I bought a 49-inch ultrawide monitor — and it has transformed how I work

[admin]

After using a 49-inch super ultrawide monitor for work, I don't think I could ever go back.

I bought a 49-inch ultrawide monitor — and it has transformed how I work : Read more

 

[ramtx]

After using a 49-inch super ultrawide monitor for work, I don't think I could ever go back.

I bought a 49-inch ultrawide monitor — and it has transformed how I work : Read more

At the end you show a photo from NASA and claim they all have what you have. Actually, as standard US Govt practice, if you look it is just a bunch of side by side monitors. Lots of standard sized computer monitors.

 

[rgd1101]

"it seems that a few of the scientists and engineers at NASA have already taken the super ultrawide plunge."
a don't see where it said all have, but a few

 

[ramtx]

"it seems that a few of the scientists and engineers at NASA have already taken the super ultrawide plunge."
a don't see where it said all have, but a few

That a few have an ultrawide monitor may very well be true. But where in that photo are they? The article states the photo demonstrates that NASA folks are using them.

 

[rgd1101]

don't know. but it clearly did not said ALL

 

[ramtx]

don't know. but it clearly did not said ALL

True. That is definitely a fault in my first comment.

My intent was that I don't see a single one in that photo. Too many things today (from CNN to Tom's Guide articles) state things and even use sources that don't support the statement. He said the photo was evidence of their usage. But I don't see them. I don't see a single one. The engineers (or other titles) in that photo do not buy the equipment they are sitting at. They didn't take the plunge and go down to Best Buy and get a new monitor for their workstation. They aren't going to spend that much of their own money on personalizing a taxpayer funded and NASA owned workstation. The can request one, but the bureaucracy will not see the value in a $900 or more monitor to replace two $140 monitors, especially when many of those workstations are using 4 monitors. Maybe if Dell made ultrawides for less...

But you are right on my usage of the word all. I messed that up.

 

[rgd1101]

While I can see where you're coming from.
This is just a monitor review, don't look to deep into it.
Sure it look nice, but am I going to spend $900 on my own money. no.

 

[twospirits]

I'm curious to know what laptop or desktop you use to run the monitor. Or do you use a hub?
I currently have my laptop connected to a multi-monitor hub that runs three monitors.

 

[ma2oliveira]

That a few have an ultrawide monitor may very well be true. But where in that photo are they? The article states the photo demonstrates that NASA folks are using them.

There might be one between CAPCOM and the person to CAPCOM's right (and a row further towards the screenwall): it's dimensions seem to have a larger ratio than the remainder. It's screen apparently shows graphs, controls and dials.

 

[Imad_Khan]

At the end you show a photo from NASA and claim they all have what you have. Actually, as standard US Govt practice, if you look it is just a bunch of side by side monitors. Lots of standard sized computer monitors.

You are correct! Thank you for catching this. I reached out to Nasa Johnson Space Center and they confirmed as such. They apparently have received questions about the use of ultrawide monitors in the past, which I found funny. And the NASA representative acknowledge that the lighting or angle could make two monitors look like an ultrawide. But yeah, at the moment, CAPCOM consoles use 5 monitors. Crazy.

 

[Imad_Khan]

"it seems that a few of the scientists and engineers at NASA have already taken the super ultrawide plunge."
a don't see where it said all have, but a few

Yeah, in my article I said it looks like a few. But after contacting NASA, the reality is that no console has an ultrawide now. We've issued a correction.

 

[Imad_Khan]

True. That is definitely a fault in my first comment.

My intent was that I don't see a single one in that photo. Too many things today (from CNN to Tom's Guide articles) state things and even use sources that don't support the statement. He said the photo was evidence of their usage. But I don't see them. I don't see a single one. The engineers (or other titles) in that photo do not buy the equipment they are sitting at. They didn't take the plunge and go down to Best Buy and get a new monitor for their workstation. They aren't going to spend that much of their own money on personalizing a taxpayer funded and NASA owned workstation. The can request one, but the bureaucracy will not see the value in a $900 or more monitor to replace two $140 monitors, especially when many of those workstations are using 4 monitors. Maybe if Dell made ultrawides for less...

