i5 vs i7 Processor

[hughvane]

Thanks ferrarr and Kenny, I am now using a 24" Samsung monitor, just arrived today, and the old mid-2010 Mini is kicking it along just fine. I'm enjoying the larger size, albeit in width rather than height. If anybody else is wearing graduated lens spectacles, and has older eyes (all due respect to HarryB - cheers mate), the lower-set S'sung (vs the older Viewsonic) is a boon! Viewing distance is between 54 and 60 cm (~18-24"). New Mini arrives tomorrow (Tues), an i7 with the 6-core 3.2.

 

[chscag]

I have graduated lens' in one pair of glasses that I have and they drive me crazy when in front of my 27" iMac. I find myself having to tilt my head up and down to properly focus on the screen. I also have a special pair of glasses that have a focal distance of around 30 inches which is what I use instead.

By the way, we call graduated lens glasses "no line bifocals" here in the US.

 

[pigoo3]

I'm enjoying the larger size, albeit in width rather than height. If anybody else is wearing graduated lens spectacles, and has older eyes (all due respect to HarryB - cheers mate), the lower-set S'sung (vs the older Viewsonic) is a boon! Viewing distance is between 54 and 60 cm (~18-24").

My suggestion would be since viewing distance from the monitor is basically fixed...use a single prescription pair of reading glasses specifically when computing with your new larger monitor.

- Nick

 

[hughvane]

I have graduated lens' in one pair of glasses that I have and they drive me crazy when in front of my 27" iMac. I find myself having to tilt my head up and down to properly focus on the screen. By the way, we call graduated lens glasses "no line bifocals" here in the US.

Sometimes I resemble one of those nodding head figurines one sees on car dashboards or on rear window ledges. My optometrist implores me to lower the screen to a line of sight approximately 35º below horizontal. I know I feel more comfortable using my laptop on a lower level work desk than with this Mini setup where mid-screen is about 10º below dead ahead. Not being a touch typist doesn't help either.

Interesting that the US still uses 'bi' when referring to multi focal, because I'm told the minimum number of visual levels is three, ie. close, mid and long range. That said, there doesn't seem to be a gradual and imperceptible shift from one focal range to another.

 

[chscag]

Interesting that the US still uses 'bi' when referring to multi focal, because I'm told the minimum number of visual levels is three, ie. close, mid and long range. That said, there doesn't seem to be a gradual and imperceptible shift from one focal range to another.

My glasses are actually as you say multi focal since they give me close vision, medium near vision, and far vision. Most optometrists here in the US now refer to those type of glasses as "progressive lens'". And by the way, they are much more expensive than the older type.

 

[pigoo3]

Have you ever put down your spectacles, wandered off to do whatever, and then forgotten where you left your visual essentials? Very trying.

As a matter of fact I do this all the time. I use two pair of single prescription glasses...one pair for reading & computing (one strength)...and one pair for everything else (driving, yard work, watching TV, etc.)...a different strength.


I have this "2-pair set" of glasses almost EVERYWHERE (bedroom, living room, kitchen, home office, etc.). And yes...they do occasionally get misplaced...lost...broken. Lol


- Nick

 

[pigoo3]

Apologies Hugh. I messed up one of your posts above when replying. That's why it's missing.:Blushing:

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

I also have a special pair of glasses that have a focal distance of around 30 inches which is what I use instead.

Actually a good pair of GLASS lens reading glasses from the local Drug Store/COSTCO Optical etc. of the correct magnification in the $20.00 - $40.00 price range (or less) work well for many, including myself.

Similar plastic lenses can be cheaper but scratch very easily.





- Patrick
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[chscag]

Staples and Office Depot sell computer reading glasses which are designed to focus at various distances from your monitor. They have a small reading card which you can use to read from using different strength lens. I generally use either the 2.0 or 2.5 power. They also sell reading glasses that are tinted to cut down monitor glare. Those come in handy when viewing a 27" or 21.5" retina screen.

 

[hughvane]

Goodness, MF could start a separate thread on Best Ways To View Your Monitor, subtitled Which Spectacles To Use. There's some very helpful material in this thread, particularly for we chronologically and visually challenged ones ;D [would you believe I'm reading this at close quarters with my specs off?]

 

[KennyC]

I too have reader's all over. Small word's just kill me. I still find myself leaning forward at times with my 24 screen. Really looking forward to the larger screen which I just found out that my delivery date has moved up to Thursday and can't wait.

 

[pm-r]

Goodness, MF could start a separate thread on Best Ways To View Your Monitor, subtitled Which Spectacles To Use.

Yes, actually quite an important topic for some and vital to others such as some legally blind Mac users I've had as clients over the years. I take my hat off to them but amazed as to how well they can cope and some of Apple's Accessibility prefs can certainly help.




- Patrick
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[hughvane]

I take my hat off to them ... some of Apple's Accessibility prefs can certainly help.

It took me about 5 minutes to navigate and/or to remember how to increase the size of the mouse cursor/pointer (Accessibility>Display). Apple hasn't made that facility easy to implement, but I'm grateful that it exists.

 

[pm-r]

It took me about 5 minutes to navigate and/or to remember how to increase the size of the mouse cursor/pointer (Accessibility>Display). Apple hasn't made that facility easy to implement, but I'm grateful that it exists.

I only need glasses for reading and most closeup work, but I've used the "increase pointer size" for years.

And for other's having problem finding the setting in Syst Prefs > Accessibility, as you say, it's in the Display settings for some odd reason and not in the Mouse settings.

From Apple's System Prefs Help menu for those who might want to enable it:

Magnify the mouse pointer
If you have difficulty seeing or following the mouse pointer when it moves, you can increase the size of the mouse pointer.

Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Accessibility.
Click Display then drag the Cursor Size slider to the right to make it larger.
When the pointer changes to an insertion point, crosshair, or any other shape, these shapes are also magnified.

For some old almost blind users there used to be an old System 9 utility called "Bigger" I believe that had even more visibility options, bit I don't know and haven't looked if something similar still exists. I'd be surprised if something current didn't exist, assuming Apple would allow the macOS to be modified by a third party!!






- Patrick
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[MacInWin]

When did Apple begin the "shake to enlarge" function for the mouse cursor? When I can't see it, I just shake the mouse back and forth and it magnifies until I stop shaking it. Under Mojave, it's in System Preferences, Accessibility, Display and is a checkbox to turn it on.

 

[pm-r]

When did Apple begin the "shake to enlarge" function for the mouse cursor?

El Capitan.

But I think that's only for use with the Apple mouse is it not???





- Patrick
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[MacInWin]

If it is, it's not clear that it has that restriction. It's in the Display section of Accessibility, and all it says is:

 

[pigoo3]

But I think that's only for use with the Apple mouse is it not???

Works with my Logitech roller ball input device.

- Nick

 

[MacInWin]

And it works with both the BT Apple Mouse and the wired Apple mouse. So I don't think it's mouse specific, or even interface specific.

 

[pm-r]

So I don't think it's mouse specific, or even interface specific.

It seems that's the case as it works with my wireless Logitech M705 USB dongle mouse with my MBPro. The enlarged pointer state is certainly very short lived and requires quite a violent mouse shake to get it to enlarge.





- Patrick
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