Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Using full screen zoom on Windows Vs Mac? (self.Blind)
submitted by L-ectric
I've been considering such OS to go for in a new comparer. Full screen zooming features are an essential tool for me and have been trying to find our how each OS handles it.
At the moment I'm leaning towards Mac as the controls seem less clunky, has plenty of varies options for shortcuts, many customisations for how magnification works and some nice hardware integration with things like trackers. It also just appears to work more fkuidply which I find pretty important so as not to lose my bearings on screen. Sudden jumps in magnification tend to do that to me.
But I wanted to hear what others had to say? Maybe I'm missing something on Windows? Autos be great to hear feedback.
Thank you
At the moment I'm leaning towards Mac as the controls seem less clunky, has plenty of varies options for shortcuts, many customisations for how magnification works and some nice hardware integration with things like trackers. It also just appears to work more fkuidply which I find pretty important so as not to lose my bearings on screen. Sudden jumps in magnification tend to do that to me.
But I wanted to hear what others had to say? Maybe I'm missing something on Windows? Autos be great to hear feedback.
Thank you
RagingRoman01 4 points 1y ago
I’ve used both before and they perform similar for what I do. I’m a full time software engineering student.
I use windows more than I use macOS. I think zoom is much more refined and performs well, but I don’t own a Mac anymore so I don’t have a choice but to use magnifier. The tracking on magnifier works well but sometimes it jumps to a random corner on the screen. It also never tracks when I’m typing on google docs.
I love the way you can zoom in on Mac with the scroll wheel, but the keyboard shortcut on Mac isn’t my favorite. Windows scroll zoom isn’t as good but the key commands are much easier for me.
Overall I think either one works and I don’t find it difficult moving from one to the other. Zoom is much more refined and magnifier is just good enough. They both get the job done.
I use windows more than I use macOS. I think zoom is much more refined and performs well, but I don’t own a Mac anymore so I don’t have a choice but to use magnifier. The tracking on magnifier works well but sometimes it jumps to a random corner on the screen. It also never tracks when I’m typing on google docs.
I love the way you can zoom in on Mac with the scroll wheel, but the keyboard shortcut on Mac isn’t my favorite. Windows scroll zoom isn’t as good but the key commands are much easier for me.
Overall I think either one works and I don’t find it difficult moving from one to the other. Zoom is much more refined and magnifier is just good enough. They both get the job done.
MostlyBlindGamer 4 points 1y ago
As a Windows and macOS user, I agree. One trick I can suggest for the magnifier on Windows is to set the magnification steps to something tiny like 10% and use CTRL + ALT + scroll for smoother zooming.
On macOS, the trackpad controls are fantastic and super smooth. On the other hand, it's a more visual OS, which encourages more mouse use than Windows.
On macOS, the trackpad controls are fantastic and super smooth. On the other hand, it's a more visual OS, which encourages more mouse use than Windows.
L-ectric [OP] 4 points 1y ago
Easy control and fluidity really helps with workflow. I know both nature use of a lot of keyboard shortcuts and combinations though I guess you could always map some of them to mouse macro buttons.
The Mac&s ability to quickly magnify text temporarily with a single hey also looks useful.
Ideally I think I need to try our both systems and get a feel for it. I'm trying to get in connect with different organisations g who might be able to do it.
The Mac&s ability to quickly magnify text temporarily with a single hey also looks useful.
Ideally I think I need to try our both systems and get a feel for it. I'm trying to get in connect with different organisations g who might be able to do it.
MostlyBlindGamer 3 points 1y ago
The cool thing about macOS is all the built-in accessibility features like that. You can get that on Windows with an extra program like ZoomText, but you have to pay for it. With a Mac, you pay for all of it upfront and get it wrapped up in a fancy aluminum box.
I'd go to an Apple Store or a big box retailer, if you can. If you tripple-press the Touch ID button, you'll get a window with all the accessibility features.
I'd go to an Apple Store or a big box retailer, if you can. If you tripple-press the Touch ID button, you'll get a window with all the accessibility features.
RagingRoman01 2 points 1y ago
I agree. Go to an apple store and ask the employees for help. If you get an experienced assistant, you shouldn’t have any issues. Mac is great for straight out of the box use. My next laptop will definitely be a macbook because of this reason alone.
I’m not really a big fan of zoom text but I know why it’s appealing to people. So if you want to try zoom text you can go to any blind organization and they’ll have it in all their computers. If you end up wanting windows with zoom text you can get voc rehab to pay for it.
I’m not really a big fan of zoom text but I know why it’s appealing to people. So if you want to try zoom text you can go to any blind organization and they’ll have it in all their computers. If you end up wanting windows with zoom text you can get voc rehab to pay for it.
RagingRoman01 2 points 1y ago
I didn’t know you could do that for scroll zoom. When I was on Mac the zoom animation was so smooth and responsive. The one on windows is really choppy. So I just stick to using the keyboard commands on windows.
kaishawna 3 points 1y ago
I currently just started using NVDA on my Windows computer. It's pretty neat and is free. I did try the magnifier once on my computer but it wasn't helpful.
achromatic_03 2 points 1y ago
I used Windows with Zoomtext and Magic for a long time even after college and for work, but once I switched to Mac, I could never go back...unless Windows gets better. The Mac zoom is so fast and smooth compared to windows and like others mentioned, there are also other very user-friendly accessibility features that are even customizable if you want to change what keys you use. The mouse pad gestures are also amazing and give you a speed edge, which I think we need, being visually impaired and having a more limited field of view.
L-ectric [OP] 1 points 1y ago
That's the kind of thing that's important to me. I don't to interrupt my workflow too severely when adjusting my accessibility Settings. Do you mainly use a mouse? Keyboard? Trackpad gestures?
achromatic_03 2 points 1y ago
I use a mix, so zoom is just a trackpad gesture while holding control, but I'm pretty sure you can change the key if you want. I also like to invert the color (but go back to regular for some things), which is a quick keyboard shortcut ctr+shift+i. The trackpad gestures I find most handy are the swiping between full screen apps with 3 fingers since I can't use double monitors or you can actually put one app on each side of your monitor now. I also like swiping up with 3 fingers to show all apps and command+tab to quickly switch between apps. Overall, I feel that these gestures and keyboard shortcuts in general allow me to keep up with my coworkers just because most of them don't know about them!
L-ectric [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks so much for the info. One last thing, what size screen so you use? I've been thinking about what autos be the most comfortable. I fear 13 inch might be too cramped with zooming and screen scaling applied. The bigger devices area lot more expensive but I'm used to the reality of having to spend more to facilitate my vision better.
achromatic_03 2 points 1y ago
My personal is MacBook pro is 13" and my work one is 15", which I connect to a 27" monitor. My vision is about 20/180. For cost, my work bought me the MacBook as a reasonable accommodation, though most people at my company are on windows and I use a remote desktop for apps that aren't on macOS. Otherwise, I probably could have opened a case with the state to get it covered. I did purchase my 13" on my own, though.
Laser_Lens_4 2 points 1y ago
If you’re going to use Zoom, get a Mac. It’s nowhere near as good on windows, and zoomtext is proof that Jesus legally changed his middle name to Fucking.
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