Curved monitors seem to be the trend nowadays. From gaming to viewing pleasures, almost everyone wants to trade their flat screens for curvier ones. As many claims, these can give you a more surreal and immersive experience.
Let’s see what the raves are about and if there are truths to these claims or if they are just overrated.
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Do curved monitors offer a more immersive experience than flat ones?
This is perhaps what urges most people to trade their flat monitors for curvier ones. That’s why you see a lot of gaming setups fashioned with curved monitors. But is that really the case?
The thing is, there is a truth to this claim.
Flat monitors are, well, flat. So it’s kind of one-dimensional and does not give you that peripheral view. And curved monitors kind of give their users a three-dimensional view. Given the shape, it offers a more peripheral view, and this can immerse you more in whatever it is that you’re doing.
Especially if you are a gamer, this type of view is quite important and can make the game seem more alive.
Curved monitors also seem to make pictures clearer and more realistic. This also makes it easier for the viewers to take everything at a glance without causing eye strain.
Flat monitors offer a more traditional type of viewing, which is a rather in-your-face, right there and then type of viewing.
And of course, before the discovery of a more immersive viewing experience, one-dimensional was not really an issue. Before, getting a bigger TV or monitor often seemed enough. But that is not the case anymore. Peripheral viewing made a whole lot of difference. Peripheral viewing is an important aspect of visual perception, in all areas of life.
Now since everything seems dreamy with a curved monitor, so why is it that there is still a debate on which is better? Well, that’s because all the nice things we’ve mentioned above don’t apply to all circumstances and situations.
There is an aspect where curved monitors may not offer you the best experience. In these instances, you might be better off with a flat one. Let’s talk more about it below.
Monitor size vs shape: Why it can greatly affect your viewing pleasure
When choosing between a flat and a curved monitor, there is a considerable factor here, which is the size.
Let’s take for example 24″, 27″, 32″, and 34″ units. Did you know that it’s not the best idea to get a curved one for all these sizes?
A curvier shape works best with larger monitor sizes. They work great with ultrawide displays. Consider the distance from your eye to the screen center and the edge of the screen as the screen gets bigger.
That’s why it’s important to get curved ones for large and ultra-wide screens. Otherwise, you might have trouble viewing everything at a glance. That is why for any screen greater than 27 inches, a curved shape is important.
So normally for smaller to average-size monitors, say 24″ to 27″, it will not be a nice experience if you get a curved one. It can somehow distort your vision once you start working on other gadgets with a flat-screen, which is pretty much what we all use every day. These can be your mobile phones and laptops.
Which is better for gaming and work?
It’s no secret that gamers would benefit from curved monitors. But keep in mind that if provided you are using a larger one. That’s the only time that you will really be able to fully appreciate this more expensive option.
Since curved monitors also offer lots of peripheral vision, it keeps you focused on what you’re doing and limits the chance of being distracted by anything that is happening in your background. And this results in a more immersive experience. That’s why it is the best option for gaming.
And since it can help you focus more on what is right in front of you, is it also best to use for work, design or say coding?
You can end up with a larger area to view your documents, browser, images, and videos. But if you’re working with graphs, lines, and such files, a flat monitor can be a more fitting choice.
Curved monitors can somehow make lines seem curved. This is especially true if the graph occupies the entire screen.
So if you are working on such files, go for flat-screen ones.
Things to keep in mind before getting a curved monitor
Flat screens offer one-dimensional viewing. That’s why it can make gaming seem bland and is open to a lot of distractions
But it’s not always a walk in the park when it comes to curved monitors, even if you get the larger size.
Here are some disadvantages.
It can be more glaring
Since curved screens can catch more light from all angles, they can be more glaring. Though flat ones are not immune to this, since they are one-dimensional, it is easier to place them in an area where they will not catch galore. It might be challenging to do that with a curved one.
You have to be at the center of the screen or somewhere near it to be able to take full advantage of it
Try to sit somewhere near the edge of the screen, and you’ll instantly know why. The image from this direction will be somewhat distorted.
That’s also the reason why this is best used by one person. That will ensure that you are positioned at the center. It will not be a good experience for someone sitting near the edge.
You’ll not be able to change the orientation of the panels
This is where flat ones may offer more versatility. So if you are working and need to reposition your monitors from time to time. You need flat ones. The curved monitor will seem more aesthetic and pleasing to the eyes, but it has limitations. You will not be able to change the orientation of the screen. flat.
It might need some time to get used to
We are all accustomed to viewing with a flat-screen. From your phones to laptops, everything is flat.
Now even if curved monitors offer a more immersive experience, it can take time for some to get used to it. The ultra-wide angles can be a bit overwhelming for some users.
They are also more expensive
You can find an array of cheap flat monitors, but curved ones can run a hole in your pocket. They have a more upgraded technology and hence are more costly. And since it works best for larger motors, you will be forced to get a bigger one to fully enjoy the benefits. And the wider and larger a unit is, the more costly it can get.
Should you go straight or curved?
Whether you want a traditional flat monitor or a trendier curved one, Keep these factors in mind. The size, the application, and your budget. It’s best to weigh in all these so that you will be able to get the best value, even if you opted to go the more expensive route.