But you are right on my usage of the word all. I messed that up.

Yup! You are mostly right here. NASA has a good system with its CAPCOM consoles. Now, does that mean NASA is just a giant bureaucracy and would never buy new tech? Of course not. On background, I was told that yeah, if employees needed a piece of equipment, they would do what they could to accommodate the request. It wasn't an outright no. But, as with any government agency, I wouldn't be surprised if an equipment request takes some time to process.

 

[Imad_Khan]

I'm curious to know what laptop or desktop you use to run the monitor. Or do you use a hub?
I currently have my laptop connected to a multi-monitor hub that runs three monitors.

So, right now I'm using a desktop with a RTX 3080 Ti. On a laptop it would be possible to use, just make sure your laptop has a display port. If you don't have a display port cable, try using a USB-C to DisplayPort cable rated for 4K 60Hz. But yeah, it might depend on the type of laptop you have and the graphics card on board.

 

[Imad_Khan]

There might be one between CAPCOM and the person to CAPCOM's right (and a row further towards the screenwall): it's dimensions seem to have a larger ratio than the remainder. It's screen apparently shows graphs, controls and dials.

Yup! You're correct. The image was the CAPCOM console with two monitors side-by-side. The angle of the picture just made it look like an ultrawide. We've issued a correction and called NASA to confirm.

 

[danheretic]

Help me understand how an ultrawide is more productive than side-by-side monitors. I see this come up all the time - in reviews online, talking with colleagues (I'm in IT) and friends (many of whom are developers). I have used both setups - at home I have 34" ultrawide and in the office I have dual 24". Both are good, but the point seems to be "more screen real estate is better for productivity" than specifically "an ultrawide is better for productivity".

Price per performance, the multi-monitor setup seems far more effective. I can get dual 24" IPS with docking capability (including charging) for half the cost of an ultrawide with about the same screen real estate. The article agrees, saying the cost needs to come down.

The only advantage of the ultrawide (and this is why I have one at home) over multi-monitors is the immersion for games and entertainment. However, unless you are a game designer or video production specialist (or something similar), this is not work related. The argument I hear is mostly for people using typical business apps - browser, office suite, chat client - or even an IDE.

 

[Imad_Khan]

Help me understand how an ultrawide is more productive than side-by-side monitors. I see this come up all the time - in reviews online, talking with colleagues (I'm in IT) and friends (many of whom are developers). I have used both setups - at home I have 34" ultrawide and in the office I have dual 24". Both are good, but the point seems to be "more screen real estate is better for productivity" than specifically "an ultrawide is better for productivity".

Price per performance, the multi-monitor setup seems far more effective. I can get dual 24" IPS with docking capability (including charging) for half the cost of an ultrawide with about the same screen real estate. The article agrees, saying the cost needs to come down.

The only advantage of the ultrawide (and this is why I have one at home) over multi-monitors is the immersion for games and entertainment. However, unless you are a game designer or video production specialist (or something similar), this is not work related. The argument I hear is mostly for people using typical business apps - browser, office suite, chat client - or even an IDE.

Hmm, I don't argue that's it's more productive. For me, I went from standard size monitors to 21:9, and then to 32:9. At first I felt going from 21:9 to 32:9 wouldn't make a big difference, but it totally did.

Can multimonitor be equally productive, sure! I've personally never had a multimonitor set-up at home. But again, my piece wasn't meant to be a direct comparison.

For me, personally, I think I'd prefer having one larger screen as opposed to two.

I do have video editor friends that prefer ultrawides.

 

[angeldata]

I prefer a single monitor and concentrate on one thing. It also saves lot of power and makes less heat.