Difference between normal and curved screens ?

TheSwede · 1 Mar 2015 at 20:42

I never used a curved monitor before, not even seen one part from online really. So, wondering if there is much of a difference using one for normal PC usage and gaming compared to a normal one ??

Especially wondering about the 34inch curved ones, compared to a normal, if anyone experienced both ??

kingshaun2k · 1 Mar 2015 at 21:08

http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/curved-tvs-the-pros-and-cons

TheSwede · 1 Mar 2015 at 22:29

Thanks, but that's for TV's .. at 55'' I tend to sit like 3-4 meter away from the screen.. the 34'' if buying one will be my PC monitor and about 0.7 meter away from me..

Matson · 1 Mar 2015 at 22:38

I had the LG ultrawide which is flat and now im using the Samsung which is curved.. At first I didn't like the idea of a curved screen and though I wouldn't like it but now that I have it I love it.
From the front you really cant notice it and its extremely subtle but it just feels more natural and better for some reason and now I prefere it to the flat version.

kingshaun2k · 1 Mar 2015 at 23:29

But it'll just be pretty much the same but at a smaller scale.

Minstadave · 1 Mar 2015 at 23:33

We spent most of the CRT era moving away from curved screens to flat screens. Now curved screens are the in thing again. Admittedly CRTs were convex and the new screens are concave but it seems like a passing fad.

TheSwede · 2 Mar 2015 at 07:59

kingshaun2k said:
But it'll just be pretty much the same but at a smaller scale.

Not so sure about that, not if you going to be working with it, i.e. using Word, Excel and other programs, then it's a bit different. Also, when gaming you got to move around with the mouse to preform certain tasks and such. With a TV you basically just watch the action unfold on the screen so personally would say it's not the same.. but, that's my own opinion and it seems to differ from yours, which is all good.

If going by reviews though according to this one it's one of the most ridiculous PC monitors he ever tried..

The most ridiculous PC Monitor I have ever used

But reason I asked here is I rather have the opinion about these screen from users here, whom using them for everyday tasks. And if Baddass or PCM2 would happen to stumble upon this thread, even better.

Matson said:
I had the LG ultrawide which is flat and now im using the Samsung which is curved.. At first I didn't like the idea of a curved screen and though I wouldn't like it but now that I have it I love it.
From the front you really cant notice it and its extremely subtle but it just feels more natural and better for some reason and now I prefere it to the flat version.

Glad to hear that, you on a 29 or a 34 screen ? Still divided if I would go flat or curved though..

PCM2 · 2 Mar 2015 at 08:27

I have seen this thread. I will be posting my impressions on 'the curve' on my Samsung S34E790C review, which will be in progress over the next few weeks. I know Baddass will be taking a look at the Dell U3415W shortly as well.

perosus · 2 Mar 2015 at 09:31

Have been using a U3415W for over a week now, and I can confirm what most people are saying here. Sat in front of it, you don't really notice the curve.

However, that doesn't mean I dont think it is worth it. While I have not used a flat 34" 21:9, in that format there is likely going to be some colour shift at the extreme left/right of the monitors at a standard viewing distance. Even on the best monitors you notice a slight change in huge/brightness as you change your viewing angle. I noticed this when going from a 17" IPS laptop to a 27" IPS display. Now going from a 27" IPS to 34" curved IPS, I did not notice any of this, and in my (entirely subjective) opinion, I'd pass this off as being the curve helping to keep that shift down to a minimum.

All in all, I like the curve. It's subtle enough that you dont feel like you are looking through a lens or fishbowl (anyone remember moving from an old curved CRT to LCD?), and doesn't induce any sort of distortion into day to day work.

Matson · 2 Mar 2015 at 10:03

TheSwede said:
Glad to hear that, you on a 29 or a 34 screen ? Still divided if I would go flat or curved though..

34 inches. I think the curve is best suited for that size.
The Samsung has the biggest curve out of all the ultrawide screens I believe but when im in front of it I don't even notice it but the sides just feel closer to you. I don't know if the curved monitors will last long or if its a quick phase but im happier with mine than I was with the flat LG.

paulo7 · 2 Mar 2015 at 17:20

Is it worth the premium though...?

Matson · 2 Mar 2015 at 19:10

I only paid about £60 more for the Samsung curved than the LG flat is now so I wouldn't say the premium is that bad. Once the Samsung has been out as long as the LG I would expect it to be close in price to what it is now. The LG curved is stupid at nearly £1000 though but I don't know why you would choose that over the Samsung or dell.

TheSwede · 2 Mar 2015 at 23:47

PCM2 said:
I have seen this thread. I will be posting my impressions on 'the curve' on my Samsung S34E790C review, which will be in progress over the next few weeks. I know Baddass will be taking a look at the Dell U3415W shortly as well.

Thanks, I keep an eye out for the review unless I already bought one by then that is.

perosus said:
Have been using a U3415W for over a week now, and I can confirm what most people are saying here. Sat in front of it, you don't really notice the curve.

However, that doesn't mean I dont think it is worth it. While I have not used a flat 34" 21:9, in that format there is likely going to be some colour shift at the extreme left/right of the monitors at a standard viewing distance. Even on the best monitors you notice a slight change in huge/brightness as you change your viewing angle. I noticed this when going from a 17" IPS laptop to a 27" IPS display. Now going from a 27" IPS to 34" curved IPS, I did not notice any of this, and in my (entirely subjective) opinion, I'd pass this off as being the curve helping to keep that shift down to a minimum.

All in all, I like the curve. It's subtle enough that you dont feel like you are looking through a lens or fishbowl (anyone remember moving from an old curved CRT to LCD?), and doesn't induce any sort of distortion into day to day work.

That's a good point about the colour shifting, hadn't thought about that.

Matson said:
34 inches. I think the curve is best suited for that size.
The Samsung has the biggest curve out of all the ultrawide screens I believe but when im in front of it I don't even notice it but the sides just feel closer to you. I don't know if the curved monitors will last long or if its a quick phase but im happier with mine than I was with the flat LG.

Thanks for replying back, appreciated.

Doesn't the Samsung S34E790C have a TN panel and both Dell and LG has ISP panels ?? Would it be much difference between them, right now I got Dell and LG so ISP panels for now, and would it matter to have them mixed later on if I would be buying the Samsung one ?

Matson · 3 Mar 2015 at 00:14

its a VA panel. It has about twice the contrast ratio of the LG and Dell and deeper blacks.

TheSwede · 3 Mar 2015 at 00:20

Whops.. type the wrong panel type there.. ahh well, blaming it on being up to late trying to ask questions.

Thanks for your quick response though, Matson. Very much appreciated.

TheSwede · 3 Mar 2015 at 08:11

Ohh well, did what one shouldn't really do sometimes... had a look around for the Samsung and found it here in Sweden for such a tempting price I ended up buying before I realized it.. whopsi :eek:

... but should have it end of the week.