Eyesight help: re monitors.

tweeter

Hi peeps,
Does anyone know how the Dell E196FP 19" lcd monitor compares to the HP vs19e 19" lcd monitor visionwise,as my eyesight is not so good and I can't get out to compare any monitors. Have a limited budget so I can't entertain high end stuff. If there are any other monitor suggestions thanks in advance. tweeter.

amosworks

I would have thought they are both extremely similar. Of course, follow good ergonomics and ensure your monitor is raised, not reflecting glare from a window and maybe fit it with a glare guard. You should be able to adjust the resolution of the desktop in your Operating System, and additional controls like brightness/contrast via the monitor itself. Most modern monitors allow a great deal of control of the picture output.

Ditto

What do you use your pc for - office - games?

Microsoft has its own built in magnifier, but you can also purchase other software that can do a better job. At work visually impaired people use Supernova.
Here is a link to a free download - http://www.dolphincomputeraccess.com/downloads/index.asp

tweeter

I don't use it for games or surf very much and know about the magnifier, as I said I can't get out to compare monitors.Thanks tweeter

jpe20

Hi tweeter,

Don't make the same mistake as I did!!!! I bought the 24inch Dell widescreen thinking that bigger is better. What I did not realise was the the resolution was very high too 1920x1200!!!! My solution has been to use windows magnifier most of the time set as a 1.5 inch strip across the top of the screen. I still maintain the 1920x1200 res but if you go into "display properties=>Settings (Tab)=>Advanced (button) this allows you to change the dpi settings of your windows environment. Make the fonts large ones etc along with mouse settings to change the mouse pointer to extra large inverted. For internet browsing I generally use firefox and use ctrl ++ to make the text larger etc (This does not work on pages created with macromedia flash as the pixel size of the web-pages remain constant/fixed). I rarely use IE to surf the web but when I do a good tool I found was called Liquid Surf by Portrait Systems (Free to try and relatively cheap to buy). This I found a handy piece of software but you may find supernova better. They also do a product called Liquid View which is for windows generally which I have never tried. What I mention here is just a compromise as every now and then I get a windows app that renders badly due to the high dpi settings often due I think to .net apps. Also the internet browsing solutions I outline above are both imperfect though liquid surf does produce good results. Apparently Windows Vista intends to address this problem of apps appearing super tiny on these new high res monitors ... roll on 2007!!!!

Above are just tips for using the monitor once you get it.

As for buying one first off is size. 19" is good but i think you should go as large as you can but if you have a narrow field of vision then you should go for a size that suits that. Do try and get a size that suits a comfortable sitting position, one of my problems is I do tend to end up sitting too close to the screen.

If cost is an issue then bear in mind costs are falling all the time.

Hope some of the tips above are of help. Let me know how u get on.

Jules

Good Luck

jpe20

Web page specs for the hp monitor
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ho/WF06a/20491-314293-314303-314303-314303-12314752.html

Resolution for both is: 1280 x 1024 (SXGA)

Not much between the dell and hp. (dunno about cost) Dell has a lower constrast ratio 500to1 compared to 700to1 on the HP. The Dell is brighter I think 300cd/m2 compared to 250cd/m2 on the hp.

I would just go for the cheapest one. If there is not much between them then I would personally go for the Dell as I have had no probs with them. Remember 5% off through quidco and if you are savvy and patient then wait for a special offer (either something like 30% off or buy one get second half price). If you bought the 2 then I suppose u could put all your magnifier stuff on the 2nd screen.

Someone else correct me if I am wrong buy I think Samsung supply the screens to Dell.

Jules

DonnyDave

Is higher resolution better, per se? I think not necessarily.

Am I right in saying it's all to do with the density of the pixels (ie pixels per cm/inch)?

Also, widescreen laptop screens, is there any benefit over a 4:3 conventional when looking at webpages, for example? If the horizontal resolution on a 4:3 laptop is high enough, surely there won't be any need to scroll horizontally.

I'm thinking that they're like a conventional with a bit chopped off the top and bottom.

Take Mesh's Dimension D2300 with a conventional 15" screen running at 1400x1050 as an example. Is it a disadvantage having such a high resolution?

tweeter

Thanks Jules and Donnydave you've given me more to take into consideration especially about the brightness and resolution "The Dell is brighter I think 300cd/m2 compared to 250cd/m2 on the hp." and "Is higher resolution better" respectively, as I was thinking more in terms of contrast ratio.I hope I got that right. The bit about Samsung was illuminating but I suppose they source where ever.Thanks again, tweeter.