Ultrawide monitors are becoming increasingly popular due to the impressive amount of screen space they grant you. However, with all this screen space, people with more than one computer may wonder if it’s possible to simultaneously get both of your computers on the same monitor. Thankfully, this is entirely possible, but how do you do it?
To have two displays on an ultrawide monitor, plug both computers into the HDMI slots, then in the monitor’s hardware settings, change the input setting from “Single Input” to “PBP” (Picture By Picture mode). If the monitor has this feature, this will display the two computers side-by-side.
Using PBP will allow anyone to get work done more efficiently, as you don’t have to waste time constantly changing inputs between your two computers. Now, let’s go through the ultrawide monitor in more detail to help you get work done faster.
What is the Purpose of an Ultrawide Monitor?
An ultrawide monitor’s primary purpose is to grant the user more screen space, allowing you to have more things on your screen at once or even bigger things on your screen.
Typically a standard computer monitor has a ratio of 16:9 (pronounced 16 by 9). The 16 represents the screen’s width (not including any plastic trim around the screen), and the 9 represents the screen’s height (once again, not including the trim).
This does not mean the standard monitor is necessarily 16 inches wide and 9 inches tall. It just means the standard monitor’s dimensions should always have a ratio that can be simplified to 16:9.
For example, if you have a monitor that is 32 inches wide and 18 inches tall, dividing both by 2 gets you a ratio of 16:9.
While a standard monitor sticks to this 16:9 ratio, an ultrawide monitor has a ratio of 21:9. As you likely noticed, the 9 stays consistent between the two monitors. This is due to the fact an Ultrawide monitor does not increase the verticality of your screen.
Switching to an ultrawide monitor gives you about 33% more screen space. This can be extremely helpful for people in office work, as it allows you to open more things on your screen simultaneously.
Who is an Ultrawide Monitor for?
Ultrawide monitors are perfect for pretty much anyone who owns a computer. This includes casual home users, professional designers, and even hardcore gamers.
Casual Home Users
For casual home users, an ultrawide monitor can provide a more immersive and enjoyable experience when watching movies, browsing the web, or working on everyday tasks.
The wider screen allows more content to be displayed at once, making it easier to multitask and see more of your work. Additionally, the increased screen real estate can make it easier to see details in images and video, providing a more engaging and enjoyable viewing experience.
Professional Designers
For professional designers, ultrawide monitors can be a valuable tool for increasing productivity and improving the quality of their work.
The wider screen allows designers to see more of their work at once, making it easier to see the big picture and spot potential issues.
Additionally, the increased screen space makes working with multiple applications and tools easier, allowing designers to switch quickly between different programs and work more efficiently.
Gamers
For gamers, ultrawide monitors can provide an immersive and exciting gaming experience. In addition, the wider screen can give gamers a more expansive view of their game world, providing a more realistic and engaging experience.
Additionally, this larger screen can make it easier to see more of the action at once, allowing gamers to react more quickly and make better decisions.
Can I Hook Up Two Separate Computers to My Ultrawide Monitor?
Yes, it is possible to connect two separate computers to an ultrawide monitor. This can be useful if you want to have two different workstations or if you want to be able to switch between computers easily.
To connect two computers to an ultrawide monitor, you will need a monitor with at least two video input ports, such as HDMI or DisplayPort. You will also need two cables to connect the computers to the monitor, one for each computer.
Most ultrawide monitors come with one or more of these cables included in the box, but you may need to purchase additional cables if they are not included.
Once you have the necessary cables and connections, you will need to set up the computers and the monitor.
- Start by turning off both computers and the monitor.
- Then, connect one of the computers to the monitor using the appropriate cable.
- Next, turn on the first computer and the monitor, and adjust the display settings on the computer to make sure that the image on the monitor is clear and properly aligned.
