On Monday that was the start of this new week, my table lamp went down. I felt almost as blind as a bat that had lost its ears. So I went all over the place looking for the replacement tubes but nowhere could they be found. So half-sulking, I have to make do without the extra light next to my monitor till I decide to brace myself for another session of tube-hunting.
That brings to mind how reliant I am on this lamp. During the day when the light filters in through the blinds, all is fine. But when it gets into the night, the overhead lamp provides insufficient light for my computer activities. I have tried to tweak the brightness setting of my monitor. Yet, my eyes still feel uncomfortable no matter what through the entire range of brightness 0 to 100%.
How bright is your monitor? I am curious what your brightness setting is (I think the default is 50% brightness). Practically everyone I know seems to find no fault with the monitor brightness and I never hear of anyone needing an extra lamp like me.
So, is your monitor setting at 50% default brightness? Or have you customized it to your comfort? Or you never knew you could adjust the brightness? Or you knew but didn't know how to change it? And do you need an extra light like me? Or... ? Do share your thoughts. lol
[question posted by lordwarwizard]
responses and comments:
i have no idea what mine is set at but i do not have any problems even with the lights off the monitor lights the key bosrd up enough for me to see clearly what i am doing [barbie84]
The factory setting is 51? That's interesting. I would have thought they will place it in the middle, right smack at 50. Oh well. happy [lordwarwizard]
I think mine must be set to the default brightness and is plenty sufficient. Where my need comes in is for the extra light is for keyboard. I have a flat screen monitor though and I did have the brightness set different on my older tube monitor because it did seem to be darker for some reason. [ycanteye]
I am using a CRT monitor. Hmm.. maybe that's why it is not bright enough... I didn't know LCD ones are brighter? [lordwarwizard]
I hate it when my monitor brightness is too high I feel they really torture your eyes and I find it bugging especially when the surrounding light is dim as they affect the eyes adversely I feel> i know it because it has resulted in my eyes being bleary. however, I do use the monitor under normal tube light. Although the custom settings of the monitors were too bright for my sensitive eyes, I had to get the monitor...to be dimmer it has then been since the same....brightness level as I first set. What buggs me is when someone comes and tries to adjust the brightness that I have set according to my comfort... [djemba]
Yes... too bright or too dark is equally bad. Yet when I go to the in-between, I still find it uncomfortable for my eyes. sad [lordwarwizard]
I had never adjusted the brightness of my laptop monitor so probably it is on its default setting when I bought it. Aside from that, I don't know how to adjust the brightness of the monitor happybut I am satisfied at its setting now. Right now the other light that lighten my room come from the television and I don't have another lamp. I only use another lamp if i have to use the webcam in order for me to be visible to the other viewer.happy [joyce959]
Hmm... I am using a CRT monitor. I don't quite know how to adjust for the laptop too lol... if there is no physical switch (I don't remember seeing any), try to use the Windows in-built setting. I should think there is a way... no idea really lol. [lordwarwizard]
Hello lordwarwizard, Guess I found a good discussion that I can relate to, tonight. Well, I don't know what is the setting of my computer brightness. It is my husband's and I don't dare to change anything. But it seems, something is wrong with the monitor. I see pale color and almost every color seems almost black to me. Sometimes it is bright and colorful as usual and sometimes it seems like no colors to me... I am in the dark right now! [gr8life]
I agree that it is sometimes dangerous to change settings, especially for something not belonging to me. Maybe you can experiment if you want but remember the old one so that you can revert should there be a need. Your situation seems real bad... does your husband see the same thing? You can try to experiment with the brightness and contrast setting. If nothing works and both of you see it this way, I think the monitor might have reached its end. [lordwarwizard]
hahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahaha...... brightness??? dont ask me about my monitor....!! i m writing this post with only one colour ...greenish colour...!!! there is some problem with my monitor..... i have lost the red and blue colour of my monitor..only green is left... dnt have time to give it to repair....... i m using it...with only one colour.....can u believe....?? if u will show me some colour....i will say it is either black or white....hehe NOw say ..... whose problem is bigger......??????#####??? mine or urs.......??? [sandhyanair123]
Oh goodness... high time to change to a new one? sad [lordwarwizard]
Hi wizard! I had to go and check and as I thought it is set to just under at 48. The contrast is also more towards dark than light. I don't like bright lights staring at me. I prefer dimmed lights. I have a lamp on a shelf above me slightly to the right but it doesn't point directly to the monitor. It is set more to brighten up the keyboard just to make sure I don't make mistakes when typing although sometimes that doesn't stop them either blushrolleyes [mysdianait]
Da__, Wizard, after all these years of typing, I just now, courtesy of your comment, realized their were those Etchings on the F and J keys, God knows how many more blissfully ignorant years would've gone by without me realizing it. Wow, that's one of those things that humbles a person especially if their certain of their powers of observation or something... (shaking head) [DavidReedy]
I do have a bright monitor but I alo like to use the over head light it helps make the whole room bright! also much easier on the eyes never tried an extra lamp wouldnt know where to put it on my desk lol [Lakota12]
I guess I will get uninvited glares if I were to sit in front of your computer. I would be putting on sunglasses. lol. For me, the brightness is always the lowest until cannot go lower. In fact, the contrast is high too to fight the glaring. Guess I am accustomed to working in darkness. [whyaskq]
That big space? It is my monitor manifesting its presence in front of you. I didn't realised it went there. I was wondering where it had gone to. [whyaskq]
