Time for a bit of an "intermediate" report on my quest, should it be helpful in any way to anyone.
I've had a chance to compare the Apple 20" and 23" side by side and, to my aging eyes, the 20 is absolutely dazzling. BIG and beautiful and competitively priced (finally!). BUT, the question remains, will wp fonts be as easy for the recipient's eyes (which, also, are . . . uhmmm . . . "mature) to discern? The "real" fonts appear awfully small, however sharp.
Ironically that issue was addressed in letters in a forum that Harv found for me, where the discontinued 22" was compared to the new 20" and the continuing 23". Resolution-varieties aside, the physical number of pixels per inch are different only in the 22, now zipping out of stores at fire sale prices (which I have apparently missed). It is specifically noted that makes fonts larger and easier for "seniors" to perceive.
A couple of other notes.
Apple's easel support, I have decided is, in fact, "better" for us than a pedestal support, since I have always believed that the so-called ergonomic data one sees published, re: montior viewing, is simply wrongheaded. I've never seen anyone hold a book/newspaper/typrwriter!/whatever up to "eye level" to read and compehend (as many presumed authoritative computer-setup diagrams imply). Especially w/bi-tri focals, having the screen situated "normally" for reading, i.e well below "eye level" is far more comfortable and the Apple pedestal would facilitate that.
The "boot-in-9" vs Classic issue (w/the new 20" only) was simply wrongly described by a Jobs' minion at the Palo Alto Apple store . . . i.e. WRONG! To my genuine distress. If they can't get it right, how are we amateurs to do so? (I could, 'cause the trusty Pendragon has been looking over my shoulder, so to speak, during this quest). All the way from Maryland!
The truth?
It depends. Some G4s, depending on their video cards, will boot in 9.2.2. some will not. Ours apparently will. This is important because we have some really old word processor apps (and archived files to match) that require 9.2.2 (not Classic) to open successfully. (Fie on you, untrained Apple Store employee and associated inept management!)
Connectivity (w/o extra expense, that is) is a given with the Apple TFTs. Not so with many of the competition. Also, IAWK and sokukodo about reports of Formac's reputation for service. Lots of personal reports decry it.
So there you have it. I have yet to make a decision - - given the font-legibility questions remaining - - but the search for data is certainly a lot more interesting than reading a single review somewhere. Thanks for all the help to this point. Any other observations are absolutely welcome.
[ 02-19-2003, 12:12 PM: Message edited by: RHPConsult ]