- Once the first computer is set up, repeat the process for the second computer. Connect the second computer to the monitor using the second cable, and turn on the computer and the monitor. Adjust the display settings on the second computer to ensure that the monitor’s image is clear and properly aligned.
- Once both computers are set up and connected to the monitor, you need to open the Display menu and open Settings.
- Here, you must select Input and change your input settings from Single Input to PBP or Picture By Picture mode. This will make your two computers split the screen on your ultrawide monitor.
Do They Both Have to be Laptops or Desktop Computers?
No, it does not matter what kind of computer you use with your ultrawide monitor. You can use a laptop with your ultrawide monitor, two desktops, or even one of each, and the monitor will still work perfectly fine.
The main thing that will determine whether your computer can be used with an ultrawide monitor is not whether or not the device is portable but rather the computer’s graphics card.
To use an ultrawide monitor, you will need a graphics card capable of supporting the monitor’s resolution and refresh rate.
When choosing a graphics card for an ultrawide monitor, you should consider what you are trying to use your ultrawide monitor for.
Gaming
For example, if you want to play high-end games at a resolution of 2560×1080, you will need a powerful graphics card such as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT.
These cards have the horsepower to handle demanding games at high settings, and they will provide smooth and detailed visuals on your ultrawide monitor.
Working
You may not need a high-end graphics card if you plan to use your ultrawide monitor for productivity tasks such as multitasking or working with multiple windows.
In this case, a mid-range card such as an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT would be sufficient. These cards can drive an ultrawide monitor at resolutions up to 2560×1080, providing smooth performance for everyday tasks.
Checking the Specs
When shopping for a graphics card for your ultrawide monitor, check the card’s specifications to ensure it is compatible with your monitor.
Many graphics cards will have a list of supported resolutions and refresh rates, so you can easily see if the card is capable of driving your ultrawide monitor at the settings you want.
Are All Ultrawide Monitors Capable of Split-Screening Multiple Computers?
The ability to split-screen multiple computers on an ultrawide monitor depends on the monitor’s capabilities and available video inputs. Some ultrawide monitors are designed with multiple video inputs, allowing multiple computers to be connected to the monitor at the same time.
Monitors with multiple video inputs often have a built-in feature called Picture-by-Picture (PBP) or Picture-in-Picture (PIP), which allows users to split the screen into multiple sections and display the output from each computer in a separate section.
Unfortunately, not all ultrawide monitors have multiple video inputs. Some ultrawide monitors only have a single video input, which means they can only display the output from one computer at a time. In this case, the monitor would not be capable of split-screening multiple computers.
In addition to the video inputs available on the monitor, the ability to split-screen multiple computers can also depend on the operating system and software used on the computers.
Some operating systems and software have built-in support for split-screening multiple computers on a single monitor, while others may require third-party software to enable this functionality.
Troubleshooting Tips
When it comes to troubleshooting an ultrawide monitor, there are a few standard steps you can follow to try to resolve any issues you may be experiencing:
Check the Connections
First, check the connections between your monitor and your computer. Make sure the cables are securely plugged in and not damaged. If you’re using a DisplayPort or HDMI cable, try switching to a different cable or port to see if that fixes the issue.
Check Graphics Card Settings
Next, check your graphics card settings. If you’re experiencing issues with the display on your monitor, your graphics card settings may not be correctly configured.
Open the graphics card control panel and ensure the settings are set to the recommended values for your ultrawide monitor.
Update Your Graphics Driver
If you’re still having issues, try updating your graphics driver. Outdated drivers can cause a variety of problems, including issues with your monitor.
Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer and download the latest driver for your model.
Reset Your Monitor
After you’ve tried that, try resetting your monitor to its default settings. Most monitors have a reset option in their on-screen display (OSD) menu. However, this can sometimes resolve issues with the display.
Contact the Manufacturer
If none of these steps have helped, your monitor may have a hardware issue. In this case, it’s best to contact the manufacturer for assistance or consider getting a replacement.