[cc6000]

I am a noob in the mac world. I just ordered a MBP 17" yesterday with the High Resolutions screen. Now I am worried that the display would be too small to read. Since there are more pixels in the same 17" screen, and each letter is still the same number of pixel in size, wouldn't the letter get smaller?

Has anyone seen a High Resolution 17" screen and can give me some feedback? I think I can still change the order if I act soon.

Thanks.

[onlyone-jc]

You're right. Everything will look marginally smaller. However, depending on what you're using it for, that resolution, and therefore workspace, could prove invaluable. If you're going to be using your new Mac for anything like video editing or photography, I think you'll appreciate the additional resolution a lot.

However, it's still your final decision! You can make system fonts larger, and fonts larger by default in the web browser you use (although, this may disturb some website layouts somewhat).

What a great Mac to start on!

Good luck,
onlyone-jc.

[starman]

I'm so used to 1920x1200 on my PC laptop that it doesn't bother me, and with Leopard, it won't make that much of a difference.

Enjoy!

[cc6000]

Originally Posted by onlyone-jc 

You're right. Everything will look marginally smaller. However, depending on what you're using it for, that resolution, and therefore workspace, could prove invaluable. If you're going to be using your new Mac for anything like video editing or photography, I think you'll appreciate the additional resolution a lot.

Mostly photo editing... Thanks for the reassurance. I was thinking and worrying about it all night... so I am going to keep the order. BTW, I ordered the 7200 rpm drive and that is delaying the shipping to 4 to 6 weeks vs. 2-3 days.

[mduell]

Just about every app from Firefox to Word will let you increase the font size or zoom.

Or you can run it at 960x600 if you're feeling blind.

[markponcelet]

...and of course, you can always use the built-in zoom feature of Mac OS X. Hold down your control key and roll your mouse wheel forward (or use two fingers on the track pad and drag upward). You can zoom way, way, way in. I just tried it and made my cursor large enough to take up a third of the height of my screen.

You can continue to use your computer while zoomed in, too. The screen will simply remain centered on the position of your mouse.

It's strange, but this is now one of the most valuable features of Mac OS X for me -- and I can see just fine. It's just super convenient to be able to zoom in on a picture or video or (if I'm leaning way back in my chair) some text.

[chipchen]

You should be fine. Plus you can change the text size in a lot of apps (like safari)

[thefourthtenor]

I just purchased a 17inch MacBook Pro this afternoon from the nearest Apple Store... and it definitely wasn't the High Resolution screen. Is there anyone out there who would rather opt for the 17inc MBP without the High Res screen? I kind of feel retarded, almost, for rushing into this purchase (out of excitement) and not taking advantage of an upgrade that I may regret not taking advantage of in the future, if leopard (like windows vista) will require higher specs to work properly.

Ha, knowing that I have more real estate than before (previously with a 15inch) is great... but the realization that well... i could have had more (yeah, that may sound ridiculous) makes me feel kinda crummy, cause for $100 the 30% (additional area) may have been... worth it?

Opinions?

(ha... im typing this off of the 17inch right now and started getting frustrated at how small the text was... so I enlarged the font in firefox a bit. so I guess that may be one reason?)

[chipchen]

I think, ... if you already think the text is small, you should keep your machine.

Leopard and Vista will not -need- higher resolutions screens.

it's a matter of preference and for some video people so they can watch their work in full HD.

I think you're ok.

[Cadaver]

1680x1050 is a fine resolution for a 17" screen, IMHO.
I find it amusing how many PC laptops have 17" screens at 1280x800 or 1440x900. Gah!

For me, 1440x900 is the absolute bare minimum I can comfortably work in. Any less and I can't get enough windows open to be productive (too much switching back and forth). Thinking about moving from a 15" MBP (Core Duo) to a new 17" MBP for the 1680x1050 screen. Mobility is my main concern. I don't do tons of travel, but still, I do take the laptop to work and back a couple times per week.

[Velocity211]

Originally Posted by Cadaver 

1680x1050 is a fine resolution for a 17" screen, IMHO.
I find it amusing how many PC laptops have 17" screens at 1280x800 or 1440x900. Gah!

Most 17" Powerbooks had 1440x900 res screen, until the last generation of Powerbooks.
But when leopard comes out, high resolution won't be a problem at all.

[alex_kac]

so using my new high res screen - its all awesome. I LOVE IT.

[olePigeon]

No worries. When Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard comes out, the GUI will be independent of the resolution of your screen. You'll appreciate the higher resolution because that means more pixels per square inch for your icons and other visual elements, which will mean a sharper display.

[alex_kac]

Leopard will support full Res Independance, but its yet to be seen if it will still be user enabled or not.

[Man-in-Black]

Being a relative newbie in the Mac world (Nov 2006), I am still learning a lot about OS-X. Thanks MarkPoncelet! I never knew about the zoom with the control key and mouse wheel. AMAZING!!

Anyone know of a place on the forum where I can find a 'tips and tricks' sticky??

Once you go Mac you never go back!!

[ddma]

Originally Posted by Man-in-Black 

Being a relative newbie in the Mac world (Nov 2006), I am still learning a lot about OS-X. Thanks MarkPoncelet! I never knew about the zoom with the control key and mouse wheel. AMAZING!!

Anyone know of a place on the forum where I can find a 'tips and tricks' sticky??

Once you go Mac you never go back!!

Welcome to Mac World. Here is the link from Apple.com where you can browse a lot of useful tips:
Apple - Pro - Mac OS X Tips