FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 048 (25/03/97)

SCREEN GEMS

I am finding my 14-inch Tatung monitor, used with an upgraded P75 PC, a little on the small side, especially when viewing web pages. I therefore wish to buy a larger size monitor. What should I look for? I have noticed when reading adverts that most monitors are described as having a dot pitch, typically between 0.24 to 0.28mm, does that matter? Some monitors have an aperture grille, what does that mean?

R. M.

A

Before you do anything check that your PC’s video card can support resolutions greater than 800 x 600, otherwise you’ll see little or no benefit with a larger screen. The way monitor screens are measured can be confusing. Manufacturers normally quote the diagonal distance between the corners of the tube, and not the visible screen area. The size of the display on many 14-inch monitors is actually closer to 12-inches. It’s a good idea to take a tape measure, when shopping for monitors...

The general rule of thumb is the bigger the better. 15-inches is considered to be the minimum size these days, however the cost of 17-inch screens continues to fall and they’re becoming very popular. The image on a 17-inch screen is typically 50% larger than a 14-inch display. Colours looks brighter, text is sharper and it can help relieve eyestrain, especially if you’re stuck in front of a VDU for more than a couple of hours each day. 

Dot pitch is the minimum distance between the light-emitting phosphor dots on the inside of the screen. It’s comparable with the grain in a photographic film, the finer the grain, or dot pitch, the sharper the picture. Aim for a dot pitch of 0.26mm or less, particularly if you’re going to use higher resolution settings. The Aperture Grille was originally developed by Sony for their high-performance Trinitron tubes, as an alternative to the shadowmask, used in most other types of cathode ray tube. Essentially it is a thin metal plate, perforated with slots (a shadowmask has holes). This arrangement allows the coloured phosphors to be packed closer together, in vertical stripes, which results in crisper, more vibrant colours. Trinitron (and Mitsubishi Diamondtron) tubes have vertically flat faceplates, which also helps to improve the geometry of the display . 

MAC POWER

Later this Summer I’m going  on a business trip to America, lasting for five weeks.  I’ll be taking my Power Mac with me, will I need a new power supply? Is it easier or cheaper to buy one here, or should I wait until I get to the US?

A. H. D., Norwich

A

The Power Mac, in common with a lot of products that use re-chargeable batteries, comes with an universal charger/adaptor. It automatically adjusts to the local mains voltage and frequency, and that includes the 110 volt AC 60Hz supply used in North America. Don’t forget to pack a power socket adaptor, and it might be a good idea to carry some proof of ownership. 

PENNYWISE PORTABLES

In your reply to CG of Anglesey (FFF 25/02/97), regarding laptop PCs, you mentioned  that prices of monochrome models start at less than £500. I have searched high and low, unable to find any selling for less than £1000. Could you name some companies, or indicate where to look?

B.L., Coventry

A

Admittedly they’re not given as high a profile as the latest all-singing, all-dancing colour laptops and notebook PCs, but they can still be found, if you’re prepared to do a bit of leg-work or phoning around. Companies that specialise in discontinued lines or surplus stock are a good place to start. One of the best known are Morgan Computers, who tells us they have regular shipments of mono laptops made by well-known manufacturers -- brand new in their original boxes -- selling for between £200 to £700. You will also find a lot of companies advertising cheaper, lower-spec equipment in magazines like Micro Mart

Contact: Morgan 0181-575 0075 or http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk

FAX FOIBLES

In January I brought a Packard Bell 9003D from PC World. After a couple of days I realised I hadn’t received any telephone calls, although I could make outgoing calls. This was eventually rectified, the wrong cable had been supplied. Now, after numerous telephone calls, and two visits from engineers I find I can send and receive faxes in the UK, and send faxes abroad, but not receive faxes from overseas. I want to leave the PC switched on, so I can receive faxes at any time. The PC is excellent in all other respects, but I find the fax part most irritating. I have twice faxed Packard Bell in the Netherlands, but these have been ignored. Any suggestions?

P.M.P., Uxbridge

A

If you can’t receive faxes from abroad how do you know Packard Bell haven’t been trying to get in touch? But seriously, you should continue to pursue the problem with PC World; as the retailer they have the final responsibility for ensuring the equipment functions correctly. Clearly there is still a fault. However, it may be that you’d be better off using a conventional fax machine instead. They’re usually faster, less troublesome and a lot cheaper to run, compared with leaving your PC switched on 24 hours a day. Some fax machines now have RS232 serial ports, enabling them to send and receive documents, directly to and from a PC.