Since there's a large mixture of web- and graphic designers here, I got the followign question.

Next month I'm planning to buy a new computer but the part I'm unsure about is what kind of monitor.
Right now I'm working on a 19" flatscreen and I'm going to a 22".
The thing is, I'm not working on a 16:9 widescreen, but a 4:3.

The things the computer will be used for:

Dreamweaver
Flash
Photoshop
Cinema 4d
Illustrator
Indesign

I'd like to hear some opinions from those working on a widescreen and those working on a 4:3 screen. What's better and why.
I suppose the widescreen is handier for all those bars that can be dragged to one side of the screen, but the 4:3 is better to have a better overview of larger images/pages.

Thanks in advance

I prefer widescreen because of the space for the bars and menus. As for most of the work (PS, Illu, Indesign) I am working in zoom-mode, getting an overview is ok with this size. Just Fontsizes under 8 transform into grey bars when I zoom out in "original"-size, but thats ok. My next screen level would be two screens beside, with being able to draw cursor over both screens. Another problem is the display of colors, and maybe getting a proof or calibration for your screen, when you often deliver data for offset-printing. It took me two printjobs, until I noticed, that my screen is displaying colors and contrasts brighter than usual, so the prints became very dark. also some chops became to dark, as some of you commented, but on my place the chops looked good. So far from me, but I am faaaaar away of being an expert on this equipment...

go wide

have both, also a solution

get yourself a widescreen, and use your current one as a secondary monitor

thats what my father said to my mom and 9 months later there was Me
now i have no experience with big screens yet, but wide looks more interresting for putting bars at the side, for vieuwing it will bring you back to your 19 inch, so i dont know and i am also willing to hear what the experts say about this subject

I think you answered your own question
At least that's how I see it. Just what you said above. Wider gives you more workspace and 4:3 for a better look to what your working with. Personally when I worked on a desktop (went laptop now) I liked having a double screen so I could use one just for my tool boxes like below.

Hope this isn't hijaking, but I have a computer screen question as well. I bought a monitor arm so I can flip my LCD screen (the one I haven't bought yet) to portrait mode.

I see a program called "Pivot Pro" which will flip the content. My question is, does the LCD screen have to have special guts to be flipped 90 degrees or will a program like this work on any ol' flat panel LCD? Anyone have experience with portrait mode?

Thanks,

Sye

Thanks for the replies, they were usefull to me and I think I've made up my mind already.

Cheers guys

Good option: WIDE and USE THE SIDE!

Best option: Two side by side.

Canuck: wouldn't it be cheaper just to turn your head sideways?

I had to set up a couple of computers at work and it had the option right in the software. Just can't remember if it was in windoze or if it was the software that comes with the monitor but I didn't pay any extra for it.

look into your video card settings, should be there

I dunno about yous guys but every screen I ever had has the flip option on the screens menu accessed through the monitors menu on the monitor. I will monitor this situation to see if yous guys monitor your monitors and figure out what the heck i'm blathering aboot.

Get yourself a monochromatic, duotone, CRT monitor. I hear it's the latest technology! Your fancy programs will have great clarity when being viewed on a 13 inch screen! Just remember to put the screensaver on every now and then!

Thanks again for the tips, I got my screen a bit sooner then expected. Today

Coming from a 19", 20" sounded good.
But then I saw a nice 22" widescreen and thought.. this will be really worth it.


So I got myself a 24" instead
Porn has never looked so impressive on my screen. I'm not sure which boob to look at

if everything grows so fast with you, you a lucky guy