How to Choose a Portable Monitor (08) – Screen Ratio

If you are looking for a portable monitor, you may have noticed that there are different screen ratios available, such as 4:3, 16:9, 21:9, 16:10, and 3:2. What do these numbers mean, and how do they affect your viewing experience? In this article, we will explain what aspect ratio is, and what are the pros and cons of each aspect ratio.

What is screen ratio?

Screen ratio, also known as screen aspect ratio, is the proportional relationship between the width and height of the screen. It is usually expressed as two numbers separated by a colon, such as 16:9. This means that for every 16 units of width, there are 9 units of height. For example, a screen with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels has a aspect ratio of 16:9, because 1920 / 1080 = 16 / 9.

Screen ratio is important because it determines how the content on the screen is displayed. Different types of content may have different aspect ratios, such as movies, games, photos, and web pages. If the aspect ratio of the content matches the aspect ratio of the monitor, the content will fill the entire screen without any distortion or black bars. However, if the aspect ratio of the content is different from the aspect ratio of the monitor, the content may be stretched, cropped, or letterboxed to fit the screen.

What are the common screen ratios?

There are many screen ratios available for monitors, but some of the most common ones are 4:3, 16:9, 21:9, 16:10, and 3:2. Each of these aspect ratios has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the type of content you want to watch or work on. Here is a brief overview of each aspect ratio:

• 4:3: This is the classic screen ratio that was used for most TVs and monitors before the advent of widescreen. It is also the standard aspect ratio for most photos and some older video games. A 4:3 aspect ratio is good for displaying content that is more vertical than horizontal, such as documents, web pages, and presentations. However, it may not be ideal for watching modern movies or playing modern games, as they may have black bars on the sides or be cropped to fit the screen.
• 16:9: This is the most popular screen ratio for monitors and TVs today, as it is the standard aspect ratio for high-definition video, such as 1080p and 4K. It is also the aspect ratio for most modern video games, streaming services, and online platforms, such as YouTube and Netflix. A 16:9 aspect ratio is great for watching movies and playing games, as they will fill the entire screen without any distortion or black bars. However, it may not be the best choice for productivity tasks, such as multitasking, web browsing, or editing, as it may not provide enough vertical space for multiple windows or long texts.

• 21:9: This is the screen ratio for ultra-wide monitors, which are becoming more popular among gamers and content creators. It is also the aspect ratio for some cinematic movies, such as those filmed in the anamorphic format. A 21:9 aspect ratio can provide a more immersive and cinematic viewing experience, as it can offer a wider field of view and eliminate black bars for some movies. It can also enhance productivity, as it can allow more horizontal space for multiple windows or applications. However, it may not be compatible with some content, such as standard video or games, as they may have black bars on the top and bottom or be stretched to fit the screen.
• 16:10: This is the screen ratio for some monitors and laptops, especially those designed for professional use. It is also the aspect ratio for some tablets, such as the iPad. A 16:10 aspect ratio can offer a good balance between horizontal and vertical space, as it can provide more height than a 16:9 aspect ratio, but less width than a 21:9 aspect ratio. This can make it suitable for both entertainment and productivity, as it can display most content without much distortion or black bars, and also provide enough room for multiple windows or applications. However, it may not be as common or widely supported as the 16:9 aspect ratio, and it may not be as immersive or cinematic as the 21:9 screen ratio.

• 3:2: This is the screen ratio for some laptops and tablets, especially those made by Microsoft, such as the Surface series. It is also the aspect ratio for some cameras, such as the Canon EOS. A 3:2 aspect ratio can offer a lot of vertical space, as it is more square than the other aspect ratios. This can make it ideal for reading, writing, browsing, or editing, as it can display more content on the screen without scrolling. It can also be good for displaying photos, as it can match the aspect ratio of some cameras. However, it may not be very good for watching movies or playing games, as it may have large black bars on the sides or be cropped to fit the screen.

How to choose the best screen ratio for your portable monitor?

There is no definitive answer to which screen ratio is the best for your portable monitor, as it depends on your personal preference and the type of content you want to watch or work on. However, here are some general tips to help you choose the best aspect ratio for your portable monitor:

• If you mainly use your portable monitor for watching movies or playing games, you may want to choose a 16:9 or a 21:9 screen ratio, as they can offer the best viewing experience for most video and gaming content.
• If you mainly use your portable monitor for productivity tasks, such as multitasking, web browsing, or editing, you may want to choose a 16:10 or a 3:2 screen ratio, as they can offer more vertical space for multiple windows or applications.
• If you use your portable monitor for a variety of purposes, such as entertainment and productivity, you may want to choose a 16:9 or a 16:10 screen ratio, as they can offer a good balance between horizontal and vertical space, and display most content without much distortion or black bars.