AOC Q2963PM Monitor Review: 2560x1080 Is A New Way To Play

[ceberle]

2560x1080 is an unusual resolution for a computer monitor. Does it change the way we work? We spent some time with AOC's new Q2963PM to find out. With some unique features on-board, we're more than curious to see what makes this radical new display tick.

AOC Q2963PM Monitor Review: 2560x1080 Is A New Way To Play : Read more

 

[Simos Kozanidis]

Does it tilt?
Having 2 in chain of those, tilted on the side, would be very nice for productivity apps, like coding, etc.

 

[eddieroolz]

Good to see 21:9 monitors come down in price. I don't ever watch movies so the width is no use for me, though what I'd like to see in the future is a vertical VESA mount to stack 2 of these monitors in the vertical orientation. That would result in a 2560x2160 resolution that would be great for productivity purposes.

 

[cobra5000]

If only it was 21:10.

 

[giovanni86]

I'm actually in the market for the LG 21:9 primarily for gaming. Though i was disappointed that the veritcal length is smaller then others. Its still a very nice display. Looking forward to buying it and playing BF4 on it

 

[christop]

I would like to try gaming with 3.

 

[ubercake]

Seems like a good choice for an RTS/MMORPGer. The input lag of the IPS panel is still going to keep me away from using something like this for shooters.

 

[vertexx]

With the multiple sources, does it force a 50-50 split or is that adjustable?

I currently run two PCs for my daily work and could probably use something like this. Two 1080p monitors side by side is too much back and forth, so this may be a good solution. But I'd want to be able to adjust the split between the sources if needed.

Thanks!

 

[cknobman]

I know no one wants to hear this and I will be instantly down voted but this resolution seems ideal for Windows 8 Metro/Modern interface.

Everything in Windows 8 Metro/Modern is designed for horizontal screen orientation vs. vertical.

Besides that point this monitor seems like a great piece of hardware for the money. Nice review!

 

[major-error]

Good to see 21:9 monitors come down in price. I don't ever watch movies so the width is no use for me, though what I'd like to see in the future is a vertical VESA mount to stack 2 of these monitors in the vertical orientation. That would result in a 2560x2160 resolution that would be great for productivity purposes.

What you're looking for comes from Ergotron: http://www.ergotron.com/ProductsDetails/tabid/65/PRDID/15/language/en-US/Default.aspx
I have this stand holding up a pair of Dell U2412M displays. My only real concern when hanging displays on this stand is the panel weight, although I bet the bottom-mounted of a pair of 27" 16:9 displays would end up touching the desk...

 

[nekromobo]

You totally forgot to compare it to Dell U2913WM for little more there's 3years NBD warranty etc.. not to mention how does it compare picture-wise? Probably same panel used on both.

 

[InvalidError]

what I'd like to see in the future is a vertical VESA mount to stack 2 of these monitors in the vertical orientation. That would result in a 2560x2160 resolution that would be great for productivity purposes.

1080 lines is too little for (advanced) productivity IMO.

For things like programming and browsing, I would be much happier with 2560x1600 on a 24" screen in portrait mode + 1920x1200 on a 20-24" landscape secondary display than 2x 2560x1080 29" in landscape.

 

[clonazepam]

The only thing we're missing here is some youtube video goodness of someone "cam-ing" this thing in use. Like switching modes between single source and 2. How quickly does it switch between modes?

As far as gaming goes, I'd never opt for this. As has been mentioned, the input lag may be irritating for some. Also, would you have to tweak a game's field of view setting, if it has one, to make the most of it?

 

[Charles Cox]

Any idea how this compares to the Dell UltraSharp U2913WM? I'm actually finding it quite difficult to find accurate comparisons between them, especially with regards to input lag.

 

[dennisburke]

This is a great aspect ratio for watching movies or gaming, but the vertical height is about 2 inches less than my current 27" 1080p monitor, which is a no go for productivity. To get the vertical height back up to my current 13.25 inches, the 21:9 monitor needs to be a minimum of 34 inches...I think that would be a sweet monitor.

 

[blackdragonx1186]

I own and use Dell's variant of the 21:9 monitor. For gaming, it is amazing. Although, there are a lot of games that don't fully support the resolution, so in certain menus things can be chopped or cropped wrong. Skyrim doesn't work at this res, but Oblivion does, which is interesting. Great aspect for what most of us will use them for; games, and movies.

 

[ubercake]

This is a great aspect ratio for watching movies or gaming, but the vertical height is about 2 inches less than my current 27" 1080p monitor, which is a no go for productivity. To get the vertical height back up to my current 13.25 inches, the 21:9 monitor needs to be a minimum of 34 inches...I think that would be a sweet monitor.

I own and use Dell's variant of the 21:9 monitor. For gaming, it is amazing. Although, there are a lot of games that don't fully support the resolution, so in certain menus things can be chopped or cropped wrong. Skyrim doesn't work at this res, but Oblivion does, which is interesting. Great aspect for what most of us will use them for; games, and movies.

Skyrim menus were messed up for me across 3 screens too.

 

[g-unit1111]

21:9? Ultra HD? Less than $500??? Count me in!

 

[tpbutch]

This review was so timely for me. I had been eyeing this thing on Amazon for the past week. Today, the price is down to $400. No-brainer for my needs.

 

[none12345]

The 1080 is a bit too small, 1200 would be better(1440 seems too large but ive never used that screen height, so duno). Black bars on movies dont bug me, id rather have the extra space for everything else i do on a pc. Seems to make a lot more sense to turn off part of the screen because you dont need it, then not have it there at all when you do need it.

What id really like tho is 200 dpi ~24"/~12" viewable area(27" viewable diagonal), with a slight curvature. ~4800x2400, ~120 hz. And the graphics card to drive it in next gen games at 120fps. Let me know when we have that.

 

[bee144]

This really isn't any better for playing games than my 2560x1440 monitor is it?

 

[Bron]

Nice monitor. I have enjoyed the 21:9 format on my Toshiba Satellite U845W-S414 purchased last year. Great for movies, but also good for productivity. Toshiba supplies a utility which allows you to have several different layouts at hand for multiple windows which I have found very useful Easy to switch among them, perfect for many tasks like moving and copying files, browsing, photo editing (with panels on the side), spreadsheets and so on. And the S414 is also fairly fast and light (ultrabook i7, 256GB SSD, etc.), so feel like they should get a little credit for pioneering in this area. It's only drawback is it is not an IPS panel, but it is a pretty decent panel none the less.

 

[gwolfman]

Can you please post your custom workflow so I can run through my monitors using CalMAN?

 

[g-unit1111]

I would like to try gaming with 3.

I'd like to rotate these things into portrait mode and game with five of them.

What? I can't be greedy every once in a while? :lol:

 

[soldier44]

Still doesn't get past the fact its 1080p and not 1600. Half assed is half assed. Spend the extra $600 and get the real thing, accept no substitutes.