Any other former PC users find the transition to OS X font rendering/smoothing a bit rough, especially on an external monitor? I didn't notice it so much on the HR AG display of my MBP, but even after color calibration and forced font smoothing the 24" 1900x1200 HP ZR2440w seems just a smidge away from crisp. Maybe the less compressed resolution makes the particularities of OS X more apparent than on the 15" 1680x1050 HR AG? Whatever the case, my eyes feel a little strained.
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Getting used to font rendering/smoothing in OS X
- Thread starter chaseychasem
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Yes, I've noticed it too, but as you've stated - only on an external monitor.
It might has something to do with a low pixel density...
It's rough on a 1920x1200 24'' HP monitor, but it is fine on a rMBP (obviously) and also on a TBD.
It might has something to do with a low pixel density...
It's rough on a 1920x1200 24'' HP monitor, but it is fine on a rMBP (obviously) and also on a TBD.
OS X and Windows use different strategies for sub-pixel rendering:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2012/04/24/a-closer-look-at-font-rendering/
Windows hints the font to fit in the pixel grid, this means slightly sharper edges at different font sizes at the expense of fidelity to glyph shape:
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2007/06/font-rendering-respecting-the-pixel-grid.html
When I moved from Windows, to be honest my first impression was that I much preferred the OS X font rendering. Although I program, I'm also a typography geek and hated Windows sacrifice of the glyph on the pixel grid alter. I did have to find a good font and font size for programming, however writing in a word processor was not an issue as changing view results in much better legibility IMO (the font design is actually used, not mangled). This is a subjective preference, and lots of Windows users hate OS X font rendering. EDIT: on the other hand enough windows users love OS X rendering that there are several projects completely replacing cleartype, for e.g. http://code.google.com/p/gdipp/
Note that as pixel density increases, the OS X method becomes clearly superior. Glyph rendering on OS X on the rMBP is amazing, you can see very subtle differences in the font design, and it is buttery smooth to read.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2012/04/24/a-closer-look-at-font-rendering/
Windows hints the font to fit in the pixel grid, this means slightly sharper edges at different font sizes at the expense of fidelity to glyph shape:
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2007/06/font-rendering-respecting-the-pixel-grid.html
When I moved from Windows, to be honest my first impression was that I much preferred the OS X font rendering. Although I program, I'm also a typography geek and hated Windows sacrifice of the glyph on the pixel grid alter. I did have to find a good font and font size for programming, however writing in a word processor was not an issue as changing view results in much better legibility IMO (the font design is actually used, not mangled). This is a subjective preference, and lots of Windows users hate OS X font rendering. EDIT: on the other hand enough windows users love OS X rendering that there are several projects completely replacing cleartype, for e.g. http://code.google.com/p/gdipp/
Note that as pixel density increases, the OS X method becomes clearly superior. Glyph rendering on OS X on the rMBP is amazing, you can see very subtle differences in the font design, and it is buttery smooth to read.
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At "standard" PPI, I definitely prefer Windows font rendering. Much easier on the eyes. At sufficiently high PPI, OSX looks great, though I don't have enough experience with Windows at high resolutions to draw any conclusions there.
Why would it be better on a TBD? I avoided the latter because of price, and also because I don't want a mirror for a monitor.
P.S. Thanks for your responses, everyone, but I'm familiar with the technical reasons/philosophies behind differences in rendering/smoothing between Windows and OS X. What I'm wondering is whether I'll get used to these, and whether the feeling of eyestrain will dissipate. Screenshot attached as well, zoomed-in webpage.
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