Reading glasses on Flexview 15" and 14.1 SXGA+

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Bern · #1 Post by **Bern** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 12:01 pm

Hi - I am new to this forum but have been reading posts with interest in that I am about to purchase a T42p - There are many postings on the 15" vs the 14.1" but if you use reading glasses here is my question:
Is the 15" sxga+ display much easeier to read than a 14.1 sxga+ screen?
I do tons of word processing and as a public speaker I use my notbook to rread from when I am speaking. So clarity of the fonts and ease of readability is a real issue. Previously I had a T40 with an XGA display and it was OK but I am looking for the sharpest screen I can get w/o the text being too small. Anyone out there have any inSIGHT on this?
Thanks - Bern[/b]

miaskiew · #2 Post by **miaskiew** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 12:25 pm

For me, PERSONALLY. SXGA's resolution is too high for word-processing. I find the fonts to be too small and to take up too little of the screen. When I have one word document open with the usual 12 point font, it looks to me like a 9 point would on my usual (big) CRT. (On the other hand, if you manipulate a lot of different documents at the same time, you might appreciate the SXGA screen which will hold more). So I will personally be getting an XGA because I find the icons and text under SXGA too small. I think especially when you read from some distance (when public-speaking) you might consider if SXGA wouldn't be too small.
On the other hand, people have been reporting that Flexview gives great viewing angles, which might also be important for you when reading in unusual conditions (from a lectern or something like this.).

Finally, please treat my comments with some caution because while writing in best faith I am not the most experienced laptop user

mrbjr · #3 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 12:49 pm

You can also use fn+spacebar to zoom, would work well for reading notes.
I wear glasses and have no problems with either my 14.1sxga+ or 15 Flexview although I now prefer the Flexview 99.9% of the time. YMMV

Bern · #4 Post by **Bern** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 1:38 pm

Ok so I am assuming since you use the flexview 99% of the time that it is much easier to read?

mrbjr · #5 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 3:14 pm

In my opinion, as I stated earlier that you can use the zoom feature to make text easier to read while reading your notes. It is the overall experience of the Flexview as opposed to the sxga screen. I have the luxury of having both to base my opinion on. Also remember all of these opinions are really personal. I wish you could see them both so you could make a better assessment. That would, in reality be the only way an individual could know for sure. Also you can return the machine for any or no reason within 30 days.

Bern · #6 Post by **Bern** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 10:35 pm

Anyone else out there have any feedback who has been able to compare the 15" flexview sxga+ with the 14.1 sxga+ as far as readability especially for someone who needs reading glasses? Thanks ahead of time for any more imput on this.

Guest · #7 Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 12:21 am

Readability on a 14" and 15" is quite similar on both displays since one can zoom or increase the font size up to ones personal needs !

You may have to watch the portability of your system too !!

A 15" screen means a bigger case than a 14" screen one ...
... you may more appreciate the smaller size of a 14" system !?

Usability does not only depend on the screen size !!!

Myself I did not want a 15" screen system !!

I preferred my Thinkpad to be more compact and mobile !

Good luck for your best choice

#8 Post by **aamsel** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:39 am

However, doesn't the 15" Flexview SXGA+ have MUCH larger viewing angles than the 14.1" SXGA+ (both horizontal and vertical) ???
Is this not true ???

Andrew
Austin, TX

Hangfire · #9 Post by **Hangfire** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:50 am

I've been using a 15" screen for 2 years and find it difficult to use the 14" screen.

akerman · #10 Post by **akerman** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 10:54 am

yes that is true aamsel.. I find that my 14.1" is just fine though; I can read it from the sides.. but one of my mates always complains "OMG that screen sux"... I don't know where he gets it from though, maybe he's just envious =)

MelissaBF · #11 Post by **MelissaBF** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 11:11 am

Get 14" XGA - I love it! Good portability and not so tiny. My husband has 14 SXGA and it is ridiculous, I am cross-eyed after using it. XGA is perfect and clear. I guess it could be sharper but looks clear to me. I know most will disagree, I just love it, at least for email, internet and word processing.

#12 Post by **aamsel** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:08 pm

Well, I used to be a firm believer that I needed low resolution. I even was running my 19" Samsung 191T LCD's at 1024 X 768 non-native.
I then tried Liquid View which increases the size of almost everything in XP, including the taskbar, dialog boxes, etc. It also increases the application font sizes used. I think that it could be used with a monitor of any high resolution to make XP useable. Combine this with a browser like Firefox or Opera that has total font size control, and you can control almost everything.

Andrew
Austin, TX

Leon · #13 Post by **Leon** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:15 pm

does this product work well with LCD screens (like on my T42 14" SXGA)??

#14 Post by **aamsel** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:23 pm

Yes, and you can download a free 30 day trial version at:
http://personalcomputing.portrait.com/u ... rview.html
It only costs $30 to buy.
(I assure you that I have nothing to do with the people who are marketing it, I was just impressed with how simple it is, and how well it seems to work).
I found that it had a more thorough control of the XP font sizes when you use it with the Windows Classic theme instead of the Windows XP theme (right-click on desktop, go to Properties, select Theme). With the Windows Classic theme, more of the dialog boxes are adjusted as well.
As I said, use it with a browser that has total font control, like Firefox or Opera, although the company that sells Liquid View, also sells something called Liquid Surf, that affects IE.

Andrew
Austin, TX

mkatz · #15 Post by **mkatz** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 3:58 pm

having read this thread, and particularly the comments about liquidview, makes me feel more comfortable with respect to ordering a 15" T42 rather than a 14.1" model....now, my remaining question relates to UXGA vs. SXGA+. How significant is the difference in terms of utility? The difference in pixel count in each dimension is approximately 10%.

aghusker · #16 Post by **aghusker** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 5:20 pm

mkatz wrote:having read this thread, and particularly the comments about liquidview, makes me feel more comfortable with respect to ordering a 15" T42 rather than a 14.1" model....now, my remaining question relates to UXGA vs. SXGA+. How significant is the difference in terms of utility? The difference in pixel count in each dimension is approximately 10%.

If 10% gain in each direction, then you will get 21% more area.

Reading glasses on Flexview 15" and 14.1 SXGA+

Reading glasses on Flexview 15" and 14.1 SXGA+

Readability versus portabillity !?

XGA

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