Do I need a widescreen monitor?

[koocha]

Hi

I'm looking at getting a bigger monitor. I'll mostly be using it for web design, video encoding and surfing. Maybe the odd game here and there.

I've got a 17" TFT at the mo and would like to use my new display as my main screen. I'm planning on a dual screen setup for my web design.

The thing is...

Do I get a 20" 4:3 affair or go for something widescreen? I don't watch DVDs on my computer - I have a DVD player for that.

Cheers

Tim

[this_is_gav]

4:3 will be more suited to full screen apps, whereas if you wish, with widescreen you can have 2 smaller windows side-by-side.

You don't have to follow that theory, but it will likely be the best option. All depends on how you wish to use the monitor. Of course, if you get one that can operate in portrait mode, then that's another option available to you.

[streetster]

"do i need X hardware upgrade"

"Go for it!!"

Seriously though, If you're going for dual monitors for the sake of work i would suggest getting another 17".... but i'm getting a nice 20" widescreen for christmas but thats mostly for gaming/movies rather than work

[Fabula]

The only real benefit of widescreen is for widescreen movies.
When browsing, typing etc, most people are wanting screen height, rather than width.

With your current 17" available for dual screen, just go for a regular 19" or 20" screen to go with it.

[chrisg22]

I just got a widescreen monitor and I love it.

Pretty damn good for playing EVE Online and doing abit of web creation.

Have a look at the new monitor & desk.

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3

Enjoy.

[koocha]

The only real benefit of widescreen is for widescreen movies.
When browsing, typing etc, most people are wanting screen height, rather than width.

With your current 17" available for dual screen, just go for a regular 19" or 20" screen to go with it.

Think I'll probably plump for one of those Video7 20" things

[philipbain]

The quality of widescreen TFTs has improved greatly in recent times, though most aps are still optimised for 4:3 monitors I think that widescreen over time will start to take over much as it has in TVs.

[EtheAv8r]

with a second 17 I think a 20" 1200*1600 would be best for you, my (fabulous) ViewSonic VP2030B has a swivel facility and can be simply rotated into Portrate or 'normal' Landscape mode as and when required. If you go widscreen you may find you will miss the additional 'height' a small widescreen will give you in standard apps work.

[pr0p4g4nd4]

I've had a 19" widescreen before and I adored it. I'm getting a 20" or 22" widey soon. Widescreen is highly recommended for gaming, movie viewing and multi-tasking. You won't regret going 16:9

pr0p

[Bobster]

only widescreens worth getting are the 23" + the 20" u actually get less pixels for your money vs 4:3..

[Richie P]

I've had a 19" widescreen before and I adored it. I'm getting a 20" or 22" widey soon. Widescreen is highly recommended for gaming, movie viewing and multi-tasking. You won't regret going 16:9

pr0p

*cough* 16:10 *cough*

Nah seriously...16:10 is where its at...16:9 is for uneducated LCD TV nubs.

[Supershanks]

The only real benefit of widescreen is for widescreen movies.
When browsing, typing etc, most people are wanting screen height, rather than width.

I updated my monitor recently to widescreen. I find this is not the case. the abilty 2 see 2 pages side by side in office & the fact that 4 once the split screen in excel is great. My wife has my old monitor & it seems really strange going back to 4:3. I've yet to see anything that loses from wide screen.

[koocha]

This isn't helping!

I don't do much gaming or movie watching. I use Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Video Studio and Firefox.

That's what my PC is for

[Ady168uk]

i do a bit of photoshop myself, nothing wrong with using widescreen. when it comes to using PS, the bigger the better I think, currently got a 2405fpw..go for it! and when you do watch media or play games its pretty sweet.

Dell 2405fpw

Acer AL1916W