You would be forgiven if you thought 16:10 had been abandoned by manufacturers. it is rare to see these monitors pushed in any marketing on social media or on gaming websites. This elusive screen ratio has in fact long been the staple of the gamer who requires more vertical viewing space over the widescreen viewport that 16:9 provides. Whilst there are not too many options for the 16:10 gamer, manufacturers do also offer a range of other features including 4K, FreeSync and are available in sizes from 21.5" up to 32", with the most popular sizes being 23" and 24".
About 16:10 Monitors
If you're as old as this author, you will remember the 4:3 CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors we began our PC gaming journey on, which were still popular until around 2003. Trinitron was easily the most preferred CRT monitor, favoured by the gamers who played Medal of Honour: Allied Assault and the original DOOM. Incidentally, CRT monitors are still in circulation in the retro community and mainstream due to zero latency. After 4:3, 16:10 became the most popular display aspect ratio until 2008.
Around 2008–2010, the market saw a landslide change by display manufacturers that switched to the 16:9 display aspect ratio, so much so that by 2011, 16:10 was very hard to source. By October 2012, the market share of 16:10 monitors had fallen to less than 23%, according to Net Applications.
Why Choose A 16:10 Monitor?
If you are buying a 16:10 monitor, you are going to be able to see much more viewable screen area, and this allows both gamers and professionals who use PCs for digital art & design more room to play with, so to speak. For example, having a relatively square screen enables a much easier workspace for designing, having plenty of room for toolbars and docking areas, while keeping a good deal of space in the centre of the screen for design.
Yes, 16:10 is also recommended by pro gamers as a the "best aspect ratio", which we'll go into a little further in.
Do 4K 16:10 Monitors Exist?
Right now, the 16:10 aspect ratio interest is still quite sedate, though the rise in popularity of games that require a more square viewing area has seen sales of these displays rally.
When you look at the different display aspect ratios side by side, you can see that you are indeed getting more headroom when compared to 16:9:
Credit: HP
HDR 16:10 Monitors
HDR is available on 16:10 monitors, with models such as the ASUS ProArt PA24AC 24.1" WUXGA IPS Monitor. With a 1920 x 1200 resolution and HDR-10, FreeSync and 60Hz refresh rate, this monitor is perfect for gaming, with performance up to 60 Frames Per Second (FPS).
The ASUS ProArt PA24AC affords gamers 400 nits of brightness and HDR-10 high dynamic range technology, with VESA DisplayHDR 400 for brighter whites and darker blacks, which results in a "rich and lifelike viewing experience".
What Resolution Is 16:10?
The resolutions you can choose in 16:10 are 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, and 2560×1600 - so this offers plenty in terms of gaming options - with the obvious exception of 4K. Dell recently released a 13.5" laptop that has a "4K" screen, but labelled 3.5K resolution by Dell themselves at 3456 x 2160px - which is an odd duck resolution to start with.
Is 16:10 Good For Gaming?
Gaming is also affected positively, mostly by more vertical space, as we've already touched on. If you don't know what that looks like in terms of accuracy and speed, check this video out:
You probably guessed - it gives an advantage to players who need to focus on the centre of the screen. 16:10 doesn't just give better views above and below the crosshairs, it also zooms the central (crosshair) area too, giving you an advantage over your opponent.
In the case of CS:GO or similar games, you will see bigger character sprites (opponents) and benefit from a zoomed HUD. This is the reason pro gamers will recommend not just attempting to get the 16:10 aspect ratio on your 16:9 screen, but actually purchasing a 16:10 native monitor instead.
Most Popular 23" and 24" 16:10 Monitors
23" and 24" 16:10 monitors are by far the most widely available and tend to be the most popular among gamers who want a single, dual or triple monitor setup. The big manufacturers all carry a range of 16:10 displays, too, so you won't have to resort to a generic brand.
Lenovo T23d-10 23" WUXGA IPS Monitor
First up is the Lenovo T23d-10 23" WUXGA IPS Monitor, which boasts some of the same features you would find on any other IPS display.
| Screen Aspect Ratio | 16:10 |
| Screen Size | 23 in |
| Screen Width | 49.62 cm |
| Screen Height | 31.39 cm |
| Screen Technology | In-Plane Switching (IPS) |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.250 x 0.250 mm |
| Brightness | Lumens |
| View Angle (Horizontal - Max) | 178 ° |
| View Angle (Vertical - Max) | 178 ° |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,000:1 |
| Resolution (Native) | 1920 x 1200 Pixels |
| Resolution Type (Native) | WUXGA |
| Backlight | W-LED |
| Colour Gamut | 72% |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 |
Lenovo's borderless 16:10 bright WUXGA monitor and narrow bezel make it a great candidate for multi-screen setups. The T23D-10 has a 4 ms response time, and anti-glare technology in the display reduces motion blur, eliminating streaking and ghosting in games. IPS means great viewing angles and superb, vivid colours, and Lenovo's pedigree with IPS has been well documented in displays such as the award winning M14 portable monitor.
Price (November 2021): £159.96
ASUS ProArt Display PA248QV 24.1" WUXGA Monitor
For a 75Hz gaming experience and superior colour for design work, the ASUS ProArt Display PA248QV 24.1" WUXGA Monitor offers plenty to the user. Again, an IPS panel, this monitor has great visuals from various viewing angles, and with a 5 ms response time, low latency.
The PA248QV trump card over competitors, however, is its appeal with designers and professional users. "The ProArt Display PA248QV is factory calibrated and Calman Verified to guarantee industry-leading colour accuracy" according to ASUS, and offers a 1920 x 1200 resolution for full utilisation of screen space. The ProArt display allows you to benefit from industry-standard 100% sRGB and 100% Rec. 709 color gamut which means clear, rich and vivid reproduction of your photos.
| Screen Aspect Ratio | 16:10 |
| Screen Size | 24.1 in |
| Screen Width | 518.4 mm |
| Screen Height | 324 mm |
| Screen Technology | In-Plane Switching (IPS) |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.27 mm |
| Brightness | 300 Lumens |
| View Angle (Horizontal - Max) | 178 ° |
| View Angle (Vertical - Max) | 178 ° |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,000:1 |
| Resolution (Native) | 1920 x 1200 pixels |
| Resolution Type (Native) | WUXGA |
| Backlight | Yes (LED) |
| Colour Gamut | 100% sRGB |
| | 100% Rec.709 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:09 |
Price (November 2021): £231.74
16:10 Monitors - Are They Worth It?
The best gamers will tell you that any advantage you can achieve over your opponents is worth having, and depending on the type of game you are playing (FPS, strategy etc.) a 16:10 monitor can definitely offer some advantage. Games such as Rainbow Six Siege and CS:GO see some benefit from a 16:10 display aspect ratio, without question.
It's not all about gaming, however. Whilst it may take some getting used to, the extended viewing area is naturally better for your productivity in terms of design work, and users of Adobe Photoshop, music production and other detail orientated applications will enjoy a much better and more versatile workspace.
Last word: A 16:10 monitor is definitely worth it if you value your workspace area or want to improve in competitive gaming.
