[h=1][/h][h=1]New iPad’s Retina Display Reduces Eye Strain, Expert Says[/h]
We’ve seen how the new
iPad‘s ultra-high-resolution retina display can
improve the visibility of type and images, making the whole experience of interacting with the tablet more pleasing. But can it also ease the inherent strain that goes hand-in-hand with staring at a glowing screen, sometimes for hours on end?
Gary Heiting, an optometrist and associate editor of the site
All About Vision, says yes.
“A key factor in something that’s called computer vision syndrome, or just eye strain from computer use, is screen resolution,” Heiting says. “The new iPad, with twice the resolution of the iPad 2, 264 ppi (pixels per inch) instead of 132, people are going to notice less pixelation, especially in a small typeface. It’s not just an enjoyment issue or an aesthetic issue, but it’s definitely a visual comfort isue, over time.”
Why is screen resolution such a key factor? It ties back into the whole rationale for creating a retina display in the first place, which is loosely described as a screen so sharp that it becomes impossible for a normal person to resolve individual pixels when it’s held at normal viewing distances. As Heiting describes it, the closer you can get the screen resolution to be similar to the human eye itself, the better it’s going to be in terms of visual comfort.
SEE ALSO: Is a Retina Screen on the iPad Overkill?We all use our iPad’s differently, however, with some using it mainly as an book and news reader, others as a video hub and some as a gaming device (among many other uses). Heiting says reading is where users will get experience the most comfort benefit.
“For the typical user, it’s really going to be more about [type],” he says. “That’s going to put the greatest demand on their vision.”
The iPad’s retina display would also ease some of the eye strain of
playing games, says Heiting. Since games aren’t static like photos, they put more stress on the eye. Although the dynamic nature of games will always fatigue eyes faster than type, the upgraded screen can still help.
“When you’ve got movement going, that’s a whole new level of neurology involved in vision,” Heiting says. “So the greater clarity, the greater color saturation for gaming should make the new iPad significantly more comfortable on people’s eyes than the previous models.”
The term “retina display” first arrived with the
iPhone 4. At the time, some experts claimed
Apple was
exaggerating in its claims that the screen was more dense than the human eye could see. Now that the retina tent is expanding, it’s worth asking: Is it fair to call the new iPad’s screen a retina display?
SEE ALSO: Here’s How Apple Put a Retina Display in the iPadHeiting explains that it all depends on how close you hold the device to your eye. At typical distances — 12 inches for a smartphone, 15-17 inches for a tablet — Apple’s claims are true. If you hold your device closer, however, you may be able to see pixels. But he says you wouldn’t want to do that anyway.
“The closer you hold things to your eyes, not only the more your eyes have to focus, but the more they have to converge inwards. So it’s more stressful on your eyes, and your eyes are going to tire a lot quicker.”
At the normal distances for tablets, the human eye’s resolving power is about 240 ppi, which makes the new iPad’s 264 ppi a true retina display. He adds one caveat, though: That holds only for people with normal 20/20 vision.
“There are a lot of people who are capable of seeing more — people with, say, 20/10 vision,” Heiting adds. “That’s twice as good as what’s considered normal. If you wanted to cover those people, you may want to be around the 400 mark for ppi. Is that really going to be noticeable to 80-90% of people? Probably not.”
Do you find that you experience more eye strain on lower-res devices? And is it at all a factor in the gadgets you buy? Let us know in the comments.
[h=2]BONUS: The New iPad’s Retina Display Close Up[/h]
[h=1]9. Non-Retina App, Google Currents
[/h]Google hasn't yet updated its Currents news reader for the retina display, but as you can see here the type still benefits greatly from the extra pixels.
[h=1]9 Stunning Examples of the New iPad's Retina Display[/h]
http://mashable.com/2012/03/19/ipad...ashable)#544019-NonRetina-App-Google-Currents
