Three x Acer G257HUs vs. Three Dell U3014s

[Fun Guy]

So, instead of getting a:

2560 x 1600 * 3 = 7680 x 1600 Desktop for $3,000
​

I get a:

2560 x 1440 * 3 = 7680 x 1440 Desktop for $750
​

One benefit of the Acer setup is that there will be an smaller footprint. This means less used desk space - plus, I won't have to turn my head as much to see the extreme edges of the side monitors.

My only question is the dot pitch. I already have a single U3014 and it is readable, but my concern is that I won't be able to see what is on the Acer displays.

On the Dells the dot pitch is .25mm, whereas on the Acer it is .216. Is this significant?

 

[Bacon1]

What is your use case for these? Gaming on all 3 or just middle? I'd recommend getting a freesync monitor if gaming on middle on is going to be the use case. Overall 1440 vs 1600 isn't a huge difference and for the price the 1440p is way worth it. You could even go with an ultrawide 1440p center with two of the acers on the sides if you wanted more screen space and better center gaming

 

[LurchFrinky]

Yeah, we really need your use case.
The Dell is a great monitor - I have one and plan on getting a second - but it is meant for professionals (graphical artists, drafters, coders, anybody who needs accurate colors, extra vertical pixels, or who spend enough time at the screen where eye strain is a concern) and it carries a professional price tag.
I don't think the two monitors are really comparable. You would get the Dells if you need them, otherwise the Acers would be fine.

 

[Fun Guy]

Okay, sorry about that. I am a PhD student who will use all three screens to review & create 5-6 documents at the same time - journal articles, MS Word, and a browser or two. My instincts say the larger the better, but my wallet is balking...

 

[Bacon1]

Okay, sorry about that. I am a PhD student who will use all three screens to review & create 5-6 documents at the same time - journal articles, MS Word, and a browser or two. My instincts say the larger the better, but my wallet is balking...

Ok just go with the 3x acer then, absolutely no reason to spend over 3x as much just for a little more screen space when you'll have way more than you need now, and if you really do need more, you can buy another and mount it on top. I use PLP 20"-30"-20" for a total of 4960x1600 and have lots of room for everything while I code / work and when gaming I can have stuff on both sides or watch a movie or w/e.

 

[thesmokingman]

Why no portrait for productivity? Landscape is for gaming sims or immersion, like driving.

 

[Fun Guy]

Why no portrait for productivity? Landscape is for gaming sims or immersion, like driving.

With 2560 pixels across, I essentially get 1280x1440 or 1280x1600 across - for two documents on each screen - a much better use of space than having the monitors in portrait.

The ability to have 6 documents open simultaneously is exactly what I need for the type of work I am doing.

 

[Bacon1]

With 2560 pixels across, I essentially get 1280x1440 or 1280x1600 across - for two documents on each screen - a much better use of space than having the monitors in portrait.

The ability to have 6 documents open simultaneously is exactly what I need for the type of work I am doing.

Yep, plus windows snap works well on multi-monitor setups so you can easily snap 2 to the sides of each side monitor and 1 full screen in the center for 5 open documents (or snap middle too for 6). Will be a nice setup!

 

[thesmokingman]

Documents gone wild!

 

[Fun Guy]

Yep, plus windows snap works well on multi-monitor setups so you can easily snap 2 to the sides of each side monitor and 1 full screen in the center for 5 open documents (or snap middle too for 6). Will be a nice setup!

This is my setup right now: a 2560x1600 in the middle, with two 1200x1600s (1600x1200s in portrait) on the sides.

Now I can have four docs at once, which is nice, but six will be better.

 

[Bacon1]

Same setup I have! Even the HP instead of Dell center

 

[xthetenth]

Why no portrait for productivity? Landscape is for gaming sims or immersion, like driving.

Nope. Past 1440 adding height is in the land of diminishing returns until you get past 100% scaling 4K or start stacking ultrawide 1440.

I run 2560+3440+2560x1440 and I never find myself wanting more height. I'd recommend that if you want to maximize window space. The wing monitors are going to make you turn your head anyway and it's not 3 grand.