Dell XPS 15 - font size issues

Hello all,

I'm trying to configure my new dell xps 15, but what I'm having the most trouble with is font sizing. The default font sizing on the 1920x1080 screen is causing incredible eye strain, but if I use the standard change text size option under 'Getting started', and bump it to 150%, it just leaves menus blurry, not larger and equally defined. Can anyone help me with some preferences that will reduce the eye strain? Thank you.

 

You should set the dpi to 125%, this will give you a good balance between screen estate and being able to read text.

 

Deleted my response because zenza above basically gave the same response as me.

 

Also, if you use Firefox you can get the plug-in NoSquint. You may have to download directly from the website to get vers 2.0.5, that works with the newest Firefox.

 

I prefer it small but sometimes if I need it bigger, I just zoom in using pinch zoom on the trackpad.

 

I'd be interested to know if this solves murk650's problems. Might try it myself when it arrives.

 

David1274: I use something similar for chrome, an extension called AutoZoom. It works great and allows you to scale different domains to a preferred size.

Unfortunately, I find the 125% to cause a bit of eye-strain. I just wish there was a way to have 150% sizes, with 125% fidelity. Why does the system blur text and fonts when I increase the size? I'm sure my screen is more than capable of displaying large font without blur. Any other ideas?

 

murk650: You can set custom magnification to whatever you want. I read in some blog, don't remember where, that you can go up to about 140% before fonts get bad. On my desktop, I've set a custom magnification to 105%. On the XPS 15 (received only today), I've left the FHD at its default value of 125%.

 

How about trying NoSquint in Firefox and seeing if it allows more than the 125% of Autozoom with Chrome.

 

You can also try and calibrate the ClearType, that may help with the blurriness of the 150dpi.

Not sure.

 

How do I go about calibrating the cleartype? And I'll try firefox and post about it later.

 

hit Windows key type 'calib' u'll see on top of menu saying "calibrate display color"

that'll do

 

No, that doesn't calibrate ClearType.

Type in "cleartype" it should display "Adjust ClearType".

 

Will this interfere with f.lux? If you don't use it I highly recommend it. It's a gamechanger in reducing eye strain.

 

my b. wrong one..

 

Sad to say but so far, having a similar issue I would suggest: try a different notebook and NEVER buy this without looking at the screen. What people say about it being fine and great is bull. Maybe it's fine for higher DPI, but if you don't want to have a higher DPI, really think about it. Extra space is great, but letters are so small so I'm not even happy with that space. What's good in it if it's uncomfortable. I don't know what I think about it yet, but seems like I feel eye strain and I don't like it so far.

Be warned, if somebody wants this for doing graphic work and wants more pixels, I would try 17" notebook maybe, or think about having not so much pixels and buying an external monitor instead.

 

I mean the way I see it now, eye comfort is more important for work than having more screen real estate. You can buy real estate by buying another monitor (if it suits you), but you can't buy the comfort for your eyes after you go for this.

 

I set font size to 125% in Windows, installed NoSquint and set the same value there. Everything looks perfect to me.

 

You dont need to download any extensions for chrome. You can just go to preference>under the hood>and change zoom from there.

 

125% in Windows worked for me except in Firefox.

For Firefox, I did this tweak:
Enter about:config and change string "layout.css.devPixelsPerPx" to a higher value - between 1.0 and 2.0. I'm at 1.1 now, and it's pretty good without distorting pages.

 

Guys do the following:

1.) Leave the res at 1920x1080 (default)

2.) Leave the DPI at 125%, any higher and you'll start seeing artifacts, and its better to do the next step then mess with the DPI trust me.

2.) Set the default zoom in the browser to 120% (I use Google Chrome) so every page will open at this zoom level.


And you're done. Text will be easily readable.

 

actually i did increase the DPI to 125% , but there is a problem ,in many notification and alert boxes , the text didnt fit the box .

I dont think we can have a readable , but still best fitting text , unlesss the resolution is lowered.

I am now using 100% DPI and almost used to the screen text .. now and then , i do have to strain the text , but not a big problem

 

Interesting, I have tons of programs installed on my XPS and haven't experienced what you've mentioned - could you provide a screen shot?