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tbb07

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 6, 2011
24
0
Basically, I want to reduce the amount of pixels on the screen (not pixel density), so it would be like I'm using a 21inch instead.

Can this be done? I thought an extra 6inch would be a steal, but it turns out to be more a burden.

Thanks!
 
Where you located? I'll trade you, i just bought mine last week, heh.
 
simsa: Wouldn't lowering the resolution just make everything more pixelated? I'll have to try that out when I get back to my dorm.

jwm2: I'm at Penn State University Main Campus. It'd be very coincidental if you lived nearby :O.
Also, I'd rather have a Macbook Pro 13in-15in now that I need the mobility :(.
 
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simsa: Wouldn't lowering the resolution just make everything more pixelated?

Pretty much. You could try tweaking with accessibility settings and font sizes to keep everything as un-pixelated as possible. Lowering the resolution will make that gorgeous 27" look like it's from 2001 :(
 
Basically, I want to reduce the amount of pixels on the screen (not pixel density), so it would be like I'm using a 21inch instead.

Can this be done? I thought an extra 6inch would be a steal, but it turns out to be more a burden.

Thanks!

I just got one and had to lower the resolution to 1920x1080. After using it for about an hour at the highest resolution my eyes began hurting. I took a break and they kept hurting for a few hours. I tried sitting back from the computer as far as I could comfortably but it just wouldn't work, maybe my eyes are sensitive. Since I turned it down though its been fine and I still think the screen looks beautiful.
 
I just got one and had to lower the resolution to 1920x1080. After using it for about an hour at the highest resolution my eyes began hurting. I took a break and they kept hurting for a few hours. I tried sitting back from the computer as far as I could comfortably but it just wouldn't work, maybe my eyes are sensitive. Since I turned it down though its been fine and I still think the screen looks beautiful.

Same thing happened to me. It will take a new user ~ 2 weeks to get used to the higher resolution. Afterwards, you will be enjoying your newfound real screen estate just like any other monitor. Now, I can stare at my screen all day and not feel tired. :)
 
After having my 2011 27" iMac since June/July, I now think that it's somewhat small. Though, I initially thought it was massive when I first got it however, after all this time with it, it's fine for its size but I do wish it were 30"+ at this point.

My biggest complaint about having a display this size is that software and web site developers aren't making their products resolution independent and taking complete advantage of every pixel available to them. It sucks that everything is still coded for 1024×768 displays while modern displays generally surpass that resolution. And it's not enough for me to simply hit "command +" to use more of the screen, the moment you do that the objects on the screen become pixelated and look terrible.
 
BIG Resolution = tiny text

The Problem is that the resolution is so massively large that when trying to do any kind of Coding the Text is so small I have to get closer to view it.

I have found using the Command + function helps a lot, but some apps dont support the zoom features.

I may look into the DPI settings as well. But I agree with the original complaint, it's weird to suddenly have to squint at smaller text due to ginormous resolution.

I am starting to think 1 21" iMac + 2nd monitor for dual screens would be better.
 
I find the 27inch way too big too. My neck hurts when using my brothers one for an extended amount of time.

The 21" with the i7 would be perfect if they at least provided an option for a 1gb gfx card.

I really hope the iMacs come with 1gb cards as standard in the next model, it would be slightly criminal to have a 512mb card in 2012 on a £1000 computer :(
 
The Problem is that the resolution is so massively large that when trying to do any kind of Coding the Text is so small I have to get closer to view it.

I have found using the Command + function helps a lot, but some apps dont support the zoom features.

I may look into the DPI settings as well. But I agree with the original complaint, it's weird to suddenly have to squint at smaller text due to ginormous resolution.

I am starting to think 1 21" iMac + 2nd monitor for dual screens would be better.

Totally wrong.

If you think your text is small, the problem is not the number of pixels (the so called "resolution") but the size of the pixels ("pixel density" measured in Dot Per Inch, dpi)

The iMac 21'' have a dpi of 102, the iMac 27'' have a dpi of 109. Almost the same thing.

So, the text on iMac 21 will be pretty much the same size as on the iMac 27.
 
simsa: Wouldn't lowering the resolution just make everything more pixelated? I'll have to try that out when I get back to my dorm.

jwm2: I'm at Penn State University Main Campus. It'd be very coincidental if you lived nearby :O.
Also, I'd rather have a Macbook Pro 13in-15in now that I need the mobility :(.

I live nearby (20 min away) but seeing how as I have dual 27 inch screens (which still doesn't provide enough real estate) I don't think you'd want to trade with me :p

How big is the desk you are using it on? If its a small desk or one in a dorm it will probably feel overwhelming at first but you'll get used to it. On a larger desk they don't feel so big. (See pic to see what I mean)
 

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The Problem is that the resolution is so massively large that when trying to do any kind of Coding the Text is so small I have to get closer to view it.

...

What are you writing your code in? Every code editor I've ever used has an option to increase the editor's font size. Won't that resolve your problem?
 
I just got one and had to lower the resolution to 1920x1080. After using it for about an hour at the highest resolution my eyes began hurting. I took a break and they kept hurting for a few hours. I tried sitting back from the computer as far as I could comfortably but it just wouldn't work, maybe my eyes are sensitive. Since I turned it down though its been fine and I still think the screen looks beautiful.

Sounds like you need glasses.
 
Imac 27 Overall height

Had the 24" iMAC for 3 years and then upgraded in Oct to the 27" iMAC.

About a month later, my neck would hurt after using the iMac for over an hour. this has been going on for about 4 months.

did some research, my desk height is 29.25, i am 5'6" and with the 27" i felt that I was looking up at the monitor when viewing the upper part of the screen or the menu bar

spoke with the manufacture of my desk (they are not in the US) and suggested that i try a monitor arm.

Tried the humanscale M8 this week and its will designed however i did not want to have the arm holding the monitor. in addition the Apple VESA plate install was a pain.

Called the desk manufacture and they suggested that i cut the steel legs. However was concerned about that .

Did some research and found a machine shop to to cut the legs (we removed 2") and its working perfectly now. The overall desk height is 27"
 

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We're you wowed by the screen size from 24 to 27? Was it noticeably different?
 
You can increase font size ( CMD + ) in many applications, or as suggested above lower the resolution.

First time I have ever heard a complaint about a 27" screen....I love mine.

Do a little research. There are lots of conversations about this.

I just sold my 17" Macbook Pro yesterday because of a similar problem .

Set a 17" hi-res MBP next to a 15" MBP, and the text is larger and easier to read on the smaller 15" MBP.

Don't really need a laptop, so I figure a desktop would serve me better.

I was considering the 27" iMac ( I have a 24" but giving it to my son ) but have been looking into this, and it seems to be the same thing in the 27" iMac.

Apple could have, and should have done a better job in this area.

I might just end up coming home today with a Mac Pro but that is a costly alternative.
 
iMAC ergonmomics

As i have noted went from the 24 to 27 and with the higher resolution you have to cover a lot of space on the display by moving your head.

if you are looking up at the monitor you may run into issues (as I was) when using the native resolution

Options

1. Run the iMAC at a lower resolution

2. Put it on a monitor arm

3. Lower the desk height.

The bottom line from my message is that I wish the iMac had an adjustable height.

However research the section "viewing Angle–Height and Side-to-Side" from the OSHA web site at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/components_monitors.html

I lowered my desk by 2" and the 27" is now perfect.
 
If you are still within a certain period of time (14 days i think) you can return it without any fees and you can get a smaller one or try getting a mac mini and choose the screen size of the external monitor to what suits you.
 
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