A couple of weeks ago, I happened to view my website on another computer. Man…it looked nasty! It was using Internet Explorer 6 (which is a crime by the way), but that wasn’t the problem. In fact, I was very pleased to see that everything aligned properly, even in the trashy browser. However, what made it look nasty was the jagged type. The fonts weren’t nice and smooth, but rough and square. The reason for this, is because it didn’t have ClearType on.
See if you can spot the difference. Here is what you might see if you’ve got ClearType off:
Here is what it looks like with ClearType on:
There is an evident difference. Now ClearType isn’t for everyone, but I personally think it makes everything look a lot better.
If you’d like to try out ClearType, just right-click on your Windows desktop, and click on “Properties”.
Then click on the “Appearance” tab, and then the “Effects” button.
In the Effects dialog, make sure the
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Added Commentary
By Jake
on 27.08.07
I will note that not all Windows computer seem to support ClearType. My main comp when I last used Windows XP didn’t, so switching to Linux on that machine at least made a world of a difference.
By David Boyd
on 01.09.07
All those poor people using Windows…makes my heart weep
By Armen
on 01.09.07
Jake - Good to see you here. I wasn’t aware that some XP computers don’t support ClearType. I wonder if it’s something that came in SP2?
David - I’ve thought about moving to Mac in the future, but I have my doubts about them. I think there is maybe too much hype; but then maybe that’s just because I’ve never used one extensively.
I have to say though, my Dell laptop has been extremely reliable for me for 15 months of solid heavy use.
Are you using a Macbook or what?
By David Boyd
on 02.09.07
I use an Apple Powerbook G4 …its the one before the new MacBook Pro. I’m wouldn’t go nuts telling everyone they need to get a mac but they are very good machines and I’ve always had much better experience using their machines than PC. Ya gotta admit, the new iMac is a beautiful PC, their designs are so clean, smooth and minimal…oh and it works too.
By Armen
on 02.09.07
To be honest David, I don’t really ‘get’ the iMac. I mean, it has the negative of a desktop (not portable), and the negative of a laptop (lack of upgradeability). I mean, if you wanna replace an iMac, you have to chuck out the screen as well! Maybe it’s just me though.
However, the new 15″ Macbook Pro is beautiful. I really wouldn’t mind one of those, but they’re still a bit pricey. The new Mac Pro’s are an excellent piece of kit too. I watched a video where the guy was pulling out internal hard drives and ram while the machine was on, and it never shutdown, froze, or displayed any errors which is pretty amazing.
By Nath @ Reformed Geek
on 03.09.07
David, I’d been keen to know your thoughts on the Macbook Pro. I really need to new laptop as mine is 5 years old and things a falling a part. We can’t really afford it at the moment, so we are saving and plan on getting one in the next 12 months (Lord and wife willing…
)
So yeah my Q is this. Is it worth paying the extra 2-3 K to get a Macbook Pro, or is there not that much benefit and I should instead spend 3 K on a normal notebook? I really would like to make the exodus away from PC and get a Mac. Both aesthetically and performance wise they appear a lot better - but I need some solid Pro’s before I can feel like I am being a good steward with our finances and spending a lot more for the Mac.
By David Boyd
on 03.09.07
Hey Nath …. no pressure hey! Well I bought my Apple PowerBook G4 from the apple refurb store online, making a saving of around 20%. I was looking for a cheap mac and this was the way I went. It came with a full warranty.
My main question is, what do you use your lappy for? I work as a webdesigner/online marketer/blogger and don’t play too many games etc. I use it all day everyday. If there’s any bible software like e sword that you might use, you should check if they have a mac version. However, you can run windows on a mac.
Anyway, to answer your main question - I think that making the switch and paying the extra is worth it. The MacBookpro is pricey but its a solid machine that’s worth it. Thats my thoughts.
By David Boyd
on 03.09.07
I’ve actually just posted on my blog about Mac’s. Take a look at http://daveyboyd.com/2007/09/03/imacs-are-the-product-of-creative-design/
By Armen
on 05.09.07
Nath - If you’d like to go the Mac route, think about what you’re going to be doing. Unless you’re into games, or very heavy video rendering and 3d work, one of the new Macbook’s would definately be sufficient.
It also depends what software you use. If you use expensive Windows based software on a regular basis, do you really want to spend most of your time in Windows on your Mac, with the alternative being, buy new software?
Remember, can get a powerful Windows based laptop for half the price of a Macbook Pro. As I indicated before, part of me would like to go Mac some day, but there are Windows programs I’d miss too much.
By Nath @ Reformed Geek
on 07.09.07
David & Armen, thanks for all your feedback. I still have a while to think about it and to save the money for it
I use it more like how David does, not much if any video rendering and I am not a gamer. So maybe the Powerbook would be fine - but I like the look of the Pro so much more. And you know, if I am going to make the change then I don’t want to go ‘half way’.
Regarding software. I uninstalled all my pirated stuff after becoming a Christian and now only use freeware software (Gimp, Openoffice etc). We are now looking at purchasing some software, so if we do we would wait till we got the Mac and then get a Mac version.
Thanks for the feedback - and when I am closer to getting a new laptop I’ll probably pick your brains some more!
Haven't you got anything to say?
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