Do you feel like things get cramped easily in your display and you could use more screen real estate? Ultrawide and Dual Setups are the two best ways to expand your display but making a pick out of both options would require a bit more research since you would be investing a lot going for any of the displays.
Ultrawide vs. Dual Monitor – Reddit Users’ to the Rescue!
For all the helpful info you would need in making that decision, Reddit is the best place to go. There you will find users with brutally honest reviews, detailing the pros and cons of each setup. However, it won’t be so easy checking through several subreddits and reading tons of comments to figure out the best pick.
Fortunately, we’ve done that hard work for you. We have selected comments from the most active Reddit threads that will help you make a decision alongside a review of both setups.
Ultrawide Monitor
Ultrawide monitors utilize a wider aspect ratio than the traditional monitor screen ratio of 16:9. These monitors feature a 21:9 aspect ratio which is similar to the ratio of traditional movie theater screens. These provide extended real estate on one screen without having to deal with the bezel gap of the dual monitor setup.
These monitors also allow for easy windows management and it’s more convenient as you won’t have to reset and calibrate two separate screens as with the dual monitor setup.
Ultrawide monitors would cost a lot and not only that, they are quite massive and will take up a ton of space. In addition, they are pretty heavy, harder to move around, and set up. While they do allow for easy multitasking, there are many kinds of content that won’t be compatible with their ultrawide screens.
Pros
- Makes your workspace looks tidier
- Easier to setup
- No bezel gap in the middle of the picture
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space
- Content selective
[su_button url=”http://www.amazon.com/s/?field-keywords=ultrawide monitor&tag=review09a3-20″ target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#ef2d30″ size=”10″ center=”yes”]See The Best Ultrawide Monitors on Amazon[/su_button]
Dual Monitor Setup
A dual monitor setup simply implies using two monitors to create a two-screen display. This simply extends the entire screen giving you more space to run more programs. Both screens would run on the standard 16:9 aspect ratio with resolutions up to 4K. The Dual Monitor setup is a more affordable way to increase your screen real estate. All you have to do is buy one more monitor and you’re good to go.
In addition, you can arrange the monitors in various allowing you to set up your workspace in any way you want. However, you would have to deal with the bezel gap between the screens.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Easy to customize
- Supports all computer-based programs
Cons
- Giant bezel gap between the screen
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Ultrawide vs. Dual Monitor – What Reddit Users Think
Reddit Comment #1
I use a dual monitor for work and just tried ultrawide for the first time a few weeks ago. With some good screen splitting software it’s a true upgrade, to the point that I have one on order right now. It’s actually better that you’re not a gamer, since you do need a good amount of graphics power to run games on it. – rrmultipass
Reddit Comment #2
I think two screens will work better with you budget. Unless you’re willing to buy one ultrawide and one normal screen (which is great but not cheap, especially with the FPS/resolution demands you have). – Archmonduu
Reddit Comment #3
I prefer the ultra wide but there’s so many games that don’t support it, I feel like dual monitors would’ve been nice in those cases. Just something to keep in mind – Arch_Wolf
Reddit Comment #4
Ultrawide for gaming, identical dual monitors for anything else. If you can’t get identical monitors it gets a little annoying having the picture look slightly different on each monitor. – tybuzz
Reddit Comment #5
Ultrawide gives you flexibility. Dual screen you’ll tend to go full screen on each monitor, so you effectively have 2 things open. Even if you have enough resolution to put 3 things side-by-side, the bezel prevents you from doing that. You’re forced to take half your total resolution, and then further divide that in half to fit 3+ things.
Ultrawide, without that bezel I can divide it up however I want. For web development, I have the IDE in the middle, docs to the right, active app upper left, and browser console bottom left. And it’s all usable.
As an added bonus you don’t have any weird color calibration issues between separate monitors – kroden76
Reddit Comment #6
Switched from dual to ultrawide about a year ago. Would never go back. Two screens means you have to try to position them that everything is at the right distance from your eyes but you never really get it perfect, and the bevel is always right in front of you. – mrjking
Reddit Comment #7
I’m a big fan of ultrawide after having use dual monitors for a very long time. When I had two monitors, one always ended up being the secondary screen for infrequently used things like my music and notes while I used the main one for everything else. I ended up doing this because it was pretty much a full mental context switch to go over the bezel which was just too much of a distraction to do it 10k times per day. With an ultrawide I can have everything much closer together and so I don’t feel like there’s a stop between my different programs. – SirensToGo
Reddit Comment #8
After transitioning through the phase of “must have dual monitors”, and personally owning a rather expensive ultrawide. I find i don’t need any of those options, and willingly don’t bother with them. I think it was the transition to vim that got me away from the desire for more screen realestate. – karlhungus
Reddit Comment #9
I prefer dual computers.
My gaming desktop has 2 screens, but realistically I don’t use the second one. Then I have an iMac that I use for everything else.
That way I can keep my mail desktop fairly insecure, but running very fast; and have my iMac for anything that security would matter. – stealer0517
Reddit Comment #10
Well, I don’t consider an ultrawide monitor to be a replacement for dual monitors. Primary monitor 21:9 for gaming and producitivty with a secondary 16:9 for browser, voice communication etc. is the way to go imo. – xtrxrzr
