Questions about monitor resolution & text size

[machope]

Hi,

I'm in the market for a computer monitor - preferably in the 20-inch (diagonal) range, but circumstances may force me to seriously consider 18.5" screens or 21.5" screens (popularly advertised as 19-inch and 22-inch, respectively). I think 21.5" is the absolute upper limit in what I'd be willing to buy.

I think I would prefer a monitor with as low of a native resolution as possible - because high-res screens seem to make text-size too small for long-term comfort. I also want to be able to sit perhaps about 2 or 3 feet from the screen, and still be able to comfortably read the text (ideally, I'd like to sit about 4 feet from the screen, but I realize that might not be possible given my limited-choices in screen resolution/size. Even a 2-3 feet distance might be a stretch.).

I realize that Windows 7 seems to offer at least one option for increasing text-size independent of a screen's native resolution - but I'm considering buying a Mac, and I don't think Mac OS X offers quite the options/flexibility in the way of increasing font-size as Win 7. So finding a native resolution that is as comfortable as possible is very important for me (since, you know - running a LCD monitor at anything less than native resolution makes the screen blurry/fuzzy).

I'm very concerned about what text size I would be getting at a particular screen size and native resolution. Is it true that getting a 18.5" monitor with a 1360x768 resolution (and 0.300mm pixel pitch) would actually display larger/more readable text than a 20" monitor running a 1600x900 resolution (with a 0.2768mm pixel pitch)? How much is the difference in text size between these two types of monitors?

Can anyone rank the following monitor-types from largest text-size to smallest text-size?

18.5" monitor at 1360x768 and 0.300mm pixel pitch

20" monitor at 1600x900 and 0.2768mm pixel pitch

21.5" monitor at 1920x1080 and 0.248mm pixel pitch

It's sort-of hard for me to believe that a 18.5" monitor may yield larger text than a 21.5" monitor, but according to what I've seen/read, that may be the case?

Also, does the connection type - digital (DVI, HDMI) vs. analog (VGA) - make a significant difference in image quality? Is it true that the difference between these two types of connections becomes more apparent as the screen size and resolution increases? Would I notice a difference at the screen sizes/resolutions listed above?

Perhaps a digital connection is advantageous for getting a crisper picture when trying to run your monitor at less than its native resolution? Or does the monitor look fuzzy/blurry at sub-native resolution regardless of connection type?

Thanks in advance for any help and insights.

 

[TemjinGold]

I think what you want is an HDTV.

 

[MrK6]

I think your best bet would be to look at whatever monitor you're using now, figure out it's pixel pitch, and match something close when you're buying a new monitor. Resolution determines how much virtual space you have to work with, and coupled with physical size determines what you actually see. I always use the chart in this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot_pitch when I build new PC's for folks as it's a nice reference for comparison. And yes, I'd use a digital connection over analog as you'll get a crisper image, which I think makes text reading easier.

I think what you want is an HDTV.

Not if he's reading a lot of text I wouldn't.

 

[machope]

I think your best bet would be to look at whatever monitor you're using now, figure out it's pixel pitch, and match something close when you're buying a new monitor. Resolution determines how much virtual space you have to work with, and coupled with physical size determines what you actually see. I always use the chart in this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot_pitch when I build new PC's for folks as it's a nice reference for comparison. And yes, I'd use a digital connection over analog as you'll get a crisper image, which I think makes text reading easier.

Well, it's not like the monitor I'm using now is all that great of a situation - I mean, it's o.k., but not necessarily something that's worth going out of my way to replicate. I'm using a laptop with a 14" screen (4:3 aspect ratio), with a 1024x768 native resolution (with a 0.28 pixel pitch - it's a miracle that I was able to find that info). My head is anywhere from 19" to 30" from the screen at any given time - and at some point, I felt the need to increase the dpi to 115% of normal size to make text bigger/less of a strain to read.

For certain reasons, I'm strongly considering a desktop (i.e. the Mac Mini) for my next computer - and I would ideally like to sit at a greater distance from the desktop/screen than I sit from this laptop. So I obviously need a bigger screen than the one I'm using now - a screen that would show large, crisp text. With a Mac, I think there is an option in which you can enlarge, say, webpage content - but menu sizes and text size of the overall operating system is pretty unchangable, it seems - so I need to make sure I get a screen with a size/resolution that I can live with.

