Splitting your ultrawide monitor is one of the best ways to boost productivity. It enables you to multitask much more efficiently, saving you time and effort as you survey more than one application at a time. So, how exactly do you split your ultrawide screen for better multitasking?
The first step for splitting your ultrawide screen is to connect the systems using the right cables. Then enable Picture-by-Picture mode and configure the display settings. Not all ultrawides have dual-input functionality, though, and you won’t be able to drag-and-drop or copy/paste across them.
Setting up an ultrawide display gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to computing. Let’s take a closer look at the potential benefits of an ultrawide monitor as well as some of the best ultrawide monitor options on the market.
How To Split Your Ultrawide Screen For Better Multitasking
You can split your ultrawide monitor into separate screens. Doing this allows you to multitask easily. You can play a game on one side of the screen and perform another task, like photo editing, on the other.
Splitting an ultrawide monitor into two systems is possible using the Picture-by-Picture (Pbp) feature, which is available on most brands. This mode allows you to separate the screen into two parts based on your set display resolution.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to split your ultrawide screen into separate monitors:
Step 1: Connect Different Systems
You must first connect your systems to the ultrawide monitor using the right cables and adapters. You can use HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, or USB-C cables for display. To connect them:
- Get suitable cables for your systems and the monitor.
- Connect one end of the cable to the input port of your ultrawide monitor and the other to the output port of the system you’re trying to display — either a computer or console.
- Take another cable and redo the same process with the second system.
Step 2: Enable Picture-By-Picture Mode
After you connect both of your systems to the ultrawide monitor, your next step is enabling the Picture-by-Picture or Picture-in-Picture mode. You can achieve this by using the display menu on your monitor. Here’s how:
- Press the “Menu” button, which is usually at the bottom part of the monitor.
- When the menu appears, go to the “PIP/PBP” option.
- Select PIP/PBP Mode and turn it on if it isn’t.
- Adjust the aspect ratio to your liking or as per availability. Select the right display option based on the cable you’ve used.
- Wait a few moments as your monitor splits the screen into two separate displays.
Step 3: Configure the Display Settings
Despite your ultrawide monitor splitting into two sections, you may still be unsatisfied with the screen configuration. You might notice that the resolution of your secondary system doesn’t sync with the monitor and displays black empty spaces around it, or that the display breaks off at the edges.
To properly configure the display settings on a PC:
- Press “Windows+I” to open the Settings app on your secondary system.
- Navigate to “System” and select “Display.“
- Go to “Scale and Layout,” expand the “Display resolution” drop-down menu, and set a higher resolution that your ultrawide monitor can support.
- Your display should turn black and conform to your recent changes. Press “Keep Changes” to save the configuration.
- If your second display still doesn’t sync, adjust the display resolution until you’re finally satisfied.
If you’re using a Mac instead, simply go to the Apple Menu and then choose “System Preferences.” From there, choose the “Displays” option and then “Display Settings…” From there, you’ll be able to adjust the resolution of your screens as needed.
Alternatively, you can use third-party software to split your ultrawide monitor into separate screens and manage them efficiently.
On a Windows system, you can use PowerToys, DisplayFusion, and UltraWideo. For Mac users, try BetterSnaptool.
Potential Drawbacks
Say you do run two inputs into your ultrawide screen – just be prepared for it to not work exactly as your brain is expecting it too. For starters, unless you have software on both machines managing one set of peripherals, you’ll need 2 sets of mice and keyboards to interact with the machines.
You probably won’t be able to drag-and-drop from one side of the ultrawide to the other, because it’s two different machines, and copy/paste across them won’t work. There is software to manage this, but, again, it’s not going to happen automagically.
However, these limitations can be managed, and maybe you’re planning to connect up a TV or game console to the other side and not have two computers hooked up at all.
What Are the Benefits of an Ultrawide Monitor?
Ultrawide monitors are relatively pricey, but this hasn’t preventing them from becoming a popular addition to many computing setups. Here are a few of the primary benefits of these monitors:
They Offer an Immersive Gaming Experience
Ultrawide curved gaming monitors enable you to see everything on the screen without turning your head, enabling you to be better immersed in the game.
They’re Ideal for Watching Movies
Ultrawide monitors provide a more space and a better shape for viewing movies.
Most movies have a 21:9 aspect ratio, so you have to adjust the aspect ratio on most standard screens, or you end up with black bars. With an ultrawide monitor, you won’t need to make those adjustments.
