My Dad has vision trouble using his laptop. I know I can increase the DPI. But would an external monitor be a better way to go?
He has had a cornea transplant and two cataracts removed.
The notebook he's using has a 16inch screen running at 1280x800. OS: Windows Vista -- The DPI options he has available are the default and 120.
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M$3 Answers
Using this method has a few advantages over increasing the DPI and using the magnifier. Increasing the DPI can cause certain applications to write text larger than the area is that is meant to hold it, causing the text to run into areas that you can't read. Using the magnifier is a bit tedious and manual in my opinion. A decrease in resolution (stretched to fill the whole screen, as it will by default) is a much more predictable and stable method of enlarging text.
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M$
Also, try the Accessibility section of Control Panel before trying to change the DPI. It has a plethora of options that you can set, like large, high-contrast fonts, big icons, etc.
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M$
http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3883448&sku=A179-2240&cm_re=Homepage-_-Spot%2001a-_-CatId_12_A179-2240
When he is unable to use an external monitor, he can use the integrated Microsoft Magnifier
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/magnifier.aspx
Also, some of the Microsoft mice have a "magnifier button" so you can easily pull up the magnifier when needed.
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=041
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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mrnemo your answer was well thought out and excellent but wasn't the best solution in my particular case. But definitely good advice for anyone with vision problems. If I could pick two BEST answers I would of picked you as well. But since I can't select two I have tipped you the amount you would of received had I selected you as the best answer. The reason I did not pick your answer as the best is because I was looking for an alternative in case accessibility options like you mentioned in your answer didn't do the job. That's why I posted under the Monitor's section since I knew there'd be some good geeks with actionable knowledge. :) Thanks to everyone who answered. Thanks to Mahalo for having the best Answer space on the Web.
