Ultrawide screen monitor recommendations?
Discussion
Morning all,
I'm looking for an ultrawide screen monitor for my study at home, and would be interested in any recommendations.
Use will be 95% work & web browsing, with a little bit of Netflix from time to time, but no gaming, so I'm not overly worried about either lightning fast refresh rates or HDR support. It will be plugged into a Lenovo X380 Yoga laptop. I don't know if the laptop will give limitations, but it does at least have a USB-C port, which I understand can give better results than HDMI?
Budget is up to around £650 (in bold to try and stave off some of the typical "it's amazing how little you have to compromise on this panel, and at just over £2.5k it's a real bargain" type responses that can crop up!), and all things being equal, I'd trade top end features I'm unlikely to use (such as the aforementioned HDR and fast refresh rate) for a larger screen, as the biggest driver for this purchase is being able to work with at least two spreadsheets and a browser open side by side, and preferably email or a second browser window as well.
One thing that's puzzling me somewhat is that there seem to be loads of 34" options, and equally loads of 49" ones, but very little anywhere in between? 49" would represent a huge and welcome uplift from my current 24" standard ratio monitor, but they're somewhat out of my price range!
I'm looking for an ultrawide screen monitor for my study at home, and would be interested in any recommendations.
Use will be 95% work & web browsing, with a little bit of Netflix from time to time, but no gaming, so I'm not overly worried about either lightning fast refresh rates or HDR support. It will be plugged into a Lenovo X380 Yoga laptop. I don't know if the laptop will give limitations, but it does at least have a USB-C port, which I understand can give better results than HDMI?
Budget is up to around £650 (in bold to try and stave off some of the typical "it's amazing how little you have to compromise on this panel, and at just over £2.5k it's a real bargain" type responses that can crop up!), and all things being equal, I'd trade top end features I'm unlikely to use (such as the aforementioned HDR and fast refresh rate) for a larger screen, as the biggest driver for this purchase is being able to work with at least two spreadsheets and a browser open side by side, and preferably email or a second browser window as well.
One thing that's puzzling me somewhat is that there seem to be loads of 34" options, and equally loads of 49" ones, but very little anywhere in between? 49" would represent a huge and welcome uplift from my current 24" standard ratio monitor, but they're somewhat out of my price range!
With regard to driving the screen, https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/ThinkPad/... says
supports external digital monitor via HDMI or USB Type-C;supports three independent displays;Max resolution: 4096x2304@60Hz (USB Type-C); 4096x2160@30Hz (HDMI)
The screen you link (I think electriQ is laptopdirect's house brand ?) is 3840 x 1080 , so less than half the 4096 x 2160 HDMI supported resolution. I suspect you may well get 60Hz with a simple HDMI cable. If not, USB C to DP should be fine, just less ubiquitous cabling.
I think I'd rather have a pair of 27" 2560 x 1440 panels, because I like more vertical resolution than 1080, but depends on what you want it for.
supports external digital monitor via HDMI or USB Type-C;supports three independent displays;Max resolution: 4096x2304@60Hz (USB Type-C); 4096x2160@30Hz (HDMI)
The screen you link (I think electriQ is laptopdirect's house brand ?) is 3840 x 1080 , so less than half the 4096 x 2160 HDMI supported resolution. I suspect you may well get 60Hz with a simple HDMI cable. If not, USB C to DP should be fine, just less ubiquitous cabling.
I think I'd rather have a pair of 27" 2560 x 1440 panels, because I like more vertical resolution than 1080, but depends on what you want it for.
Kermit power said:
I may be wrong, but I think you need a docking station to run multiple external monitors.
I'd have expected that DP from the USB C port and HDMI would work simultaneously? Certainly I've done simultaneous DP and HDMI from a couple of laptops during the recent unpleasantness with no trouble.The data sheet just says "supports three independent displays" with no mention of a docking station required, so I'd presume 1 internal and 2 externals.
Kermit power said:
Just to move it on a bit, I'm struggling for a reason not to go for this? Sure, I've never heard of "electriQ" either, but how far wrong could I go with a 49" Samsung QLED panel for £600? 
You'll be fine unless you're not. I've been trying for 2 weeks to get in contact with said company but they don't answer phones or emails "because covid". 
king Brexit!! 
This is maybe a stupid question, but have you considered two monitors instead of one ultra wide?
Particularly if you’re happy with 1080p you could get 2x monitors for quite a bit below budget.
With some of the mount options you can have one base (or mount to a desk directly) with multiple screens so it’s fairly tidy.
Particularly if you’re happy with 1080p you could get 2x monitors for quite a bit below budget.
With some of the mount options you can have one base (or mount to a desk directly) with multiple screens so it’s fairly tidy.
CrouchingWayne said:
This is maybe a stupid question, but have you considered two monitors instead of one ultra wide?
Particularly if you’re happy with 1080p you could get 2x monitors for quite a bit below budget.
With some of the mount options you can have one base (or mount to a desk directly) with multiple screens so it’s fairly tidy.
I had, but...Particularly if you’re happy with 1080p you could get 2x monitors for quite a bit below budget.
With some of the mount options you can have one base (or mount to a desk directly) with multiple screens so it’s fairly tidy.
1. My single most common probable usage will be three windows open at a time - usually a browser window and two spreadsheets. Wouldn't I end up with two on one screen and one on the other, rather than three spaced evenly across the display?
2. Will the two panels look identical if I've got one connected via HDMI and the other via USB-C? I'd suddenly develop OCD if the white balance, brightness or contrast ended up just ever so slightly out!
