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144 Making a 14" laptop readable for someone older?
We need to replace an older Skylake laptop by 2025 due to the fact it will not run Windows 11, so it has an expiration date at this point. While I know I’m a few years early, I want to get ahead of the curve a bit and have a game plan.
So far, I know what I want for RAM and storage, and where I’ll compromise (I’d really like to get a machine with 16GB using 2x 8GB SODIMM modules, with a soldered RAM disqualifier but I can accept 8GB as well since I’m being super particular about not having soldered RAM). For the SSD I’d like to get one with 512GB, but again I’m willing to concede a bit to 256GB as I’m disqualifying anything with soldered storage in any capacity. Lenovo has been totally disqualified, no matter what.
I’ve talked to this person and shown her what a 14” machine is like to use, and she has considered the idea, but the panel is smaller than she likes. However, I scale mine down a bit to use the panel as efficiently as possible with a custom scale which I mentioned (170-175%, depending on the laptop if the standard scaling doesn’t work), and shrink the taskbar down with small icons. If I can scale it up a bit, I think I can make it work for her a bit better without going to 15”. However, I’m not totally opposed to 15” but for a daily machine they’re not really as well balanced which is why I’m leaning towards a good FHD 14”.
In this case is it possible to scale up Windows on a 14” machine for someone older who wants the larger screen for viewability or is it sound like I’m going to need to look at a 15” system for her? I will still want the FHD screen on a 15” machine; I’ve tried to accept 768p, and it scales roughly compared to a FHD display every time.
@jayeff this is where I applied my scaling:
Is this a good question?
6 Comments
Hi @nick ,
Have you thought about Win 10 Settings > Ease of Access > Display settings to adjust the screen? Unless this is what you used when you scaled yours down?
by jayeff
@jayeff I scaled down in display preferences.
The issue I have with 768p LCDs is they even use them in premium models to this day; once you get to the $800+ price point, it becomes unacceptable to put such a nasty screen into a laptop like that. I just find it easier to rule out anything with 768p to be safe.
by Nick
Hi @nick
Does she need to travel with it? If not, why not just get a desktop with a 24" monitor or larger?
I mean it would be cheaper, easy to see screen and very easy to upgrade and repair. Repair and upgrade wise laptops are a masochists's dream come true. There is a thing about age and that is that your eye sight generally gets worse as you get older.
by mike
@aactech Yeah I talked to her and shown her 14 vs 15" as I have an old 15" Asus X53E from 10+ years ago that's beyond repair (economically, not physically). She thinks 14" is too small but sees the utility in the machines as a compromise between a cramped 13" or a heavy 15". They are 95% similar of a common 15" laptop, honestly - hence why I wanted to do it. The compromise is marginally lower end CPUs and GPUs and no numpad.
The issue with a desktop is we can't do it easily due to the setup, so laptops are easier where she uses hers. She currently has a Y700-17ISK.
I've accepted the compromise due to my needs - I don't travel often, but I want a compact machine for some places for specific meetings -- 14" is the happy medium between 13" (which I find too small) and 15" (too heavy for travel).
by Nick
@aactech For brands I'm going between HP and Dell; the issue with Dell is I need to ensure the wireless card isn't soldered because they do it on some of them on the business and consumer sides. Lenovo is out due to the CPU vendor locking nonsense; I'm not supporting them again after that. I'd rather see !&&* freeze over and pick a consumer HP. I've told her I'm not going cheap, nor am I buying her a Zbook 15 especially when I have a fair bit of executive authority. I'm using it.
HP really doesn't partake in that nonsense and a lot of them are checking my boxes well (FHD IPS, 16GB RAM*, 512GB SSD**, fully modular wireless, RAM and SSD).
*I'm willing to compromise at 8GB if need be, but that's because I'm nixing anything with even partially soldered RAM.
**Again, willing to drop to 256GB due to refusing to touch anything with a soldered SSD.
by Nick
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