I've fallen in love with ultrawide monitors, and I'm not going back

Ultrawide Monitor Source: Adobe Stock

E'er since they beginning appeared on the marketplace, I thought that ultrawide monitors were a bit gimmicky. Sure, the thought of having more screen space and a wider field of view (FOV) in games is cool, simply is it worth the higher price and lower refresh charge per unit compared to what traditional sixteen:9 monitors have? And is there really any true benefit to the format?

Upwards until now, I didn't recollect then, and I wasn't interested in buying an ultrawide display to give it a shot every bit a result. Recently, though, I was given a 34-inch Westinghouse UWQHD gaming monitor with a 100Hz refresh charge per unit equally a gift. And subsequently trying information technology out for a few weeks, my stance on ultrawide has changed completely. Here's why.

Ultrawide provides a tangible reward in games

Above all else, I've noticed that thanks to the wider FOV that ultrawide provides, I've been a lot more than situationally aware in the games that I play. In the Destiny 2 Vault of Glass raid prune above, for instance, I'one thousand able to proceed an middle on the expanse around my team and figure out where enemies are shooting us from because of the extended viewing angle. I used this information to safely spring to the right when the boss' DPS phase ends. If I hadn't known where the enemies were, I might take jumped to the left instead, which could take resulted in my death. The wider FOV is besides incredibly helpful in PvP games, too — I've been able to spot enemy players before they see me in Halo and come across incoming attacks from the left and right better in For Honor thanks to ultrawide.

Absolutely, situations like these where ultrawide has helped me significantly in-game are rare. That being said, they all the same happen, and when you're taking on difficult PvE content similar Destiny raids or playing competitive multiplayer games, it helps to have every reward you can become. An ultrawide monitor won't instantly make you a better thespian, but it will help yous make better in-game decisions past giving you more information to work with.

Ultrawide draws me into game worlds

Source: Windows Central Modded Skyrim with ultrawide is an accented treat.

Another matter I beloved most my new ultrawide monitor is that the wider view helps describe me into the worldspaces of my games. I detest to depict the experience as "immersive" since it's the most overused term in gaming and has become a buzzword, but that's honestly the all-time way I can put it into words. Being able to come across more than of the world I'm playing in at in one case helps me connect with it and capeesh its intricate details. Sometimes these details are but aesthetically pleasing, but they tin also often contribute to worldbuilding, likewise.

I think of information technology this way: Video games are works of fine art, and my monitor is the lens that I view that art through. A wider display means that I'g able to appreciate more of that art at once and observe how each individual office of the game's globe fits into its environments.

Ultrawide helps me stay productive

Ultrawide Productivity Source: Windows Cardinal

Finally, I beloved how productive I've been since I got my ultrawide brandish. Back when I had a 16:9 monitor, I didn't like to employ split tabs while working since my screen infinite usually ended up feeling cramped. Fullscreen was more comfy, simply it too express how much I could get washed and go along rail of at once since I had to constantly click between several different tabs all the time. Ultrawide solved this trouble by giving me a few actress inches of space on either side of my screen, which in turn made using split tabs much smoother. Now I can write on one half of my brandish and view analytics or look up information on the other without the feel being uncomfortable and awkward.

It's true that this can also be achieved with dual monitor setups, merely not everybody has the space for that (I definitely don't at the moment), and dual monitors can oftentimes be even pricier than an ultrawide solution. I'k planning to stick with ultrawide indefinitely because of these factors, and overall, I believe that ultrawide is the best option for people looking to maximize their productivity without compromising too much of their space or budget.

Final thoughts

While I used to feel dismissive towards ultrawide monitors because of their higher average cost and lower refresh rates, I've completely fallen in honey with the form factor after going hands-on — and I won't exist going back to 16:9. What do you think of ultrawide? Permit me know in the comments.

The monitor I got as a souvenir is the Westinghouse WC34DX9019, which yous can get right at present for $343. If its not correct for you, don't miss our roundups of the best ultrawide monitors, all-time PC gaming monitors, and best reckoner monitors for more awesome options.

21:9 perfection

Westinghouse WC34DX9019

Horizontal bliss

The Westinghouse WC34DX9019 is a stellar 34-inch ultrawide monitor that features first-class colors, 2K resolution, a nice 100Hz refresh charge per unit, and a cool RGB light. Information technology's easily the best monitor I've always owned, and I tin can't wait to game on it for years to come.

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