Author Topic: Ergonomics of screen sizes? (Read 2074 times)

Raven · « **on:** April 13, 2018, 04:34:34 PM »

As a semi retired graphic designer, I have had my iMac 24 inch since 2010. Overdue to be upgraded. I’ve been deliberating now whether to go to a 21 or 27 inch iMac. I'm on my iMac 5-10 hours a day.

Over the past year I have been getting a stiff neck and headaches. My chiropractor tells me to get away more from my computer. I think there is something wrong with my posture that I am trying to correct. All the pain disappeared when I went away for holidays for a few weeks. :-)

With this issue, I'm wondering which size screen for me?...
—21” is smaller than what I am used to. A lot of screen space is needed for my palettes in InDesign, Photoshop, etc.

Images and text will be smaller to read... Will higher resolution overcome that?

Will a smaller and lower screen change my body and neck position and reduce pain?

— 27” screen is beautiful BUT will I be looking UP at it all the time? My work chair is as high as it can go.
The screen has no lowering option, me thinks.

Will I be scrolling with my trackball a lot to reach different parts of the screen?

Any advice in this area?

OS X 10.10.5

dakota · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2018, 07:47:33 PM »

I can relate. I am using a 27 on my kitchen table, and found my lower back and my neck were being affected. I finally bought a ChiroDoc Coccyx cushion and it has helped immensely with my posture and my neck. There is a cutout for the coccyx, so there is no pressure constantly being put on the spinal cord. It raised me about three inches from the seat of the chair, so I am not constantly looking up. It also has a USB connection for heat, which I have not tried yet. Amazon has it for about $30.00.

dakota · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2018, 07:53:34 PM »

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G2ZITS...=UTF8&psc=1

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2018, 11:17:40 PM »

Sitting a long time in front of any sized screen is bad for you posture. Period. A larger screen could help by forcing you to move your head. You've got muscles for doing that, use them. Get cushions, various thicknesses. Change when you use them. Don't sit longer than 63.7 minutes at a time. Get up, go outside, start some exercises that get your upper body moving. Ergonomics is more than how high the chair is. And bad habits are hard to break, but you can do it.

Raven · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2018, 04:11:03 PM »

Dakota, interesting suggestion. Thanks!

Ergonomically, I've read that ones eyes should be aimed 17-18˚lower from horizontal. Having a cushion MIGHT do the trick for me for a 27" screen.
You'd think Mac would have a screen stand that could be adjusted for height.

Will a 21" retina display screen provide as sharp and clear images, text and InDesign palettes that are smaller than when viewed on a 24" iMac with lower resolution?

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2018, 05:00:06 PM »

"You'd think Mac would have a screen stand that could be adjusted for height." They did, it was nicknamed the iGloo.

[attachment=3541:IMac_G4_sunflower.gif]

It also swiveled left/right. Have used a Rain rotating base ever since then.

Modern, high res monitors, even 21" ones are much heavier than that cute thing. I don't know of anyone making a vertically adjustable, all in one computer. The only way I know to do that is with a special desk top, with a section that can move up/down or with an expensive wall mount.

High "Resolution" monitors, at least those used with macOS, base text on points not pixels, so palettes, properly constructed, don't shrink. Who knows how Adobe does things.

Their latest version of PSE (2018) is still not 64 bits.

Paddy · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2018, 05:04:33 PM »

QUOTE(Raven @ Apr 14 2018, 05:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dakota, interesting suggestion. Thanks!

Ergonomically, I've read that ones eyes should be aimed 17-18˚lower from horizontal. Having a cushion MIGHT do the trick for me for a 27" screen.
You'd think Mac would have a screen stand that could be adjusted for height.

Will a 21" retina display screen provide as sharp and clear images, text and InDesign palettes that are smaller than when viewed on a 24" iMac with lower resolution?

Raven, go for the 27”. I work with Lightroom, Photoshop, and InDesign a lot, and I have never for a moment regretted the larger screen. It’s gorgeous, and the screen real estate is really easy to get used to!!

I went from a 24” screen with my old Mac Pro to the 27” iMac, btw.

Highmac · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2018, 02:39:46 PM »

Lately I've had to use the 15in MB Pro. Lovely computer, but a nightmare trying to copy and paste text into page layouts. Just hobby stuff, nothing professional like Paddy's.

I can't emphasise too strongly how keen I am to get the 27in iMac back from the repairer. It replaced a 24in G5 which was good, but I'd agree with Paddy. You can't have too much real estate

Edit: The larger screen actually helps you keep your head moving which should reduce the risk of neck pains. I'm not a doctor, however, so don't take that as a medical opinion

eric j · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2018, 03:49:04 PM »

Bought a 27“ iMac a couple of years ago. At first I could not read text because of impaired eyesight. The few standard screen resolution adjustments failed to enlarge text enough so I reverted to my Mac Mini -
with an Asus PA248Q 24.1’’ Wide Screen IPS (16:10), non-glare monitor.
It is height-adjustable and can swivel, also offers 4 USB ports.

Perhaps a similar model as a second monitor to your iMac would solve your problem?

Disclaimer: I have no connection to Asus.

(BTW, only later I discovered that additional screen resolutions were available on my iMac by using the shift key)

Raven · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2018, 10:36:23 PM »

ok. You've got me interested!
:-).
I will look up the cost for refurbished 27".

Isn't there a return option if I don't like it?
( too large of the screen!]

Do you find yourself having to scroll too much to use different palettes from left to right on the screen?

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2018, 07:50:21 AM »

Scrolling or actually moving from one place to another can be greatly enhanced by adjusting the sensitivity or speed of the movement with the mouse/track pad System Prefs. If you've never used a large monitor, you've probably never thought about changing the default settings. You can try it out, right now, no matter what size monitor you have.

Raven · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2018, 01:56:58 PM »

Thanks XAirBusMacDriverExtraordinaire!

jcarter · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2018, 07:12:31 AM »

We had one of those swivel ones too. It was very adjustable. My husband is thinking of a new 21 inch iMac, as he doesnt use photoshop or any photography applications. He has an adjustable chair, but bought a big donut-like thing for more comfort and height. It works very well, he has a bony butt too! Not enuf padding like we gals have. These screens are very adjustable too, font size and all sorts of ways to change viewing ability. We have a 27 in the kitchen which we can stand and use, as I dont like to sit for prolonged times. Tho my photoshop 27 machine is in my computer room, with an adjustable chair, and a big old sofa pillow if I plan to sit for a longer time.
The new iMacs have some really beautiful screens!

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Author Topic: Ergonomics of screen sizes? (Read 2074 times)