1440p 16:9 or 1080p ultrawide?

[JESUSARIUS REX]

Hey everyone,

 

I'm currently looking to buy two new monitors, to replace my 1080p ones I just sold. I'm mainly focused on gaming, light video and photo editing, and general productivity. I am having trouble deciding between ~24" 1440p 16:9 or a ~29" 2560x1080 ultrawide, I'm also wondering if buying used monitors would be a good idea, since my budget right now is around $250. I could buy a single monitor now, and another later, but buying both at once at my current budget would be nice. I'd also prefer IPS, with 5ms response time or lower. 60hz is fine, and I don't really want to pay for G-sync or Freesync, because I don't know if I'm going to sell my R9 290 or not.

 

I am currently looking at for 1440p:

 

Lenovo - L24q-20, which goes on sale new for about $160, and is about $110-$120 on ebay. This is probably my top pick right now.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-l24q-20-23-8-ips-led-qhd-monitor-silver/5747424.p?skuId=5747424

 

Acer G247HYU, which also goes on sale for sub $200 I think, but is not common to find used.

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-G247HYU-smidp-23-8-inch-Monitor/dp/B01N1J0B3Q/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1518665303&sr=1-6&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin%3A6570749011%2Cp_36%3A-25000

 

For 21:9, here's a monitors I was looking at:

 

LG Electronics 29UB55-B

https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-29UB55-B-29-Inch-Monitor/dp/B00R59ETB0/ref=sr_1_13?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1518665672&sr=1-13&keywords=ultrawide&refinements=p_n_size_browse-bin%3A3547807011

 

I guess I'm wondering, if anyone has used similar monitors from both categories, and had a similar use case, which did you prefer and why? Also, what's your experience buying used monitors on ebay? Obviously if i got the ultra wide I wouldn't be able to afford two, but the screen real estate helps. If anyone has any alternative monitors, feel free to suggest them. I have crappy monitors I'm using right now, so I'm not in a rush and am willing to wait for sales etc.

 

Here is my old monitors for reference:

https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E16824236335?ignorebbr=true&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-Mobile&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-Mobile-_-pla-_-Monitors+-+LCD+Flat+Panel-_-N82E16824236335&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2Y_UBRCGARIsALglqQ2zZbzLfQ0dmTZhdGdqGp8SznUqPFl94PkfOZ3tnSlUFdU4v6FUnjgaAmRyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

thanks for your input!

[Crunchy Dragon]

What kind of productivity? I do a fair bit of light productivity but nothing that needs more than 27" of screen estate. If you're editing videos or something like that, an ultrawide would be the way to go.

 

If you want a good middle ground(of sorts), I really like the Dell SE2717HR(despite being a Freesync display), but it is a 1920x1080 IPS panel. Although it does have a 6ms response time.

[JESUSARIUS REX]

7 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

What kind of productivity? I do a fair bit of light productivity but nothing that needs more than 27" of screen estate. If you're editing videos or something like that, an ultrawide would be the way to go.

 

If you want a good middle ground(of sorts), I really like the Dell SE2717HR(despite being a Freesync display), but it is a 1920x1080 IPS panel. Although it does have a 6ms response time.

Thanks for the input. I mainly do school work and like to have multiple windows open for homework etc. Also, I used to have two ASUS VN248H-Ps, so that monitor is basically a downgrade not including freesync. I definitely want to go ultrawide or 1440p. I also want to stay in the 24" to 25" in area for 16:9.

[Crunchy Dragon]

1 minute ago, JESUSARIUS REX said:

Thanks for the input. I mainly do school work and like to have multiple windows open for homework etc. Also, I used to have two ASUS VN248H-Ps, so that monitor is basically a downgrade not including freesync. I definitely want to go ultrawide or 1440p. I also want to stay in the 24" to 25" in area for 16:9.

If you'll make better use of an ultrawide rather than 1440p, I would recommend going that route.

[ARikozuM]

Ultrawide, all the way, unless you need to edit photos in resolution higher than 1080. 

[JESUSARIUS REX]

49 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

Ultrawide, all the way, unless you need to edit photos in resolution higher than 1080. 

I like to do light video/photo editing too, so maybe 1440p might be better. I wish I could afford two 3440x1440 monitors to get the best of both.

[ARikozuM]

Just now, JESUSARIUS REX said:

I like to do light video/photo editing too, so maybe 1440p might be better. I wish I could afford two 3440x1440 monitors to get the best of both.

You mentioned you were in school, I would suggest going for the ultrawide as it'll help with schoolwork.