I Regret Buying an Ultrawide Monitor (as a programmer)

Summary

In this video, the creator reviews the LG Ultra Gear 49-inch ultrawide monitor, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses for productivity and gaming. While the monitor offers impressive specs, including a 5120x1440 resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, and great color accuracy, the reviewer found that it didn’t significantly boost productivity, especially for its $1,600 price tag. Compatibility issues with MacBooks and the monitor’s sheer size were noted downsides. However, for gaming and immersive experiences, the monitor excels. Ultimately, the reviewer suggests that alternative setups might offer better value for productivity-focused users.

Takeaways

• 💰 The speaker spent $1,600 on a 49-inch LG UltraGear monitor and shares their honest review.
• 📏 With a 5120x1440 resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate, the monitor offers extensive screen real estate and smooth performance.
• 😕 The speaker finds issues with window management due to the large resolution, as the split-screen setup feels either too small or too large.
• 🔌 Connecting the monitor to a MacBook over HDMI results in limited resolution options, making it blurry; a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter is recommended for better performance.
• 💪 The monitor is quite heavy, weighing over 32 pounds with the stand, which is very sturdy but takes up a lot of desk space.
• 🤨 Although the speaker finds the monitor expensive, they mention there are now cheaper alternatives with similar features, like the Samsung G9.
• 🎮 The monitor's gaming aesthetics aren't appealing to the speaker, who considers it unnecessary for their productivity needs.
• 💼 Despite being marketed as a productivity booster, the speaker doesn't find it significantly more beneficial for productivity than using two separate monitors.
• 📺 Picture-by-picture mode is a standout feature, allowing simultaneous inputs from multiple devices, which is useful for multitasking.
• 🏆 While the monitor is great for immersive gaming, the speaker recommends it primarily for gamers rather than productivity-focused users.

Q & A

What monitor is being reviewed in the video?

The monitor being reviewed is the LG UltraGear 49-inch monitor, with a resolution of 5120 x 1440, a 240Hz refresh rate, AMD Adaptive Sync, and HDR 1000.

What is the primary use case of the monitor according to the reviewer?

The reviewer primarily uses the monitor for productivity tasks such as software creation, video editing, motion graphics, and 3D rendering.

What are some of the issues mentioned by the reviewer when using the monitor with a MacBook?

When connected to a MacBook through HDMI, the monitor supports only 3840 x 1080 resolution at 120Hz or a full resolution at 60Hz, which looks blurry. The reviewer suggests using a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter for better compatibility.

What does the reviewer dislike about the monitor's resolution?

The reviewer finds the resolution of 5120 x 1440 too large, making windows either too small or too large when split into sections. This makes it difficult to use the screen efficiently for some tasks.

What did the reviewer find disappointing about the monitor's design and size?

The reviewer thinks the stand is too large and heavy, and the overall size of the monitor requires constant head movement, which can be uncomfortable and cause neck strain during long use.

What positive features does the reviewer mention about the monitor's performance?

The reviewer praises the monitor's picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes, as well as its high refresh rate of 240Hz, which significantly enhances productivity and response speed for coding.

Why does the reviewer recommend considering other monitors for productivity?

The reviewer believes that there are cheaper monitors available that provide similar or better features for productivity, such as dual monitors with better compatibility and similar screen real estate.

What is the reviewer's overall opinion on using the monitor for gaming?

The reviewer enjoys using the monitor for gaming, noting that the ultrawide display enhances the gaming experience by providing a more immersive environment, especially in games like Elden Ring.

How does the reviewer suggest setting up the monitor for productivity?

The reviewer suggests using grid layouts with tools like Microsoft PowerToys to organize windows efficiently, with setups like one large window in the center and smaller windows on the sides.

Would the reviewer recommend this monitor for gamers or productivity users?

The reviewer would recommend this monitor to gamers who have the budget and want a luxury gaming experience. However, for productivity users, the reviewer suggests that there are better, more cost-effective options available.