I have a Sony 18.1 (MD-81) LCD monitor. The optimal resolution is 1024 x 768. In Os 9.2.2 that resolution is just right for my eyes. However, when I switch to OS 10.2.x (x =4 or 5), for the same resolution, I get a mcuch larger icon size (I can even see the individula pixels in the icons) and the desk top "picture" does not fill the monitor as it does when I am in OS 9 (there is about a 1/2 inch dark band at the top of the screen). This sort of indicates that in OS X, the system treats the monitor as though it were smaller physicall than it is.
To get back to normal in OS 10.2, I have to go to a much finer non-optimal resolution ( ~ 1280 x ~1024) where the icons are very small and the text is very difficult o read. Yet, in OS X, 1024 x 768 is one of the recommended resolutions.
I am totally puzzled by this problem. My video board is I believe is an AGP ATI ( Apple Syatem Profiler says - Type: ATY, DDParent; Name: Atty, Bluestone Parent; Model ATY, RV200; and Vendor ID: 1002) with 32 MB of VRAM. By the way, I run a dual 1 GHz G4 with 1.5 MB of RAM.
I have a gut feeling this is another one of Apple's cut tricks to ensure that you buy an Apple monitor to get best performance.
Anyone have any ideas? As it stands now, I cannot operate in OS 10.2.x due to strain on my eyes.
Thanks,
MamaMoose