Pros and Cons of Curved Monitors

Screens have come a long way from bulky boxy pixelated monitors to sleek and thin ultra-high-definition (UHD) formats. The latest way to revolutionize your work or gaming experience is by expanding your field of view with a curved monitor. To really reap the benefits of a curved monitor you’ll need one that is sizable, with plenty of room for multiple apps and window displays. If you’re considering switching from a flat to a curved screen, here are some pros and cons that may help you decide.

Pro: Fewer Reflections

Curved monitors are great to minimize glare and reflections. As with any screen, you can still experience glare if it is not positioned correctly, but once it is in the right spot, the reflection will be a lot less than with a flat-screen.

Pro: Wider Field of View

While flat screens only offer a view straight ahead, curved screens mimic your field of view with a much wider angle and allow your peripherals to catch a glimpse of the display. With larger screens, you can avoid panning and more efficiently tackle design elements in a single display.

Pro: Immersive Gaming

Although 3D gaming offers a truly immersive experience it is often accompanied by headaches. Using a curved monitor can offer increased depth without the headaches caused by 3D displays. Gaming feels more immersive and realistic with a curved monitor than it ever would with a flat screen.

Con: Price

To truly experience the immersive quality of a curved monitor you need a screen that is at least 30 inches wide. Smaller screens won’t have the same impact. Besides the size of the screen affecting the price, curved monitors are generally more expensive than flat screens. These factors can make adding a curved monitor a pricey addition to your office.

Con: Mounting

Although you could mount a curved monitor onto a wall, it doesn’t have quite the same appeal as mounting a flat monitor. Since the screen won’t sit flush with the wall it can look more obtrusive than integrative.

Con: Viewer Positioning

Curved monitors are most effective when you are positioned in the center of the screen. Sitting off-center can make objects look distorted. If you are looking to install a curved monitor make sure your desk can accommodate its positioning to be center-aligned with the user.

Who Should Use a Curved Monitor?

There’s no limit to who can benefit from a curved monitor but there are a few industry professionals who will especially notice the difference. Engineers, graphic designers, and photographers who spend a lot of time in front of their screens focusing on details may find the money spent on a curved monitor well worth the investment. Since the display is also fairly large it can be handy for anyone who works with a number of apps or windows simultaneously. Of course, if you’re a serious gamer, this is definitely a step up from a flat screen.

Regardless of whether you’re installing the screen at home or the office, a curved monitor can provide you with a more immersive digital experience which can make long hours in front of the screen more interesting and a little more fun.