They’re Easier to Use
Compared to dual-monitor setups, ultrawide monitors are more straightforward and effortless to use. For example, you don’t have to deal with any bezels in the setup, and you can have more organization using screen-dividing software.
They Offer More Screen Space
Ultrawide monitors give you 33% more screen space for your work window. This is especially handy for those who frequently work with huge Excel files.
The large screen space is also useful in graphic design and image editing, as you can see more of your project at one time. You can use multiple work fields and lay out all your tools next to your work field as well.
They Allow for Multitasking
Many ultrawide monitors come with split screen software that enables you to divide your screen into multiple panes that you can use at once. That way, you can work on several things simultaneously without having to switch between them constantly.
Who Are Ultrawide Monitors For?
Manufacturers designed ultrawide monitors to offer improved productivity for certain users, including:
Photographers and Video Editors
A dual-monitor setup isn’t the best way to go if you’re a photographer or video editor, for a few reasons. Firstly, the margins of individual monitors may cause inconsistencies in your output.
Photo editing programs also require a lot of horizontal space that multi-monitor setups can’t offer. You’ll get that horizontal space with an ultrawide monitor without the bezel breaking up the display.
Moreover, an ultrawide monitor provides color consistency and accuracy, an essential aspect of photography and video editing.
Programmers
Modern programmers and coders opt for ultrawide monitors because of their extra display space, which helps improve the programming workflow.
Gamers
Ultrawide monitors benefit gamers because they offer a wider field of vision. This gives gamers the upper hand in grand strategy and shooter games, since they can see more easily during the game and quickly spot opponents approaching.
What Are Some of the Best Ultrawide Monitors on the Market?
The following are some of the best ultrawide monitors available on the market that suit different budgets and uses, including creative work, gaming, and general productivity:
Best Overall Ultrawide Monitor: LG 38WN95C-W
The LG 38WN95C-W (on Amazon) is a versatile monitor with exceptional overall performance. Whether you’re a gamer, a photo editor, or simply need a bigger monitor for everyday office use, it’s a great option.
This ultrawide monitor has a huge 38-inch screen and a 3840×1600 resolution that yields sharp images and superb text clarity. The extra screen space is also useful if you need to open several windows at the same time or want an immersive viewing experience.
Best Budget Ultrawide Monitor: AOC CU34G2X
The AOC CU34G2X (on Amazon) is an excellent budget-friendly monitor because it’s versatile and doesn’t cost a fortune. While it doesn’t offer the same office-oriented features and good picture quality as the LG 38WN95C-W, it still does a pretty great job.
Regardless of its budget price, the AOC monitor has better ergonomics than most ultrawide monitors. You can rotate, tilt, and adjust the height, which is ideal if you like readjusting the display to suit your needs at different times.
Best Ultrawide Gaming Monitor: Dell Alienware AW3423DW
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (on Amazon) is the best choice if you’re looking for an ultrawide monitor dedicated to gaming. It displays a wide range of colors, so its general picture quality is outstanding, especially for dark room gaming. Its response time is also near-instantaneous, making motion look smooth without any blur.
Additionally, it has low input lag for a responsive gaming experience, and if you play HDR games, it brightens up enough to make the tiniest of highlights pop.
How to Troubleshoot Your Ultrawide Monitor
The most common ultrawide monitor problems include the monitor not turning on, a blank screen, a blurry image, or the wrong image size. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting techniques for these issues.
Restart the Monitor
For most electronics, trying a restart is always a good starting point for troubleshooting a problem. If you’re experiencing issues with your ultrawide monitor, turn it off and back on again.
Most monitors have a power indicator light that lights up when it’s on. If the light doesn’t turn on after pressing the Power button, your ultrawide monitor might be dead, or it isn’t receiving power.
Check All Your Connections
Ensure that the electrical cable and the cables connecting your monitor to your other devices are securely in place. The simplest way is to unplug your display devices from the monitor and power source, then re-secure the cords tightly in the correct input ports.
Inspect for Physical Damages
Performance issues may occur if there’s damage to the display cables or the monitor. The monitor may show signs such as not turning on, working intermittently, colors being mismatched, flickering, or displaying vertical or horizontal lines.
When inspecting the cables, check for fraying or cuts in the wire. Extend the inspection to the corresponding input ports to ensure they aren’t loose or damaged. If there’s any physical damage, your warranty should cover it.
Adjust the Display Settings
Display settings like resolution, brightness, refresh rate, and power management may affect your monitor’s performance. Adjusting the display settings could help resolve most video issues.