iMac 2020 fonts are blurred and gives me a headache

[Zanie]

I loved the screen on my 2011 iMac and replaced it with a 2020 model this weekend, but found that the fonts were blurred and the screen is headachy after a couple of minutes' use. Apple help desk advised me to upgrade to Big Sur and I fiddled with 'font smoothing', accessibility options etc etc for ages but still found it impossible to work on comfortably. Not sure what the difference is between this and my 2011 Mac - maybe retina display? And thoughts grateful received.

 

[svanstrom]

I loved the screen on my 2011 iMac and replaced it with a 2020 model this weekend, but found that the fonts were blurred and the screen is headachy after a couple of minutes' use. Apple help desk advised me to upgrade to Big Sur and I fiddled with 'font smoothing', accessibility options etc etc for ages but still found it impossible to work on comfortably. Not sure what the difference is between this and my 2011 Mac - maybe retina display? And thoughts grateful received.

First of all, let's try to rule out accidental user error: Did you experience this with a stock 2020 model?

Meaning, did you do anything at all to the computer (like a migration from an old computer, load some software, or change any settings at all) before you noticed this problem?

 

[Zanie]

Hi, no I noticed it as soon as I switched it on.

 

[svanstrom]

Hi, no I noticed it as soon as I switched it on.

And all other things are equal as with the old iMac?

Physical text size, where it's placed (so same distance from you, no new reflections from light sources, stuff like that), and anything else like that?

 

[Zanie]

Hi, yes, everything the same. I had the two computers side by side on my desk and noticed each time I looked between them how much more pleasant the old one was to use. My husband agreed that the fonts on the new screen were much harder to read.

 

[svanstrom]

Hi, yes, everything the same. I had the two computers side by side on my desk and noticed each time I looked between them how much more pleasant the old one was to use. My husband agreed that the fonts on the new screen were much harder to read.

Ok, I don't own any newer iMacs myself; but I'm sure there within a day or so will show up someone here at MR with actual experiences from both the new and old.

 

[Zanie]

Thanks for responding, Svanstrom. Fingers crossed that somebody else will turn out to have had a similar experience to mine.

 

[costica1234]

Can you upload a picture showing us the blurry fonts? It would be best to take a picture of the upper left corner with the apple logo and menu bar options like “File”, “Edit” etc. Try to also take a screenshot of that area and upload it here, too.

 

[Zanie]

Can you upload a picture showing us the blurry fonts? It would be best to take a picture of the upper left corner with the apple logo and menu bar options like “File”, “Edit” etc. Try to also take a screenshot of that area and upload it here, too.

Thank you for responding. I wish I had taken screen shots but it is too late now because the supply agreed to a refund and I've sent it back. I was hoping to find out from here whether other people have this problem with the newer macs, and what is a better alternative if clear fonts are your priority rather than excellent video and picture quality.I would go back to Android if there's no reliable newer alternative in Apple products.

 

[svanstrom]

Thank you for responding. I wish I had taken screen shots but it is too late now because the supply agreed to a refund and I've sent it back. I was hoping to find out from here whether other people have this problem with the newer macs, and what is a better alternative if clear fonts are your priority rather than excellent video and picture quality.I would go back to Android if there's no reliable newer alternative in Apple products.

I have a similar quality display as the newer iMacs myself, so I was pretty sure I'd find a software/user fault in your setup; because "blurry" is so not what I would expect anyone to say about these displays.

At the end of the day using any device comes down to a personal preference, and even an improved device can seem "less" if one's not used to it; but… the iMac display is actually very good quality.

 

[R1PPER]

It can take 2 weeks for your eyes to adjust to a new monitor. My 2017 27" imac is very comfortable now but i had to turn on all the blue light filtering and alot of monitors that use IPS can cause massive eye strain. I now put every device into eye safe mode and it really helps. Not sure if this is related to the blurry font but might help? I also use a dark grey flat colour wallpaper. Another pro tip to help with eye strain.

 

[Zanie]

It can take 2 weeks for your eyes to adjust to a new monitor. My 2017 27" imac is very comfortable now but i had to turn on all the blue light filtering and alot of monitors that use IPS can cause massive eye strain. I now put every device into eye safe mode and it really helps. Not sure if this is related to the blurry font but might help? I also use a dark grey flat colour wallpaper. Another pro tip to help with eye strain.

Thanks Ripper, that is really interesting to hear your experience. I wish it was possible to rent a monitor for a couple of weeks before buying. Maybe I don't get on with IPS, that is worth following up.

 

[Zanie]

I have a similar quality display as the newer iMacs myself, so I was pretty sure I'd find a software/user fault in your setup; because "blurry" is so not what I would expect anyone to say about these displays.

At the end of the day using any device comes down to a personal preference, and even an improved device can seem "less" if one's not used to it; but… the iMac display is actually very good quality.

I agree, it is astonishing to find a font 'blurry' on such a good quality monitor - I could hardly believe it actually! All the graphics and photos and so on were great quality.

 

[R1PPER]

Did you go with the Nano glass options as I've heard that can be "blurry". Also, don't hesitate to return a monitor for eye strain you can tell quite quickly as the front of your head gets floaty and can cause nausea. I also had to return 3 new TVs and settled on a Philips Ambilight that gives me no issues. But I'm hypersensitive to this issue
The 2011 iMac is very comfortable because of the anti-reflective matt screen, but blue light night shift mode really helps on the new iMac. I have it set on permanently.

 

[svanstrom]

I agree, it is astonishing to find a font 'blurry' on such a good quality monitor - I could hardly believe it actually! All the graphics and photos and so on were great quality.

Well, I actually think it might have just been a combination of the settings and how you experienced things.

I'm sort of leaning towards that maybe the display was just set too bright.

That would absolutely make all photos absolutely pop; but reading text might be hard, especially without dark mode.

 

[Zanie]

Did you go with the Nano glass options as I've heard that can be "blurry". Also, don't hesitate to return a monitor for eye strain you can tell quite quickly as the front of your head gets floaty and can cause nausea. I also had to return 3 new TVs and settled on a Philips Ambilight that gives me no issues. But I'm hypersensitive to this issue
The 2011 iMac is very comfortable because of the anti-reflective matt screen, but blue light night shift mode really helps on the new iMac. I have it set on permanently.

I didn't know the 2011 had an anti-reflective matt screen, and that could account for how comfortable I find it. I am very sensitive to this issue too, and sympathise with having to return TVs because of it - thank goodness you were able to.