Love my 11.6" MBA, but my eyes don't!

[ATHmathieu]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions all. I still have to say my issue is NOT with the resolution as I also use an IBM X60 12" Tablet with a 1400X1050 resolution (this is an IPS display). It's more of an issue with the panel type (TN). My eyes have no problem with IPS or even PVA displays, but TN just makes them ache it seems. Maybe it's an LED issue too?

I love this machine and it's sad to part with it now. Wish it were a IPS or PVA panel at least.

 

[Scott6666]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions all. I still have to say my issue is NOT with the resolution as I also use an IBM X60 12" Tablet with a 1400X1050 resolution (this is an IPS display). It's more of an issue with the panel type (TN). My eyes have no problem with IPS or even PVA displays, but TN just makes them ache it seems. Maybe it's an LED issue too?

I love this machine and it's sad to part with it now. Wish it were a IPS or PVA panel at least.

OK I'm dumb. What the heck is TN? And how does that compare to IPS or PVA (whatever they are)

 

[ATHmathieu]

OK I'm dumb. What the heck is TN? And how does that compare to IPS or PVA (whatever they are)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG7XNwbUYEM

 

[cbronfman]

What I've done

In system preferences:
- I increased the screen brightness to about 75%
- In universal access and set "text smoothing off for any font smaller than 12 font.
- Increased contrast.
[/LIST]

I sent Feedback to Apple about configuration of iCal to allow setting font color (on my MBA it's blue on blue.

I'm uncertain about downloading and using Busycal in case in screws up my syncing. I haven't yet upgraded iCal on MM since it doesn't allow or screws up syncing with Entourage which I use on my mini and will probably start using on my MBA unless I can enhance event visibility in day view.

 

[kp98077]

same with 15" mbp

I have eye strain even with my 15 inch mbp...i believe this is inherent in mac systems as the screens are bright. my 11 bothers me no more than my 15!

It does make sense, which is one of the reasons I ordered the 13-inch, 4GB, 128GB MBA because I will be looking at the screen all day. Couldn't be happier with the purchase

 

[gwsat]

I have eye strain even with my 15 inch mbp...i believe this is inherent in mac systems as the screens are bright. my 11 bothers me no more than my 15!

Both my 17 inch MBP and 17 Powerbook G4 before it never caused any eye strain for me at all. My 13 inch Ultimate MBA is decent, too, but I am a bit more aware of my aging eyeballs with my 13 inch MBA than I ever was with either of my 17 inch Macs.

By the way, top posting really is regarded as bad form and is distracting to posters who are both aware of the conventions of this community and courteous enough to observe them.

 

[robby818]

I prefer to run native res. on my display but what I do to deal with eye strain is use the No Squint plug in Firefox (110% Global setting). Since I am in the browser 90% of the time this is enough for me.

For my parents, I just set the res. to something lower. It's sad to run a 27" iMac at anything but native, but it can't be helped.

 

[dmgoldman]

a few more suggestions

Here are a few more things that helped me immensely:

(A) Safari>Preferences>Advanced Tab: "Never Use Font Sizes Smaller Than 14". This makes some page layouts wonky, but you don't have to zoom in on each and every page. !!!

(B) People haven't mentioned word processing, but I'm guessing that's a major use case for the 11'' Air. It is for me, anyway. "Pages>Rulers>Default Zoom 150%" will make documents (including ones e-mailed to you) default to being pretty well zoomed in.

(C) This is weirder: Flux will make your display's color temperature much warmer (more yellow than blue) at night. The colors aren't accurate, but for writing I find it's a little easier on my eyes.

Hope all this helps!
D

 

[Dammit Cubs]

yeah this is my only worry right now. To be honest, i have been using this computer on/off all day at work for the past 5 days and I haven't noticed the issue of my eye strain. I feel some eye strain now but i think its more of a ....I slept for 16 hours...not that the mba 11 has a 138ppi.

There are times when I wish i had a 13 inch screen just because bigger is better but at the same time. The size of this guy is just unreal, even compared to the 13in. People who say there isn't a difference and its 0.6 pounds haven't truly used it. Try taking your 13 inch through an airport compared to a 11inch. Trust me, that 0.6 pounds gets heavier with each step.

For most people, seriously guys, if you are on your macbook for more that a couple hours (11in)...then maybe if you are home, just plug it into a monitor. The point of a laptop is to have THE OPTION. but it does come with a mini display port. USE IT.

 

[smaug]

The fonts can be a little small, but those are just the default ones. Change the minimum HTML font size in mail to 14 and then adjust the font sizes in your other programs.

For Safari, this extension is excellent:

http://www.wannseii.com/safarimagnifier/

I have it set at 105% at it just slightly increases the font size in safari for much greater readability and no site wonkiness.

 

[freitas]

You can scale the display on mac. Makes a big difference. See this hint.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1041265/