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ClearType

Posted: May 01, 2002

Patented ClearType® display technology provides the Great on-screen readability on multiple platforms. ClearType allows for improved display clarity by 300 percent on standard LCD screens.

Microsoft believes that for electronic content to appeal to serious readers, on-screen readability must approach the quality of the printed page. That's why we invented ClearType display technology and built it into Microsoft Reader. Patented ClearType improves resolution on LCD screens by up to 300 percent to deliver a print-like display. The following comparison shows the dramatic benefit that ClearType brings to electronic text.

ClearType screen shot

This is how an "m" is supposed to look. This is how an "m" is supposed to look.
This is a close-up of the "m" when rendered without ClearType. Notice how the "m" has hard, jagged stair-steps or "jaggies" in the stems, or legs of the "m." This is a close-up of the "m" when rendered without ClearType. Notice how the "m" has hard, jagged stair-steps or "jaggies" in the stems, or legs of the "m."
This is a close-up of the "m" when rendered with ClearType. Notice how the "jaggies" are much more subtle and the letter is rendered more smoothly. This is a close-up of the "m" when rendered with ClearType. Notice how the "jaggies" are much more subtle and the letter is rendered more smoothly.

If the text you see in Microsoft Reader is not crisp and clear, you may need to adjust the contrast on your Microsoft Reader device. To learn about optimizing ClearType in your version of Microsoft Reader, please refer to Microsoft Reader Help in version 2.0, or see the Guidebook in earlier versions of Microsoft Reader.

Read more about ClearType on the ClearType section of the Microsoft Typography Web site , or see how ClearType makes everything you do in Windows XP Home and Windows XP Pro easier to view on screen.

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