LCD computer monitor - widescreen or no?

[notfred]

I'm thinking about buying anew monitor, but I'm not sure if I should get a regular 1280x1024 display, or a widescreen 1680x1050 one. Sure, the wide one is a bit bigger, but I don't really plan to watch movies on it. Is widescreen worthwhile for anything other than movies? I spend most of my time in text editors and looking at webpages.

I'm looking at a 17" to 20" range. if I get a 1280x1024 display, I might as well get a 17" ovre a 19", since I get better pixel density, but if I get a 20" I can get 1600x1200 or 1680x1050, but they're also more money.

 

[suicidalpigeon]

widescreen is teh pure sex.

 

[mugs]

I hate widescreen. I don't watch movies on my computer, so I'd rather have more vertical resolution.

And I agree on getting the 17" instead of the 19". 19" is a waste of money if you have good eyes.

 

[ndruw]

Originally posted by: mugs
I hate widescreen. I don't watch movies on my computer, so I'd rather have more vertical resolution.

And I agree on getting the 17" instead of the 19". 19" is a waste of money if you have good eyes.

the dells turn sideways for porrait mode

 

[randay]

I just recently picked up a vx2025wm and i like it. still getting used to using an lcd though. I am a crt fanatic but since they arent even being made anymore, it was time to change.

One thing to think about for the widescreen vs standard, is that the extra few pixels you get with the 1050 resolution is great for when you play games in windowed mode, you can go 1280x1024 windowed and the bottom half of the screen doesnt get overlapped by the task bar.

If you watch movies, play games, and do other multimedia type things widescreen is definately the way to go. If you program, write up documents, and just surf the net, you dont need widescreen at all.

 

[CaptnKirk]

Originally posted by: mugs
I hate widescreen. I don't watch movies on my computer, so I'd rather have more vertical resolution.

And I agree on getting the 17" instead of the 19". 19" is a waste of money if you have good eyes.

Well yeah, but us old coots have a bigger target and hence a better chance of hitting it when we batter it with our white canes . . . .

you whipersnappers

 

[So]

I :heart: my 1680x1050 2005FPW. No way I'd go back.

 

[bigrash]

I love my 20" widescreen apple cinema display.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: randay
I just recently picked up a vx2025wm and i like it. still getting used to using an lcd though. I am a crt fanatic but since they arent even being made anymore, it was time to change.

One thing to think about for the widescreen vs standard, is that the extra few pixels you get with the 1050 resolution is great for when you play games in windowed mode, you can go 1280x1024 windowed and the bottom half of the screen doesnt get overlapped by the task bar.

If you watch movies, play games, and do other multimedia type things widescreen is definately the way to go. If you program, write up documents, and just surf the net, you dont need widescreen at all.

actually you could have more windows open at a time to read off one and type in another

 

[cKGunslinger]

If you play games or watch movies, get the WS. If you don't, you might not appreciate the dimished verticle estate.

I enjoy my 1440x900 res, even when I am browsing, coding, or writing. Large pictue editing might be a problem, but I don't do that, so *shrug.*

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: ndruw

Originally posted by: mugs
I hate widescreen. I don't watch movies on my computer, so I'd rather have more vertical resolution.

And I agree on getting the 17" instead of the 19". 19" is a waste of money if you have good eyes.

the dells turn sideways for porrait mode

But then I lose so much horizontal resolution I need a decent horizontal resolution, because even with my taskbar expanded to two rows I STILL sometimes have too many windows open.

I personally think a 4:3 ratio works best for me. And actually instead of spending the money on 1 20" LCD I'd get 2 17" LCDs.

I use two separate workspaces more effectively than a single wide workspace.

 

[dainthomas]

I thought most games don't support WS resolutions? I'll stick with my standard LCD.

 

[NatePo717]

Originally posted by: So
I :heart: my 1680x1050 2005FPW. No way I'd go back.

I want a second!

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: dainthomas
I thought most games don't support WS resolutions? I'll stick with my standard LCD.

I don't think I've found one that doesn't support WS.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: dainthomas
I thought most games don't support WS resolutions? I'll stick with my standard LCD.

5:4 is sh!tty resolution to be using. There is no contest at all between 1280x1024 and 1680x1050.

 

[Baked]

Reason to buy WS is for the portrait mode. Pure sex right there.

 

[archcommus]

I'm perfectly happy with my 5:4 19" but if you're buying new now you might as well get widescreen.

 

[LanceM]

If you play games or watch movies, sure... go for widescreen. Otherwise, there's not much of a point.

 

[Shawn]

no

 

[BW86]

widescreen hands down

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: dainthomas
I thought most games don't support WS resolutions? I'll stick with my standard LCD.

5:4 is sh!tty resolution to be using. There is no contest at all between 1280x1024 and 1680x1050.

Of course there isn't, but if he's going to spend the money on 1680x1050 he could just as easily get 1600x1200.

 

[hjo3]

I think anyone who derides widescreen hasn't used one for any significant amount of time. I used to think they were only good for movies, but I've had this 2005FPW for a year now and it's a real pain to go back to 5:4's when I'm forced to.

 

[Koing]

Widescreen.

Koing

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: hjo3
I think anyone who derides widescreen hasn't used one for any significant amount of time. I used to think they were only good for movies, but I've had this 2005FPW for a year now and it's a real pain to go back to 5:4's when I'm forced to.

Widescreen is great if and only if you're not sacrificing vertical resolution or overall pixel count/physical space to get it.

The more square a display the more physical space it will have at a given diagonal measurement, widescreen under 22-23" really is pointless. Above that (where there are no real 4:3 competitors) widescreen is fine.

If the debate is only a 19" 5:4 vs a 20" 16:10 then take the widescreen all day long. Higher total pixel count, higher physical space (though not by much), and higher pixel density.

Viper GTS

 

[Green84061]

Originally posted by: NatePo717

Originally posted by: So
I :heart: my 1680x1050 2005FPW. No way I'd go back.

I want a second!

QFT, Now all I need is a nice 17" one to go along with the 2005fpw for pure joy.