There is a really useful short-cut in Windows which allows you to align a window to the left or the right of a screen. This way you can use your 16:9 wide screen efficiently using keyboard without any mouse resizing.
This is possible on Ubuntu Unity, GNOME 2, KDE and XFCE too! Just with different mechanisms...
| Desktop | Half Maximize Left | Half Maximize Right |
|---|
| Windows | [Windows]+[Left] | [Windows]+[Right] |
| Ubuntu Unity | [Ctrl]+[Super]+[Left] | [Ctrl]+[Super]+[Right] |
| GNOME 3 | Drag to left edge | Drag to right edge |
| GNOME 2 + Compiz Grid plugin | Drag to left border | Drag to right border |
| GNOME 2/XFCE/KDE + Brightside | Drag to configured edge | Drag to configured edge |
| XFCE 4.10 | [Super]+[Left] | [Super]+[Right] |