The monitor, in a computer, is extremely important to be able to use the system. For some time now, monitors that have a certain curvature have begun to be marketed. But, in curved monitors , what are the typical curvatures and what are their differences?
What curved monitors seek to offer the user is better visual ergonomics. Primarily, this technology is implemented in Ultrawide or widescreen monitors with a 21:9 ratio. These monitors, being more elongated than a conventional one, the corners are further from the eyes, so the curvature is necessary for better ergonomics.
Monitor curvature radius
It is the resulting radius , in millimeters , composed by multiples of that monitor. The distance from the center of the circle to the side edges of the monitor is measured. In other words, we could generate a circle with that monitor model with a given radius in millimeters.
But the radius of curvature of the monitor gives us another important fact to take into account. It tells us the distance at which we should be from the monitor if we look at it from the front, in an optimal degree.
The higher the value , the less noticeable the curvature will be . Thus, a monitor with a 1800R curve will have a more “subtle” curvature than one that is 1000R.
Standardized Curvature Types in Monitors
Manufacturing curved panels is more complicated than simply producing conventional flat panels. Currently, there are several standardized curvatures on the market, some being more common and others quite rarer to see. Let’s talk a little about all of them and see what they offer or what they are like:
- 1000R: Refers to a radius of 1 meter (1000 mm) from the center of the circle. This is the closest to our field of vision, offering the best viewing experience . Above all, it is common on widescreen gaming monitors with a 16:9 ratio.
- 1500R: It tells us that it has a radius of 1.5 meters (1500 mm) with respect to the center of the circle. The curvature is significantly reduced compared to the previous model. It is usually present on monitors with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 21:9
- 1800R: The radius is slightly enlarged, being 1.8 meters (1800mm) with respect to the center of the circle. Again, the curvature of the monitor is reduced. This is typical monitor curvature on 32:9 aspect ratio ultrawides
- 1900R: Here the radius becomes 1.9 meters (1900 mm ) with respect to the center of the circle. It is quite rare to see monitors with this curvature, since it is practically the same as the 1800R
- 2300R: We pass to a radius of 2.3 meters (2300 mm) with respect to the center of the circle. This curvature can be found, above all, in work monitors , being rare in gaming monitors. Note that, in general, it is an unusual curvature
- 3800R : We have a radius of 3.8 meters (3800 mm) with respect to the center of the circle. Here there is hardly any difference with flat monitors , the curvature being extremely subtle. It is quite rare to see monitors with this type of curvature because of how little it contributes
1000R curved monitors, ideal for gaming
If we are going to spend many hours in front of the screen playing, this is the perfect curvature to obtain the best gaming experience. They have the following advantages:
- It is the most similar to the human field of vision , therefore, all points on the screen are at the same distance from the eye.
- They allow us to concentrate better on what is happening on the screen
- Offers an increase in realism in simulation games such as Forza Horizon 4, F1 2022 or Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Reduces strain on the eyes and neck , since it is not necessary to move the head from one edge to the other
Main strengths of these monitors
It is important to know the strengths of these curved monitors compared to conventional flat monitors. These are:
- More immersive: They offer a much more immersive experience than flat screens. They allow us to concentrate better at work, multimedia content or games. It is done by using ocular perception concepts to offer enhanced vision.
- Reduced Distortion: Enlarging a document or image often results in a little graininess or distortion at the edges of flat screen displays. This annoying effect is significantly reduced on curved monitors, especially on wide images.
- Eye fatigue: Allows the eye to see the entire screen without effort . We have, in this case, a more comfortable and organic viewing experience.
- They are usually light: It may seem illogical to you, but a curved panel can be up to three kilos lighter than a flat one . It is not something that matters on a day-to-day basis, but it can be very important if we go to many events.
- Ideal for multitasking: Curved screens are usually Ultrawide, allowing us to replace our old screens with a single solution. To work with documents, software and so on, getting more real space and making it more comfortable is very important.
But it’s not all positive things
We have seen the positive aspects of widescreen monitors and now it is time to see their weaknesses. As is often the case in computing, some things are great and some things are bad. Let’s see what are the most negative aspects of these monitors:
- Price: Without a doubt, the main defect of these monitors is the cost for the user. Currently, they have quite high prices and the reason is that it is a very new technology, which has not been on the market for long. Over time, the prices of this type of monitors will normalize.
- Neck strain: Curved monitors are usually with a 21:9 and 32:9 ratio , usually. This causes more distance between the edges of the screen and forces the neck to rotate a little more to see the entire screen
- Mounting: Due to its shape, it is more difficult to mount it on the wall. Normally, these curved monitors require specific supports and certain positions for proper placement.
- Reflections: Occasionally, as the monitor is curved, it can cause direct light to bounce back into your eyes . This is solved by installing the monitor in such a way that it does not happen, whenever possible
Best curved monitors
We wanted to make a small selection of curved monitors in case you want to buy one. Here are some of the monitors that we would buy for their features and benefits.
Samsung LC27G53TQWRXEN
This Samsung monitor is characterized by using a VA-type panel with a 1440p (WQHD) resolution. This monitor offers us a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz with support for AMD FreeSync Premium technology. It has a 1000R curvature , which is ideal for video game fans who want to concentrate on the game.
About connectivity, this monitor has a DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 and a headphone jack.
Xiaomi Mi Curved 34″ GL
You may be looking for a bigger monitor to enjoy your favorite games. This Xiaomi is characterized by having an IPS-type panel with a resolution of 3440 × 1440 pixels in a 21: 9 ratio. We are talking about an ultra-wide monitor which offers support for a 144 Hz refresh rate with support for AMD FreeSync and a 4 ms response time.
This monitor has a 1500R curvature , which is a hybrid solution for both gaming and work. On the other hand, this monitor has two HDMI 2.0, two DisplayPort 1.4 and a headphone jack.
BenQ MOBIUZ EX3410R
We are now going with a solution of higher quality and benefits than the previous model, but similar in characteristics. This BenQ monitor has a VA-type panel that offers us a resolution of 3440 × 1440 pixels . This monitor offers us a refresh rate of 144 Hz with AMD FreeSync Premium and a response time of 5 ms. This monitor has a 1000R curvature , which is perfect for gaming.
This monitor integrates two HDMI 2.0, a DisplayPort 1.4 and two USB 3.0, it also has a USB-B necessary to connect it to the computer and be able to transfer data with it.
