Digital

Dual‑monitor devotion: ultrawide monitors are calling

uTech News2025-07-2609 mins

Why My Dual‑Monitor Setup Is Feared to Fall

I’ve been a devoted fan of dual‑monitor arrangements for over ten years. While my colleagues here at Digital Trends debated whether the best ultrawide gaming monitors outweigh a dual 16:9 setup, I never doubted – two screens for me, please and thank you.

Recent Shifts in the Argue

Yet lately, my resolve has begun to waver, and justifiably so. Below are the factors that have me holding on tight, and the potential reasons that may prompt a move to a single ultrawide shortly.

Performance Plateau – The incremental gains of a dual‑monitor setup are now minimal for my workflow.
Space Economy – The desk real estate consumed by two screens is increasingly inconvenient.
Hardware Longevity – Minutes of power consumption with two separate panels raise long‑term reliability concerns.
Gaming Evolution – Modern ultrawide monitors now support modern game titles without loss of resolution.

What Keeps Me Attached

Below are the main reasons why I’m still clinging to my dual monitors by a thread:

Minor cut‑scene clarity – Two screens never lose synchronization.
Continuous document monitoring – I can split my work and creative tasks side by side.
Versatile language switch – I can use one monitor against my native language and the other for my native language in separate windows.

The Potential Switch

However, the lure of the single ultrawide is gaining traction:

Single‑panel VFR – Single maps use VRF, unlike dual panel VFR.
Ultra‑Wide Apex – UWP ultra‑wide libraries use updated apex qualities, which codifies the streaming‑point traffic that may be.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, I anticipate that a single ultrawide may be my eventual next step, although I still cling to the dual‑monitor setup for the time being.

Am I getting old?

My Dual‑Monitor Dilemma

For years I’ve championed the dual‑monitor setup. Whether I’m coding, researching, or gaming, a second screen keeps my notes, research tabs, or entertainment perfectly in sight.

Yet a year after purchasing two identical monitors, my steadfast commitment is fading. I’m left wondering if the urge to expand my desk is slipping away.

Why the Change?

Neck Strain: Constantly angling the neck feels fresh, unlike before.
Color Calibration: Even after meticulous calibration, the color mismatch between screens bothers me now.
Different Viewing Angles: The monitors can’t perfectly match each other’s angles, especially when one faces away.
Bezel Alignment: Ultra‑thin bezels still snag when one monitor tilts, preventing a flawless two‑panel display.
Progressive Lenses: My glasses’ variable prescription hurts my eyes at the monitor’s side and top, adding fatigue.

Considering a Switch

With these inconveniences mounting, an ultrawide monitor is tempting. A single wide screen could provide:

Seamless, bezel‑free viewing.
No neck rotation between panels.
Uniform color and angle across the whole workspace.
Reduced eye strain thanks to consistent focus.

Will I abandon my beloved dual setup for the allure of an ultrawide? Time will tell, but the numbers are speaking loudly.

Ultrawides are better and cheaper than ever

Ultrawide Monitors in 2025

Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

Our team has tested a wide range of ultrawide displays, from premium to budget‑friendly options. Some were pricey, others were very affordable. Even when my dual‑monitor setup had a superior resolution, many ultrawides were still tempting.

Ultrawides Are Now the Norm

These panels are becoming increasingly common, and you no longer need to spend $1,000 to get a solid ultrawide. Many affordable models outperform my former dual‑monitor system and avoid its pitfalls.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G9

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 impressed us in a slightly newer version. It’s a 49‑inch board with a 144 Hz refresh rate. The display is breathtaking, and it now retails for $879—just marginally higher than the combined cost of my two monitors, yet it represents a completely new category of screen.

Samsung ViewFinity

Not every ultrawide requires a hefty investment. Samsung’s ViewFinity sells for $269 during a sale, and it still delivers great performance. It measures 34 inches, a much more manageable size for desk use, and it remains gamertuned thanks to a 100 Hz refresh rate.

The Cheapest Choice

The most reasonable ultrawide I’d consider is a Sceptre model at $199. It costs less than one of my older dual monitors, and it includes all the features most gamers desire.

These prices are daunting, and several friends urged me to make the switch. However, I would miss certain aspects of my current dual‑monitor setup if I chose an ultrawide.

I’m tempted, but I’m staying strong for now

Why I Sticking with Dual Monitors – and Not Giving Up

Dual‑monitor setups are still the king of productivity. Even though I’ve tested ultrawides on a few titles, I keep pulling two independent screens because they let me avoid the classic “double‑click wrong app” mishap. The work gets organized exactly the way I like it.

Gaming – A Mixed Bag

Ultrawides look fantastic. The wide aspect gives many games a cinematic feel.
Not all games love the 21:9 or 32:9 pixel grid. Indies or older titles often come with black bars, or they stretch the image poorly when I force-fit it into a widescreen plan.

Screen Proximity – The Practical Constraint

I’m cramped at my tiny apartment desk, so 34‑inch or 49‑inch ultrawides would push me too far away. Two 27‑inch monitors already stretch the space to its limit, which is my sweet spot.

My Trusted Monitors

I own two LG 27GP850‑B displays. I can’t recommend them more – they’re my reliable workhorse pair. If you’re thinking of picking different models, please don’t try to lure me into a change. I’m here for the job, thick and thin.