Confused about resolution and screen size...

I was on these boards a few months ago, and was contemplating getting a Macbook or not. After putting it off because I was unsure if the screen would be too small or not, I am back. I just have a quick question about resolution. Currently I have a 15.4" Windows notebook with a resolution of 1280 x 800. Coincidentally, the Macbook has the same resolution except with a smaller screen. What does this exactly mean? Does the Macbook show the same amount of text as my Windows machine except smaller? I would really appreciate it if someone could explain this to me. Thank you.

 

Screen resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen. So in the case of the MacBook it has 1280 pixels horizontally and 800 vertically. So yes the MacBook will show the same amount of text as you Windows notebook and it will be a little smaller generally. I would go to an Apple Store or Best Buy in your area and look at the MacBooks and see if you can live with the text size.

In all honest, in OS X it seems to not be a real big deal, but definitely check it for yourself.

 

Do note that since there are more pixels per inch on a Macbook screen than the screen on your 15.4" Windows notebook, the text would also look sharper on the Macbook screen.

 

Ella, what makes you come back? Vista experience?

 

Actually, I never switched to Vista. I have had the same XP notebook for awhile now. I'm coming back now since I want to try the Mac OS and see what everyone loves about it. Still, I am a bit unsure. Maybe some reassurance will help.

 

I think there's nothing to worry about, really! Mac OS X is not as foreign as some people make it seem, you'll get used to it really quickly, and most likely you'll wonder why you didn't switch sooner .

 

That is definitely true. That was the same question that crossed my mind when i first got my macbook, "why didn't i get this earlier"?

 

Does anybody need to squint when they look at the text since it it is smaller? I'm very concerned that I won't feel comfortable using the Macbook. I'm sold on the OS now though.

 

If the text appear too small, you could just up the DPI of your OS. Since icons in OS X are high quality PNG and not low quality ICO (as in Windows XP), turning up your DPI will not cause your icons to become all blurry as it would in XP.

 

I'm fine with the default text size right now. But my dad has trouble seeing the words if its at the default text size.

 

Ella, I hasitated 2 months and wasted a lot of time on research. I am more than happy with my MacBook Pro. All these little things in MacOS X make me more productivy.

 

I have no problem seen text on 13.3" screen with 1280x800 resolution. I even think that it's the best for notebooks. 15.4" with 1280x800 looks too grainy and higher DPI screens, for example 17" 1920x1200 looks too small. Notebook screen view from shorter distance than desktop monitor so grainness is more visible.