Back in 2015, I posted a review of my Dell 34″ curved LCD computer monitor. It changed the way I work.
Before buying that 34″ widescreen monitor, I worked with (2) monitors, arranged side by side. Two monitors did a lot to improve my efficiency and workflow. Being able to work on something and look at something else is a great boon to productivity.
With most monitors, big or small, there isn’t room for more than one main “focus.” So I had to have two monitors.
On my previous 27″ display, I had to bump up the text size in browser windows. So while it offered huge resolution and lots of space, increasing text sizing all but erased the size benefit compared to working with smaller monitors. Everything was larger, but I didn’t have much screen “real estate.”
I’ve been using dual monitors for well over a decade before I tried something different – a single ultra-wide 34″ monitor.
I still have my dual monitor arms, and my older LCDs, which I use from time to time for special purposes (such as during the solar eclipse).
But for at least 2-1/2 years, I’ve been a 1-monitor user.
A wide 34″ monitor allows me to work in ways no other monitor has before. I can have 2 program windows side by side, and be able to work seemlessly. And it’s a lot easier than having to drag a mouse and turn my head to work with 2 “regular” displays.
Since that review, I purchased another Dell 34″ ultra-wide monitor, the one with the more pronounced curvature. I do find that I like the deeper curve a little better. I use that other monitor with my laptop sometimes, and will soon pair it with an older PC.
I hadn’t even realized that these monitors were on sale. Tom wrote in (thank you!) about a deal:
I bought this monitor on your recommendation last year. Haven’t seen it anywhere near this cheap ever. I think that I paid $700.
There are two versions:
- 3800R: shallow curvature (original)
- 1900R: deeper curvature (newer)
Sale Pricing: $500 for 3800R, $700 for 1900R
The 3800R pricing looks to be a Cyber Monday deal of the day.
I paid $992 for the 3800R, back in March 2015, and $730 for the 1900R in March 2017 after watching it for many months.
Both are excellent displays, but I tend to prefer the 1900R. They both have 21:9 ratios and 3440 x 1440 px resolution, They have built-in speakers, but the quality isn’t anything to write home about. The stand is excellent, and I’ve never been wanting for any additional connection ports.
Wimpy video cards might not be able to keep up with the display – just something to keep in mind. I use a DisplayPort connection.
$700 for the newer one is a very good price. $500 for the original is pretty crazy. The 3800R for $500 appears to be a Deal of the Day that expires at 3am ET 11/28/17, unless supplies sell out sooner.
Buy Now(Shallow curve version, via Amazon)
Buy Now(Deeper curve version, via Amazon)
Now, if you excuse me, I’m going to call my wife to see if she’s ready to upgrade her teeny tiny monitor to one of these. Maybe I should have done that first.