Widescreen monitor question

[smokey982]

I currently use a standard 19" LCD monitor (4x3). But would like to upgrade to a bigger widescreen monitor. But I use a small widescreen monitor at work and it basically just stretches everything which I do not like. I assume I'll get the same results at home with any widescreen monitor I buy? I guess if I don't want black bars down both sides of the screen, then stretching is the only option??

 

[diogen]

The computer - OS, video card and driver - must be able to handle the monitor.
Unless you run Linux (a very old version) or Windows 95/98, you shouldn't have problems driving a widescreen monitor with 1:1 pixel mapping.

If you are using a laptop and dock it at work - make sure it is off when docking.
Otherwise it tries to run the external monitor at the same resolution as its own screen (with clone setup).

Diogen.

 

[smokey982]

I think my work computer is running windows 2000. Maybe that's why the picture looks so bad. But my home computer Is running Vista, so it should look fine? I didn't know if I needed a PC with a HDMI output, or something similar.

 

[Nebugeater]

I have used a Wide screen monitor and from what I know the info above is good. If your video card and operating system support it there will be no issue.

Just wnated to toss out another though. I do not use a wide screen any more becasue I find that a dual monitor system is much more usefull. If you are watching a lot of video that is in wide screen format and you are watching it full screen then by all meens go for it but I di not use my PC for that. If you are just looking for more glass space a dual monitor setup some thought. You conn't get me to give up this setup for anything. Full screen use of two aplications at once. If I only really need one then I have outlook always up on one glass.

The only thing I wish I could do that I can't is with Excel. If you can run two full screens at once of excel I don't know how to do it. You can with Word and I use it and it makes it al lthe more frustrating that MS doesn't do the same with Excel.

 

[diogen]

...I find that a dual monitor system is much more usefull.

I think so, too. But the setup is more demanding.
The desktop has to have a video card capable of running two monitors independently.
The laptop needs a docking station with the same capabilities.

But on the other hand, you might get those two monitors for free since other people around upgrade to widescreen...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

But my home computer Is running Vista, so it should look fine?

Yes, it should.

I didn't know if I needed a PC with a HDMI output, or something similar.

VGA can handle widescreen just as well.

Diogen.

 

[navychop]

Smartest thing I ever did was move to a 24" widescreen monitor. I can see two reports side by side, something that greatly simplifies my work. I can run wide spreadsheets. I can copy and paste between two or more open windows.

FWIW, I bought an ASUS VW246H for use at the office. And then bought one for a coworker. Then one for my wife. Then another one for my home machine.

Your video card s/w should give you appropriate options for driving a widescreen with no stretch. Most will auto detect now anyway, and set themselves up. Mine runs at 1920x1080. 32 bit color, 60Hz (of course). ATI Radeon HD4600 card.

 

[meStevo]

I'd try and change the resolution at work if things appear stretched.

Otherwise, you'll have to pry my 24" Dell out of my cold dead hands, I've had this thing for 5 years and will never go back.

That and the 19" next to it give me the best of both worlds, I <3 dual monitors too.

 

[Ramy]

I have been thinking about getting a new widescreen monitor for the same reason navychop did, just so I can put stuff side by side without having to buy 2 monitors.

 

[vodad]

I say go for dual widescreens. I have 2 24" widescreens that I run.

Right now I am running 2 Acer P243W screens for the desktop, and on the other leg of the desk I have an 18" laptop(HP mobile workstation) with an acer H243H monitor to run it in dual mode. Only downside is as the day goes on, I have to turn the air down or it gets hot in here. When the boss asks what I am doing through the day, I always tell him I am working on my sun tan.