I saw that Wikipedia page - there is some very helpful info on there, particularly that chart. But it still leaves me confused as to how the text sizes of different sized screens at different resolutions compare to each other.

Not if he's reading a lot of text I wouldn't.

Well, I think I'm one who might like a 22" HDTV that shows 1366x768 resolution (I would probably even like it on a larger HDTV, but for certain reasons 22" is my size limit). Or is there a different reason why HDTVs aren't good for reading text?

I've been considering just buying a HDTV (19" or 22") and using that as a monitor - but then again, there are some reasons why a monitor may be preferable. For one, I can walk into a store and get a basic idea of how monitors display computer content - the store-demo HDTVs all show TV content, not computer content. So until I get a HDTV home and hook it up to my computer, I would have no idea of how the display would look.

 

[Ben90]

For further reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel_pitch

Cliff Notes:
The bigger the pixel pitch, the larger everything (including text size) will be.

In your example the 18.5" monitor will have the largest text, however it will display the least amount of text of those three.

 

[LokutusofBorg]

So I obviously need a bigger screen than the one I'm using now - a screen that would show large, crisp text. With a Mac, I think there is an option in which you can enlarge, say, webpage content - but menu sizes and text size of the overall operating system is pretty unchangable, it seems - so I need to make sure I get a screen with a size/resolution that I can live with.

I saw that Wikipedia page - there is some very helpful info on there, particularly that chart. But it still leaves me confused as to how the text sizes of different sized screens at different resolutions compare to each other.

You need to do two things here, IMO.

1) Decide on a resolution that you can live with. This determines desktop area and really nothing more. Your current laptop is 1024x768, you say. So unless you really feel the need for a *lot* more desktop space then you would probably be happy with a 1680x1050 monitor. There are tons of options for you in that resolution.

2) Decide on a pixel pitch that will give you the text size that you desire. This is the single spec you need to concentrate on to get the larger text size that you're stressing over. Every monitor I've ever looked at lists the pixel pitch on the tech spec sheet. Most monitors will be 0.27mm. But many are 0.28mm or higher. Look at a couple in the store, find out what their pixel pitch is, and figure out what is going to be comfortable for your needs.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=30114453#post30114453

I've been considering just buying a HDTV (19" or 22") and using that as a monitor - but then again, there are some reasons why a monitor may be preferable. For one, I can walk into a store and get a basic idea of how monitors display computer content - the store-demo HDTVs all show TV content, not computer content. So until I get a HDTV home and hook it up to my computer, I would have no idea of how the display would look.

Most any store with TVs on display should allow you to take your laptop in there and hook it up to a few TVs to see if you would like to buy one. Just bring your own cable(s). Most TVs have a VGA connector.

 

[happy medium]

A 22" 1600x1050 is what your looking for. Use windows 7 to customize your text any size you want and your set.

Example: I use my 19 inch crt @ 1600x1200 and set text size to 125 percent and it looks just fine.

 

[Phynaz]

A 22" 1600x1050 is what your looking for. Use windows 7 to customize your text any size you want and your set.

Example: I use my 19 inch crt @ 1600x1200 and set text size to 125 percent and it looks just fine.

He said twice he is getting a Mac.

 

[LokutusofBorg]

A 22" 1680x1050 monitor will have a large pixel pitch so the first part of his advice is good...

 

[happy medium]

He said twice he is getting a Mac.

I read.............

Quote:

but I'm considering buying a Mac

 

[cbn]

Can anyone rank the following monitor-types from largest text-size to smallest text-size?

18.5" monitor at 1360x768 and 0.300mm pixel pitch

20" monitor at 1600x900 and 0.2768mm pixel pitch

21.5" monitor at 1920x1080 and 0.248mm pixel pitch

It's sort-of hard for me to believe that a 18.5" monitor may yield larger text than a 21.5" monitor, but according to what I've seen/read, that may be the case?

The 18.5" has the largest pixels and thus the largest text at native resolution, but the 21.5" you have listed has about twice the number of total pixels.

P.S. If you wanted larger pixels at 1920 x 1080 you would need a larger screen.