Productivity science says it’s not just inches that matter

It has happened to me and it may happen to you too: you have a monitor and you notice that it is no longer enough. You could take a leap and swap it for something a little larger, but just adding inches to the equation isn’t going to change things too much. To change our experience, we need something different, like opting for an ultrawide monitor or adding one more monitor to our setup.

What is the best option for you? Both are great, but both may not suit your needs in the same way. For this reason, we are going to take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these two configurations so that you know what to choose according to your priorities.

Choosing an ultrawide monitor

An ultrawide monitor is larger than a conventional one, but we cannot stop at that alone. These monitors usually have a 21:9 format, which means they are wider. This means that we have a longer horizontal space, which is a wonder for productivity.

And not only that: being a single screen, there is no type of barrier or frame that cuts off the visual experiencesomething ideal for working with long lines of code or spreadsheets with countless columns. Also three windows with documents or applications open at the same time. Your entire workspace, without interruptions. And for gaming, they are the best because you have a larger field of vision and the immersion they provide is not comparable to that of a normal monitor.

To this elongated screen we must add another factor, which is the curvature. There are options for flat ultrawide monitors, although if you dare to take the leap, I would recommend opting for a curved one. The reason is very easy to understand: the small curve of the monitor helps you see the entire thing at a glance. What does this imply? You don’t have to turn your headsomething you will appreciate when you finish your day. In addition, the ultrawide allows you to work centered and with a straight spine. With two monitors, your “center” will be the frames of both. Therefore, more neck movements.

Another element that works in favor of the ultrawide: Fitts’ Law. This, in short, predicts that the time needed to move to a target depends on its distance and size. And how does this apply to monitors? With two of them, we will have the frames as a “barrier” separating them both. that the brain will understand as an interruption. That does not happen with the ultrawide, since the mouse and everything will move fluidly across the screen. Without constantly jumping from one monitor to another, the cognitive load is reduced and that is great for less fatigue.

It is not the main reason to choose one of these monitors, but I have friends who have opted for an ultrawide because they prefer a more minimalist and tidy space. In the end, it is a continuous visual experience that you place on your desktop, which, of course, also has its downside: you need a large desktop background.

I will leave for last two more cons that, without being a drama, I would value a lot before opting for this option. Since it is a screen, if one day you start the computer and the monitor does not turn on, you will be left with nothing (having two monitors clearly wins there). In addition, by having many more pixels than a traditional widescreen monitor, you are going to need a medium powerful graphics card if you don’t want your games to drop below 60 FPS.

Choose two monitors

The other side of the coin: two monitors, side by side. If I had to define this setting in one word, it would be versatility. To build a setup with two screens, we can go ahead and buy them both or simply purchase one and add it to the one we already have, whether identical or of a different size and characteristics. And not only that: we can also change its height as we wish or rotate one of them to make it vertical. The latter is great for reading long documents or taking a look at social networks while, at the same time, you have another horizontal screen for a normal experience.

I have been working with two monitors for years and it is my choice because it offers the feeling of having two separate spaces. For example, I usually have a document open on one screen where I write and email or Slack on the other. In return, there is one thing in which the ultrawides win by a landslide: you are going to find a frame in the middle and you are going to have to move your neck more.

I’m going to stop at this last point for a moment. It is very necessary that the two monitors are well placedsomething that is not as simple as it sounds. If they are identical it is easier, but it can be an odyssey as they are different sizes or manufacturers. If possible, I would pull a monitor standalthough that adds to the bill. And it is better not to skimp there, since they will have to support the weight of the monitors all the time.

The good and the bad of both options, face to face

We do the math to see what can compensate you more

As you can see, both configurations will help you improve your productivity. If they both “do the same thing”, then, How do you know which one is best for you? It is the differences of each one that you have to know, added to the use that you are going to give to the monitor (or monitors), since there will not be a big difference in price between both options. Let’s look at some specific cases to make it easier to understand.

If your priority is to have a single workspace where you can have two or three applications and documents open at once, then I would go for an ultrawide monitor. Because? Because the 21:9 format makes this much easier. And also healthier for your cervical spine.

• Actual use: You want to have a large space where you can see all your things at a glance without moving your neck.
• What do you get?: A single monitor that will make you gain visual cleanliness and allow you to have a more organized workspace.

However, you may prefer to have two separate workspaces that go hand in hand. Also, specifically, It is better for you to have a screen in a vertical position. There the two monitors win by a landslide.

• Actual use: You are looking for the experience that your normal monitor gives you in duplicate.
• What do you get?: A very versatile configuration that will allow you to work in different ways every time you need it. And if one breaks, you won’t be sold.

In summary:

👉 Choose an ultrawide monitor if: You want a unique workspace on a screen that you can see without having to move your neck.

👉 Choose two monitors if: You prefer two separate spaces that you can use (or move) as needed and you don’t mind if the experience is cut short.

Recommended models

Ultrawide monitor: LG 34WR50QK-B

If I were to choose an ultrawide monitor right now focused on productivity and for some sporadic gaming, I would choose this one from LG. It is 34 inches with 1800R curvaturewhich, as I mentioned above, makes it much easier to see the entire screen at a glance without moving your neck. In addition, it has QHD resolution, which is the most common and balanced to avoid spending a fortune.

It has 100 Hz, which makes moving between applications and documents more fluid, which also Helps reduce eye fatigue at the end of the day. It can also come in handy for the occasional game (although it is not a monitor designed for gaming) and it has a USB-C port, which never hurts to connect your mobile phone, for example.

Two monitors: Samsung S40GD

If you opt for two monitors and are going to buy two identical ones (which is ideal), I would go for this Samsung S40GD. It is an option of 24 inches with Full HD resolution and a refresh rate identical to the previous one of 100 Hz. It is true that it has a lower resolution than the previous one, but it is not so important since it is such a small screen.

To work with a dual monitor, I think it’s great: when using IPS paneloffers very good viewing angles, so, however you place them, you will have good visibility. In fact, to have a dual monitor, I would not opt ​​for a monitor with a VA panel for that very reason, since you will see them poorly from certain angles. It also offers both HDMI and DisplayPort, which is ideal for connecting two in case your PC has few connectivity options.

Of course, by putting two of these Samsung monitors in the cart, I would also add a double stand as this one from the Bontec brand: makes the final count go up, although in exchange it will give you more options to place them and will help you reduce neck movements.

Do you want to see more models?

If neither of these two monitors convinces you, you can consult our guide to ultrawide monitors or this other one focused on monitors to work.

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Images | Jose Garcia, Markus Spiske, Mehmet Ali Peker

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