milliseconds (MS)
Refresh rate: 144Hz
FreeSync 2

What you need to know about PC/computer monitors –

Monitors: Digital LCD/TFT/LED

TN vs. IPS vs. VA: What’s the Best Display Panel LED Technology? –

https://www.howtogeek.com/658701/tn-vs.-ips-vs.-va-whats-the-best-display-panel-technology/

Gaming monitors: Which monitor adaptive sync technology is best, AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync? –

Best monitor adaptive sync technology – AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync?

Ultrawide monitors – Prices

Ultrawide monitors are usually more expensive than the most popular 16:9 aspect-ratio monitors. On Amazon UK, they range in price from £235 for the LG Electronics Ultrawide 29WL50S-B 29-Inch IPS Monitor to the ASUS ROG STRIX Curved PG65UQ, 65 Inch UHD (3840 x 2160) Gaming Monitor, Up to 144Hz for £3,557.69 (January 2021).

Ultrawide monitors – Drawbacks

  1. – Ultrawide monitors require enough desk space to accommodate their extra width. Therefore, take measurements before you purchase one. It would also be a good idea to have someone to help you move it.
  2. – Serious game players might prefer playing on a  more compact 16:9 monitor in order to have the action taking place in a single field of view instead of having to move the eyes in all directions to see the field of play.
  3. – Older games might not display properly on the ultrawide screen resolutions, They may display in a smaller window with large black bars at both sides of the screen or with the game  stretched across the whole panel and distorted, which is less common than having black bars at both sides of the game.
  4.  – Taking a test drive of an expensive monitor in a showroom is the best option before buying one. The next best option is to read reviews on the best computer-peripheral reviewing websites. Reading the purchaser reviews on Amazon usually provides useful information and advice. Bear it in mind that people who are highly impressed or most disappointed tend to post reviews.

Using an ultrawide monitor with the free Microsoft PowerToys tool

Easily Split Superwide Screen For FREE!!!! – Microsoft Power Toys! –

About Eric 275 Articles
I am an experienced PC technician who has been the owner and sole writer of the PC Buyer Beware! website since 2004. I am learning all the time in this very dynamic, ever-changing field.