High resolution problems

Microsoft had revealed how Windows 8 is going to adjust with high screen resolutions and sizes, ranging from the cheapest 1366×768 (112 PPI) laptops to 2560×1440 (291 PPI) tablets, and those in between this range. Windows can properly deal with pixel densities above 96 PPI. The fixes for Windows 8 problems with high resolution apply only to Metro Interface of Windows 8 and not the conventional desktop.

There shall be three different “Zoom” levels in Windows 8 for the Metro interface, new Start screen and Metro apps. They are: “100%, which represents an 11.6-inch 1366×768 (112 PPI) display; 140%, which represents a 11.6-inch 1920×1080 (190 PPI) full HD display; and 180%, which represents a 11.6-inch 2560×1440 (253 PPI) WQHD display”. Most of the desktop monitors fall under the 100% category which is a 27-inch 2560×1440 display is only 109 PPI. Whereas, many laptops and tablets will use the 140 and 180% Zoom levels.

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Creating a scalable app is in fact easy for the developers. And if you provide the vector graphics, then Windows 8 will take care of everything else for you. Otherwise, for each of the three zoom levels, you just need to provide bitmap images. The scaling of interface elements will be automatically managed by Windows. Metro is mostly made up of rectangles and typography entirely, which are easily scaled.

In short, what the iOS does when it scales original iPhone and iPad apps for the iPhone 4 or iPad 3 with a Retina display will be done by

High resolution problems

the Windows 8. There is however, one distinguishable difference that, with Apple devices, the image simply has to be doubled in size (scaled 200%) because of the fixed aspect ratio and screen sizes. This is easy and convenient to do and does not have any risks of graphical anomalies involved. But the Windows 8 problems are that these are not easy in Windows 8, because, when you scale a 32×32-pixel icon by 140%, you will finally end up with 44.8×44.8. This will be then rounded up or down to 45 or 44 respectively. The same happens in the case of 180%.

Though it will not be noticeable for icons, websites with CSS etc will show certain Windows 8 problems with navigation bars, text wrapping, layouts etc.

That’s all for now; have a nice day!