LCD Monitor advice for a 60 year old

[srijan]

Hi,

I'm about to buy a new LCD monitor for my father. He's 60 years old and his eyes aren't quite as sharp as they used to be. He currently uses a 17" samsung CRT monitor at 1024x768 with the font size set to large (not extra large) in the WinXP appearance settings. He finds this comfortable - the text is large enough for him to read.

I want to buy him a larger LCD monitor now. What Screen size / resolution should I go for so that he'll find it just as comfortable, but will have more screen space?

My budget is around $200, definitely not more that $250.

Thanks!

 

[Tristicus]

22" could be ideal with a 1440x900 resolution and enlarged font.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009212

 

[srijan]

The Acer monitor you've suggested has a native resolution of 1680 x 1050. Won't the image look fuzzy if I set the resolution to 1440x900 on this monitor?

I think I need a large screen size with a slightly lower native resolution. Right?

 

[corkyg]

Like Tristicus said, you don't need to set the resolution lower. Just set the font size higher. My eyes are probably in worse shape than your dad's -I was 60 about 18 years ago.

I use a 19-in Viewsonic, and am going to switch to a 22-23-in Samsung.

I have the Display Properties, Settings, Advanced set to Large Size. Any resolution can be dealt with without lowering it.

 

[Tristicus]

It shouldn't look fuzzy. Then again, I've only set mine lower once or twice (1920x1200 on a 24" screen). And hell, you could even set it to the native with larger font if you wanted, though I don't know how big it goes or how big he needs it. 1440x900 is a resolution for 19" widescreen monitors (and under I suppose), but it may be available in a bigger size.

 

[0roo0roo]

it will look soft, esp when scaling to a resolution so near. never run an lcd at nonnative for desktop.
xp system font size increase is sorta buggy, it kinda works.
its too bad you odn't have vista or 7, those scale the gui and everything as large as you want without any issues.
i'd suggest the 24" 1080p. same pixel density as a 22" 1680x but bigger desktop area..less scrolling etc just crank the system size as before.

 

[Lemon law]

It may be all well and fine to talk about any ole screen resolution, but many computers have on board video often incapable of displaying anything over 1024x1280.

 

[WinGeek]

Resolution is not the only thing which you go for while buying an LCD monitor. First of all make sure what your desires are?
Like you said you want to buy this LCD for your father, he might not be interested in playing games? But as you also mentioned about his not so good eye sight, the colors and graphic of screen might be good enough.

If you say, 800x600 my answer would be yes. beacause it is not so bad resolution for a computer screen, depending on what you're doing. If you're just going to do a bit of web surfing, many websites work perfect with 800x600 settings.

But again some newer sites have optimized for a display setting of 1024x768 and that is one of the reason 1024x768 is becoming common resolution.
Now last but not the least "your price range", you can get good LCD monitor for your father in around $200 - $250
So do not waste time, go buy and gift it

 

[jackschmittusa]

I'm that old, wear glasses, and use a 22" lcd @ 1680x1050 with cleartype turned on. I dual boot XP and Win7. I have adjusted icon and font sizes to suit me.

My wife is older than I am and doesn't use her reading glasses with her computer using a 22" lcd, adjusted to her liking.

 

[najames]

I'm 52 and I use dual 19" monitors at work, dual HP W2207 (22") at home. I wear dedicated single vision special "computer glasses", the eye doc tuned my perscription. I chose kinda rectangular lens, wider across for scanning side to side.

I can't stand using my regular progressives for PC work any more. I still like the native resolution / fonts with both setups using my 'puter glasses.

 

[KeithP]

Although I have no idea about the quality, Best Buy has a Dynex 24" 720P LCD TV (1366 x 768) for $249. They have some 22" models for a bit less.

-KeithP

 

[0roo0roo]

720p at that size is a bit of joke for desktop computing. its a whole lot of wasted screen area, unless you are legally blind almost theres no reason to go that low res at that size