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  • On Arch-Linux xfce, eye strain problem is gone (unsure)

Maybe way to force 24-bit color in OS X.

Just checked and I'm running 1440x900 scaled at 32-bit color depth.

Do you notice any quality issues running at lower color depth? If not this could be the fix for people sensitive to dithering.

I have no problem with it however.

    Also, 99% of TN desktop monitors use dithering, although it's done in hardware so it's barely noticeable.

    And if what you said about color depth eliminates dithering it should be able to be done running Windows directly on the MacBook

      Interesting, there was another thread that using linux was causing more eyestrain then windows...
      Using Linux Mint so curious why for each? Maybe different causes?

      JTL 😃 Yes, quality issue exists: viewing a gradient image like Gradient Test Page, it shows few bands, but in OS X no bands at all. And Linux does poor OpenGL support, so I can't surf webs smoothly like in OS X. And touchpad completely died(😱).

      I forget to mention that in Linux, there is a way to disable dithering in Xorg configuration.

      And I'm not familiar with Linux/Terminal, please kill me!! It's hard to use

        JTL Yes, agree. I think on Windows there is also a way to solve eye strain by forcing it to 24bit on Macbook.

        vinkenvvt Heh. I mainly use Linux as a server OS then a desktop OS.

        Wouldn't disabling dithering cause issues as it is used to compensate for the displays lack of a full color range? I say this as you mentioned you mentioned seeing banding on that color test page.

        vinkenvvt I forget to mention that in Linux, there is a way to disable dithering in Xorg configuration.

        how?

        Linux terminal (bash) isn't hard! Just different (and really, really efficient once you use it for awhile) 😃

        I have photophobia (and I'm pretty sure I have other vision related problems as well) and a typical WIndows user. When I first installed Ubuntu I also felt a lot of headaches. I solved the issue by disabling anti-aliasing.

        Keep in mind that this didn't solve my headaches / migraines. I still have them, it's just that now they are (only) as bad as they are on Windows, and not twice as bad, as they were originally with the vanilla Ubuntu installation.

          helloworld Hi. The distro I installed is Arch-Linux and Xfce4 window manager. The main reason I feel eye-painless is that linux's color depth is not strong as other Operating System I guess, I think Color Dithering is turned off by default on linux. But the disadvantage is obvious that I can't watch colorful images or videos like before, because they have banding.

          And because of my Macbook Pro, linux heats up quickly so I don't really want to switch to Linux. I'm still using Mac OS X.

          Dithering color is major problem that causes eye problem! As much as I know, there is no way to disable it on Mac OS X. But it's possible on Windows and Linux. Try Google something like "turn off Dithering Windows", you might find some of clues. (I haven't found a solution for myself 🙁, I'm still searching .)

          Have a good day

            vinkenvvt changed the title to On Arch-Linux Xfce4, eye strain problem is gone! .

            I still get small eye strain in Linux, using the X Server and in some cases at the command line, too.
            I believe it is a driver issue, because I don't have any problems in Windows using the same hardware.
            I could only test my NVIDIA card and my Raspberry Pi, but they both produce the same effect in various Linux distributions, including Arch.
            Raspberry Pi on RiscOS: no eye strain at all, but it is not a usable OS.
            NVIDIA + deprecated "nv" driver: no eyestrain, but at the same time no hardware acceleration

            Maybe the Intel Iris Pro GPU has "better" drivers. I would love to test it, but a new CPU means new mainboard, new RAM, and, in my case, a new case + power supply unit. That is too much for just a test that might not be successful. When I have to upgrade my PC in the future, I might have a look at Intel GPUs.

            Well vinkenvvt do you have ever tried installing an other linux (mint, ubuntu)? and disabled dithering in the xorg?

            does that also help you? or is this just your arch-linux-xfce64 experience?

            Same question as in the apple thread 😃

            And has anybody a working soluton for disabling dithering in windows?

              I think disabling dithering is going to be specific to the graphics card..
              Looking at this link shows how to disable it for AMD, but with having intel, doesn't help me at all.
              If we could compile a guide on modifying xorg for major graphics cards... Nvidia, AMD, Intel, etc... that could be a extremely useful resource. Maybe something on here? http://wiki.xyzz.work/wiki/Disable_dithering_linux

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