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Are There Affordable Low-DPI Large-Screen LCD Monitors?

jtownatpunk.net writes "As time goes by, I find myself supporting a greater number of users moving through their 40s and into their 50s (and beyond!). I notice more and more of them are lowering the resolution of their displays in order to 'make it bigger.' That was fine in the CRT days, but, quite frankly, LCDs look like crap when they're not displaying their native resolution. My solution at home is to hook my computer up to a big, honkin' 1080p HDTV, but that's a bit of a political risk in an office environment. 'Why does Bill get a freakin' big screen TV?!' Plus, it's a waste to be paying for the extra inputs (component, s-video, composite), remote, tuner, etc. that will never be used. And a 37-47" display is a bit large for a desk. So here's my question: Is there a source for 24-27" monitors running at 1366x768 that are affordable and don't have all of the 'TV' stuff? Or is my only choice to just buy 27" HDTVs and admonish the users not to watch TV? (And, no, just giving them big CRTs is not an option. Most people would rather stare at a fuzzy LCD than 'go back' to a CRT.)"

8 of 549 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why reduce the DPI instead of using larger font by TheRealMindChild · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Because there is more to look at than fonts... like the 16x16 icons everywhere.

    --

    "When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!" -- Cave Johnson
  2. Re:Why reduce the DPI instead of using larger font by NoYob · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Because there is more to look at than fonts... like the 16x16 icons everywhere.

    Isn't there a "large Icons" selection?

    --
    It's NOT me! It's the meds! I'm on 1000mg of Fukitol.
  3. Get a 2560x1600 monitor and run at 1280x800 by pin0chet · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Easy. Get a 30" Desktop LCD like the Dell 3007wfp and run it at exactly 1/2 its native vertical and horizontal resolutions (1280x800). You essentially get the same quality as if it were the native resolution (well, one to one mapping at least) and none of that crazy TV stuff. The best part is that if somebody with, well, "normal" eyes wants to use the monitor in its full 2560x1600 glory, they can simply switch the resolution.

    1. Re:Get a 2560x1600 monitor and run at 1280x800 by Overzeetop · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes, that works. Except for the cheap part. Much cheaper to buy them a 32" TV and throw away the remote.

      --
      Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  4. Re:Why reduce the DPI instead of using larger font by MartijnL · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And all sorts of business critical applications that use unscalable texts in the UI. Now you can blame the application for not scaling but usually just buying a bigger screen for the user is a lot cheaper than having the application fixed (if it is even fixable at all).

  5. Re:Why reduce the DPI instead of using larger font by Lord+Byron+Eee+PC · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Reading glasses - they are cheap ($5) and available (Walgreens). Why everyone feels the need to solve easy problems with complex solutions, I will never know.

  6. Re:Why reduce the DPI instead of using larger font by Hope+Thelps · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So my solution is to hand out reading glasses to the older users I support?

    No. But recommending a visit to the opticians to any users who complain of bad eyesight would be a good idea, regardless of age. Are you planning on getting comfy sofas for those that don't like the office chairs too? If there's a genuine medical need for special equipment like a larger monitor then of course it's good practice to provide that where it's economically viable to do so. But that's after they've sought medical advice and can support a need for special treatement. The reason you need to worry about other staff asking 'Why does Bill get a freaki'n big screen TV?!' is because you don't have a good explanation for it. That should tell you evrything about the situation.

    --
    To summarise the summary of the summary: people are a problem. ~ h2g2
  7. Re:Non-problem? by ThrowAwaySociety · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If they want to look at an awful non-native resolution on their LCD, why don't you shed your single tear about the waste of technology and let them go about their business?

    Where does it say that the submitter was whining about the "waste of technology" or forbidding his users from using non-native resolutions? Where does it say that the users are happy with the non-native-resolution "solution?"

    He's just trying to find an optimal solution, instead of a half-assed one. Which is exactly what a good IT guy should do