3. I'm not sure about having the double bezel line right in the middle of my field of vision.
4. I quite like the curved screen feel.
There are some 43" 32:10 ratio 3840 x 1200 by Samsung and Philips but the pixel density isn't much better than a 24" 1080p display.
There are 38" LG 21:9 ratio 3840 x 1600 which has better pixel density so i think it would look good, but has less physical space than two monitors. - it would probably be OK for 3 windows though!
I am considering the same thing. I have two 24" 16:9 monitors that I would like to replaced with one. 43" seems ideal, but I don't want to splash on something that doesnt have more clarity.
I often do data analysis comparing lists and linking multiple spreadsheets. I end up using more than 4 windows on a task (plus teams and outlook) so would be nice to have them lined up and each be big enough to work in.
it seems at the moment the way to go for 4 windows is 49" 32:9 5120 x 1440 Dual QHD which is massive and expensive! 2 27" 16:9 QHD monitors in one basically.
If anyone sees any deals for this type of thing please post them up!!!
There are 38" LG 21:9 ratio 3840 x 1600 which has better pixel density so i think it would look good, but has less physical space than two monitors. - it would probably be OK for 3 windows though!
I am considering the same thing. I have two 24" 16:9 monitors that I would like to replaced with one. 43" seems ideal, but I don't want to splash on something that doesnt have more clarity.
I often do data analysis comparing lists and linking multiple spreadsheets. I end up using more than 4 windows on a task (plus teams and outlook) so would be nice to have them lined up and each be big enough to work in.
it seems at the moment the way to go for 4 windows is 49" 32:9 5120 x 1440 Dual QHD which is massive and expensive! 2 27" 16:9 QHD monitors in one basically.
If anyone sees any deals for this type of thing please post them up!!!
Edited by Glade on Saturday 4th July 20:22
Kermit power said:
I had, but...
1. My single most common probable usage will be three windows open at a time - usually a browser window and two spreadsheets. Wouldn't I end up with two on one screen and one on the other, rather than three spaced evenly across the display?
2. Will the two panels look identical if I've got one connected via HDMI and the other via USB-C? I'd suddenly develop OCD if the white balance, brightness or contrast ended up just ever so slightly out!
3. I'm not sure about having the double bezel line right in the middle of my field of vision.
4. I quite like the curved screen feel.
That’s cool, just thought I would put it out there. I have 2x screens just now and would swap for one big one for the reasons you mention too. When I looked into it lightly it seems that for productivity most people were suggesting 2x was the way to go. Still, the big display is nice....1. My single most common probable usage will be three windows open at a time - usually a browser window and two spreadsheets. Wouldn't I end up with two on one screen and one on the other, rather than three spaced evenly across the display?
2. Will the two panels look identical if I've got one connected via HDMI and the other via USB-C? I'd suddenly develop OCD if the white balance, brightness or contrast ended up just ever so slightly out!
3. I'm not sure about having the double bezel line right in the middle of my field of vision.
4. I quite like the curved screen feel.
Kermit power said:
I had, but...
1. My single most common probable usage will be three windows open at a time - usually a browser window and two spreadsheets. Wouldn't I end up with two on one screen and one on the other, rather than three spaced evenly across the display?
2. Will the two panels look identical if I've got one connected via HDMI and the other via USB-C? I'd suddenly develop OCD if the white balance, brightness or contrast ended up just ever so slightly out!
3. I'm not sure about having the double bezel line right in the middle of my field of vision.
4. I quite like the curved screen feel.
1. In this scenario I tend to put the browser on the laptop screen1. My single most common probable usage will be three windows open at a time - usually a browser window and two spreadsheets. Wouldn't I end up with two on one screen and one on the other, rather than three spaced evenly across the display?
2. Will the two panels look identical if I've got one connected via HDMI and the other via USB-C? I'd suddenly develop OCD if the white balance, brightness or contrast ended up just ever so slightly out!
3. I'm not sure about having the double bezel line right in the middle of my field of vision.
4. I quite like the curved screen feel.
2. In my experience yes - uniform room lighting becomes an issue if you're really fussy though, and that's an issue across a curved monitor as well.
3. Agreed - I tend to end up with one screen central, the other to the left and the laptop on the right on a stand to get the height matching.
4 Fair point - I find window snapping easier to manage on multiple screens, and like the flexibility of being able to temporarily repurpose separate screens. If you like curved screens then go for it.
In the end, I've gone for two 24" LG 4K monitors.
Even with the addition of a 4K HDMI cable, USB-C to Display Port cable and twin monitor arm thrown in, it worked out £60 cheaper than the electriQ monitor, has significantly better resolution, and above all - for someone who just can't be doing with delayed gratification - will all be here on Monday rather than 3 weeks from now!! I guess I'll manage to cope with the bezels and the lack of curvature!
Even with the addition of a 4K HDMI cable, USB-C to Display Port cable and twin monitor arm thrown in, it worked out £60 cheaper than the electriQ monitor, has significantly better resolution, and above all - for someone who just can't be doing with delayed gratification - will all be here on Monday rather than 3 weeks from now!! I guess I'll manage to cope with the bezels and the lack of curvature!
Kermit power said:
Just to move it on a bit, I'm struggling for a reason not to go for this? Sure, I've never heard of "electriQ" either, but how far wrong could I go with a 49" Samsung QLED panel for £600?
I have the 35" electriciq uw screen and had no issues. It's sold under a few other names too. There is every chance you get a bad one but this seems to be the case with the top end ones too. (Batman halos etc)
Just to add they don't have the best customer service reputation.. I lived 20 minutes away so wouldn't have to suffer phone / email communication with them
Edited by bigdrew on Sunday 5th July 07:41
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