Have later versions of Windows got clearer?

andrewandy

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Hi,

I was wondering as i have installed onto my Acer laptop (5750g, 8gb ram, i5 core) Windows xp
on a dual boot with Win 7, 8 and Ubuntu. I noticed with xp that the graphics most noticeable text
is not as clear and not in bold like later versions of Windows like 7 & 8. Has 7 & 8 got clearer and
brighter? With xp although it is nice to use this, It does give me a headache if i use for too long. It is
quite a relief to use Windows 8 again as it is easer to read as text etc is so much clearer and brighter

Andy :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 Release Preview
Its probably just using a different font, some fonts are just horrid and eye straining..

Could also be better video graphics either via driver or monitor..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 & Windows 7 Dual Boot
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    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP G60
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    AMD Turion RM-70 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ
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    MS Intellipoint 5 button (love it!)
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Yes, this is also from vista and up due to the ClearType technology that xp used primarily for LCD monitors. Boobtube monitors back then couldn't render crisp text that well unlike LCD screens, so ClearType was made to adapt UI fonts to such. By default, I believe xp didn't use that. I THINK an update along the way later on did so, but I'm not sure at all.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    ASUS
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    AMD FX 8320
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    Crosshair V Formula-Z
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    16 gig DDR3
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    ASUS R9 270
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
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    OCZ 500 watt
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    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Yes, this is also from vista and up due to the ClearType technology that xp used primarily for LCD monitors. Boobtube monitors back then couldn't render crisp text that well unlike LCD screens, so ClearType was made to adapt UI fonts to such. By default, I believe xp didn't use that. I THINK an update along the way later on did so, but I'm not sure at all.
Yeah, although ClearType is there in XP, I'm pretty sure you're right and it's not switched on by default.

@andrewandy you may therefore get better results by looking for ClearType in XP and switching it on. I can't remember exactly which option it lives in, but if you right-click on a clear patch of desktop, it's probably somewhere within those options (?).

Edit: Right-click in clear desktop, select Properties, then the Appearance tab within the dialog. Then the Effects button. You want the tick box for "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts" (and the drop-down just below it)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
In Windows Vista/7/8, Cleartype is already built in - You can install it to Windows XP and it will clear up your screen the same way.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
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    PC/Desktop
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    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
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    2 GB/3GB
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    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
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    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
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    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
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    "1842 x 1036"
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    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
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    Dell Keyboard
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    Cable Medium Speed
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    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
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