Why I Switched To An Ultrawide Monitor
For a long time, I resisted getting an ultrawide monitor. Concerns about its impact on my gaming experience, productivity, and whether it would take up too much desk space kept me from making the leap. But after finally taking the plunge last year, and spending six months with the BenQ MOBIUZ EX3415R Curved Ultrawide Monitor, I’m here to tell you: I’m sold.
The Specs Breakdown
Before diving into my personal experience, let’s cover the technical details. The BenQ EX3415R is a 34-inch, 1440p ultrawide QHD monitor with a resolution of 3440 x 1440, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 2ms response time. It features an IPS panel, AMD FreeSync, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.4. According to BenQ, it offers ultra-smart HDR, impressive refresh rates, high contrast ratios, and excellent color accuracy. For a full breakdown of the specs, I recommend visiting the BenQ website.
My Experience with the BenQ EX3415R
Switching from 1080p to 1440p:
The transition from a standard 1080p display to this ultrawide 1440p monitor was eye-opening. The increased screen real estate significantly boosts productivity. I can comfortably fit three applications side by side, which wasn’t possible with my old setup of two 1080p monitors. This extra space makes multitasking smoother and more efficient.
Productivity and Content Creation:
One of the primary reasons I wanted an ultrawide monitor was for content creation. The additional timeline space at the bottom of the screen is invaluable when editing videos. For anyone who spends a lot of time in video editing software, the extra space makes a significant difference. It feels so much better to have everything spread out and easily accessible. If you edit videos regularly, I highly recommend investing in an ultrawide monitor. The experience is transformative, making the editing process more enjoyable and efficient.
Gaming on an Ultrawide:
When it comes to gaming, the experience varies depending on the game. For example, in games like League of Legends, where you constantly drag your mouse to the screen edges and monitor a mini-map, an ultrawide can be a bit of a disadvantage. However, most modern games support ultrawide resolutions natively, and the immersive experience they offer is unparalleled.
One crucial consideration is whether your computer has the power to handle the extra pixels. If you’re switching from a 1080p monitor to an ultrawide 1440p, be prepared for a drop in FPS unless you upgrade your graphics card. The performance hit can be noticeable, so ensure your system is equipped to handle the demands of an ultrawide setup.
My Dual Monitor Setup
This isn’t actually my first ultrawide monitor. I also have a Dell ultrawide that’s nearly ten years old. My wife used it as her main monitor until she upgraded to one with a higher refresh rate. Now, I use it as my second monitor. Although it’s only 60Hz and the colors have started to fade, it still serves as a reliable secondary screen.
Having two ultrawide monitors may seem excessive, but it has proven to be incredibly useful. The older Dell ultrawide functions as an auxiliary display, perfect for keeping chat windows, reference materials, or secondary applications open while I work on the main BenQ monitor. This dual-monitor setup has enhanced my workflow and productivity, making it easier to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Desk Real Estate and Setup
Worried about desk space? My desk is a 50-inch model, and it fits my setup nicely. I have my desktop on one side (where it belongs, not on the floor!), my 34-inch ultrawide in the middle, and my laptop on the other side. The vertical stacking of my monitors also helps save space and is more comfortable for viewing compared to having multiple monitors side by side.
Maximizing desk space is crucial, especially if you have a smaller workspace. The vertical stacking option allows for a more ergonomic setup. Looking slightly up and down is often more comfortable than constantly turning your head left and right. This setup also keeps all your tools and applications within easy reach, streamlining your workflow.
Built-In Monitor Audio
A surprising benefit of the BenQ EX3415R is the built-in speakers. They are larger and provide better sound quality than most monitor speakers I’ve encountered. While I still prefer my desktop speakers, the monitor’s audio quality is good enough for short-term use.
Having decent built-in speakers is a plus, especially for quick tasks like watching tutorial videos or video calls. While they may not replace a dedicated audio system for high-fidelity sound, they offer a convenient and surprisingly good audio experience for day-to-day use.
The Downsides
Of course, there are some downsides. Some games and applications might not scale properly, and you might need to tweak settings to get them to display correctly. Websites designed for 1920x1080 resolution can look a bit off on an ultrawide monitor. But these are minor inconveniences compared to the benefits.
Certain older games and software applications may not fully support ultrawide resolutions, leading to stretched or distorted visuals. This issue can often be mitigated by running the applications in windowed mode or applying community-created patches or mods. While these solutions aren’t perfect, they allow you to enjoy the benefits of an ultrawide monitor without significant drawbacks.
Conclusion: Is It Worth It?
After six months, I can confidently say I’ll be using this ultrawide monitor for a long time. For something I spend 8, 10, or even 12 hours a day looking at, it’s essential to have a monitor that looks great, performs well, and enhances productivity. Have you made the switch to an ultrawide monitor yet? Let me know in the comments!
Making the switch to an ultrawide monitor has been one of the best tech decisions I’ve made. It has improved my productivity, enhanced my gaming experience, and made content creation more enjoyable. If you’re on the fence about making the switch, I highly recommend giving it a try. The benefits far outweigh the minor inconveniences, and the experience is truly transformative.
And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading down to The Pixel Pub for a drink. Cheers!
And if you’re interested in the BenQ MOBIUZ EX3415R Curved Ultrawide monitor, you can get your own here — https://amzn.to/3VcaFsV
