Fonts with LCD on PowerMac grainier than PowerBook LCD

The LCD, most likely. The only thing I could think of that might be to blame in the OS is the setting at System Preferences > Appearance > Font Smoothing Style.

Trevor

I assume that the LCD you are using with the PowerMac is a much larger screen than on the PowerBook. Is it possible that the graininess is just a result of the scale factor, so that imperfections become more obvious to the naked eye? Font smoothing, as suggested, might be a factor, but I wouldn't think it would be a major one.

Joe VanZandt

It's the same diagonal size, 17", though the aspect ratio is different. The PB is 1440x900 widescreen, the other is 1280x1024 4:3 aspect. Overall the external monitor is a bit larger, though I didn't think it was that much more. You could be right though.

I turned font smoothing to Max (from "automatic"), didn't seem to change anything. Overall I find Apple's font smoothing to be about useless, unfortunately. Guess it's just something to live with, not a big deal, just wondering.

One thing about this NEC, it's unbelievably bright and sharp. Maybe that's the other problem; it sharply shows the jagged edges of fonts.

Just got a call from Apple, logic board needs replacement too, means I won't have my 17" until some time next week. At least that will solve the random video problem I've always had.

Can't help for the font issue, though I think the finger has been put on the right issue... Your Nec monitor, since it shows items bigger (as its in 1280x1024 which has every thign show up bigger) and makes the images sharper your probably just noticing this more.
I offer my condolences for your PB though... Real hard to work without your own machine for a while. Its like having a rental car while waiting for yours to come back...

Haha, yes, I remember my rental car for two weeks after I got rear-ended last year. It was great, but it wasn't mine. And I have more electronics in my truck than on my desk...

I have to say, Mac OS makes this 100 times more acceptable than Windows though. I simply put the image of my PB on the PowerMac, and was up and running. A few prefs didn't work any more for some reason, but overall it was quite painless. The chances of that working with Windows is less than 1 in 20.

Hmmm, maybe there's a pattern here... My rental was a Dodge Ram 2500 turbodiesel, the closest thing they had to my Ram 1500. I ended up buying a 2500 turbodiesel because it was so nice. Now I'm thinking about ditching my PB for the PowerMacs because they're so fast...

lolll... Hoping there are no energy shortages around your place with the way you switch to "More power" ! :D
(does this remind anyone of an old show ??? ;))

I turned font smoothing to Max (from "automatic"), didn't seem to change anything. Overall I find Apple's font smoothing to be about useless, unfortunately.

I *think* (although it's not clear to me) that the font smoothing doesn't take effect until you restart.

Trevor