If you happen to find all the extra whitespace on today's web a bit bothersome, there's a simple solution: try switching your monitor to portrait mode. You'll be pleasantly surprised how much easier it becomes to read the web once you make this small adjustment.
Although, if you're using a laptop with a 16:9 aspect ratio, it can be a bit challenging. It seems most laptop manufacturers assumed we would primarily use our laptops for watching movies, rather than for important work like writing and reading. If you're stuck in this situation, I highly recommend considering a laptop with a 16:10 or 3:2 aspect ratio instead.
Anyway, I thought you might find it helpful to take a look at these screenshots. They show the noticeable difference that portrait mode can make in transforming the web into a much more readable experience!
I personally think that the widespread adoption of 16:9 monitors in landscape mode may not have been the best decision. While it's great for watching movies and playing video games, it's not the most ideal for reading, which is what many people use the web for.
Interestingly, most people tend to use their smartphones in portrait mode rather than landscape, and I believe it's because it offers a better reading experience.
You know who else shares a similar viewpoint on 16:9 in landscape mode? Apple! They have never used 16:9 on their laptops and continue to opt for 16:10 because they believe that having more vertical space is beneficial for productivity.
@atomicpoet I have one monitor in portrait orientation (mainly because it's sharing desk space with 3 others), and it feels uncomfortably narrrow. Probably that 16:9 ratio.
@mhthaung Yeah, I'm not a fan of 16:9 aspect ratio either. Personally, I prefer using a 16:10 display like the ASUS ProArt Display PA248QV. It has a resolution of 1920x1200 and a refresh rate of 75hz. That's the monitor I use every day.
@wikinaut I find that when I read a book, each page tends to have slightly more vertical space than horizontal space. It's actually done for a good reason – it makes the text much more enjoyable to read. And you know what? That principle holds true for books and magazines, and also applies to the web as well.
@wikinaut Sure, but the majority of my time spent on the web is actually dedicated to writing and reading text. You may have noticed all that empty whitespace on websites, and it's actually because the 16:9 aspect ratio isn't ideal for displaying text.
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