I actually prefer 16:9 widescreens for development. The wider the display, the more likely I will be able to fit two windows side by side. Real estate at the bottom doesn't matter all that much, because modern systems make scrolling effortless.
I know that I'm getting ripped off in terms of pixel count, but I recently bought a 23" IPS display for about the same that a 19" IPS cost a few years back. They are the same height (both physically, and in pixel count), but I get more than 50% more horizontal area. Seems like a win to me...
I agree on scrolling and side-by-side. I also note that the overwhelming majority of functions and core loops still fit on wide screens 'missing' those 300 pixels along the bottom. How often are we simultaneously considering multiple functions that happen to be located directly above or below one another in code?
Also, the Code Bubbles concept IDE from a while back would really shine on a wide screen, as compared to 4:3 for that same 'side by side' reason. I really hope that project gets more traction and flourishes.
I know that I'm getting ripped off in terms of pixel count, but I recently bought a 23" IPS display for about the same that a 19" IPS cost a few years back. They are the same height (both physically, and in pixel count), but I get more than 50% more horizontal area. Seems like a win to me...