Why Widescreen Displays are Great
Click on the thumbnail below to see a full-size version of my computer screen. Be patient though, as the screenshot is 328kb and is 1680 x 1050 pixels big. It will also open in a new window:
That’s right; widescreen monitors are great because they make it easier for you to place things side-by-side. Not necessarily to multi-task (which doesn’t prove productive for many people), but to make comparisons and consulting a lot easier. The vertically-generous visual real-estate makes it easy to maneuver windows beside each other. So why does this make widescreen displays great?
I’m sure you know that it’s a lot easier comparing two things when their side-by-side rather than up-and-down. Whether you read from right to left or left to right. The need to compare things is important for many kinds of freelancers. Photographers need to see how their enhanced photos compare to the original. Writers need to consult a source as they write their articles. Web designers want to see how their code looks on a browser.
Being able to see everything at a glance doesn’t necessarily overwhelm a user with too much information. Especially if only relevant data is displayed. A widescreen monitor provides more space for you to do this.
The widescreen monitor is also an affordable alternative to the dual-screen setup, where two displays work together to show a really wide image to the user. While a widescreen monitor doesn’t provide that much space, it’s still a lot cheaper to buy one display than two.
And you don’t have to wait that long to get an affordable widescreen display; they’re slowly becoming the standard. Most new laptops feature one, and the latest LCD monitors are widescreen.
In short, if you work in front of a computer all day, can’t afford a two-monitor setup, and don’t have a widescreen monitor, I suggest you buy one as soon as possible. A widescreen monitor is a cheap way to show much more information side-by-side, making it easy to take in. This, more often than not, provides a freelancer or contract worker an easy way to keep all the data he needs within easy reach—right in front of his eyes—and makes work a bit easier.
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POSTED IN: Freelance Gadgets, Ways to Work Faster
3 opinions for Why Widescreen Displays are Great
Vyoma
May 30, 2007 at 10:36 am
Yup. I agree with you. I find myself to be a lot more productive when I am on widescreen.
And over that, it gives you a feel like you are the overlord! You can watch it all! (Ok, I got carried away, but you get the point). :)
Rico
May 30, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Ha ha, don’t worry, I do! :)
Even though I talked about widescreen displays here, nothing beats TWO widescreen displays, I hope to work towards that…
Lazy Sunday Link Love
Apr 13, 2008 at 6:55 am
[…] I knew it! This old New York Times article confirms my feeling that wider displays equal better productivity. […]
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