Mine was set a 50% brightness before but because I work in front of the computer for almost 16 hours per day, I noticed after some time that the monitor seems to be too bright for me and found it hard to concentrate working especially at night because it's too bright and it hurts my eye. Just imagine your screen has all white in the background (I often have word or excel open when working) it just adds up the brightness. Since I have adequate lighting when working on the computer, I adjusted the brightness to zero and it's still too bright. So I adjusted the contrast, no now my screen is a little dark but just enough for me to see everything properly. [kayefedilo21]
Hi kayefedilo21, Yup, I know what you mean. Too bright makes the eye uncomfortable too - like you can't see anything but light. Oh yes, excel is all white (and green) lol. PS.: Welcome to myLot! lol [lordwarwizard]
Hello lord, My monitor is at the default settings whatever those my be, I do not mess with it. My monitor however sits on a raised shelf because it is too big to fit on the desk proper. My living room is always unlighted except for the tv if it is on and the desk lamp at my computer. I need the desk lamp to be able to see the keyboard. I am not that good of a typist that I can do it without looking, I have to watch my hands like a couple of wayward children to make sure I am not making any mistakes and because for some reason I put thoughts together better that way. Would it be feasable to maybe mail order your needed tubes since you are having such a hard time finding them. Maybe you can check different stores through on line websites rather than physically going there. I do not know if that would be feasable for you but it is a thought. [sumofalltears]
Hello sumofalltears, I don't usually mess with default settings too. I have the idea that the default is the ideal for most people and so it should work for me lol. Not sure how true that is. Mail order... thanks for the suggestion but I doubt. This is not the first time I needed a replacement. The previous time, my Dad got it for me. He said he *thinks* it is found at XYZ place which is kinda far. He said he will check it out for me on Sat lol. [lordwarwizard]
Welcome back! I haven't seen you around mylot in a while! I have my brightness set very low! Everyone always complains when they use my computer they can't see it properly! But I discovered that if I have it too high then it sets off my migraines! [mummyofthree]
Thanks mummyofthree! Yup, I fell off the face of earth while I wasn't paying attention. I have the contrary situation here. When friends come over, they will complain it is so bright when I have the lamp on. They prefer to look at my monitor without the extra light $#@! rasp [lordwarwizard]
Hmmmm I hadn't really thought about this wizzy so I had to go check so that I could answer you! My laptop screen sits at 70% brightness and that is more than bright enough, when i unplug the power cord and it switches to battery power the brightness goes down to 55% and that is still bright enough! Maybe you should try taking the Sunglasses off when you are inside! lol wink xxx [mummymo]
I meant to come back and mention that last night wizzy but I forgot! lol I didn't know about this til I got this laptop last week - my 3rd laptop and I had no idea til I saw the little symbols on this one! hee hee hee I know on Vista as well that if you go into Control panel and windows mobility centre you can adjust it there too! Trust me to always do it the most complicated way! xxxx [mummymo]
I have custom set my screen to what is comfortable for me and most settings I must admit are around the 50% range you mentioned. I do know that I have brightness set about 60% though. As far as when I am using the machine I will always have an overhead light on when I am using the computer after dark. I really don't know if that is habit or necessity. I think the latter because I just don't as good after dark as I use to. [eeyore39]
Yea, I was hesitant when I said that coss I wasn't sure if you want to be normal lol. I certainly wouldn't ha! w00t [lordwarwizard]
I guess I didn't know you could adjust it...but it really doesn't need adjusting..it's fine the way it is...But I do have an extra light over my computer...it's easier on my eyes that way. [jillhill]
If it is fine, it is fine. cool PS.: Should be via some physical buttons on your monitor. [lordwarwizard]
i usually have it a bit dimmer than 50%.i have photosensitivity and if i have it up too high,i get a headache really quick.i do have to turn it up to work though,so i can see more detail. [scarlet_woman]
Glad you manage to find your comfortable setting. happy [lordwarwizard]
I don't know how to adjust the brightness but at least one of my girls do. I do need a light to see the screen properly. [nannacroc]
Thanks I'll try that. [nannacroc]
I have an HP widescreen LCD and have the brightness set at 55 and contrast set at 40. It all depends on your comfort really [robinator]
Somehow I can't seem to find my comfort setting. sad [lordwarwizard]
I don't really know, I don't think it is that bright, but I have such bad eyes it is very hard to tell anyhow [winterose]
As long as you find looking at the monitor comfortable enough... I guess it is ok. [lordwarwizard]
I have mine customized both contrast and colour are in the 90's, I prefer it brighter especially when reading articles with a dark background, the fact that I wear glasses probably is a reason. I have found that the dimmer the computer the more I have to concentrate and then I end up with headaches, I have eco lamps in the overhead lights and with equivalence to 60W light though it uses 11W but it gives great light, before this I had blue coloured light bulbs that imitate sunlight since with normal light bulbs I would find it too dark and get headaches when I read, I can't have a lamp next to the computer I tried and got headaches, everyone is different I suppose. I hope you find what you are looking soon. [leeloo]
Yup, if you always read articles of a dark background, I guess you need more light - though most sites don't choose such dark backgrounds normally. It's cool that you find a setting that you are comfortable with. rolleyes [lordwarwizard]
My computer is in my Living room..I have a ceiling light (too bright to be relaxing) and a lower powered uplighter lamp which is fine..with this lamp,my monitor,or the TV on,there's enough light available for my needs..I've never yet felt the need to increase the monitor's brightness level-I think it's fine for my needs.I have to admit I've toyed with the idea of buying one of those illuminated keyboards so I could do without the light on! [ShepherdSpy]
Some of the keyboards I was looking at had the option of changing the colour of the backlighting for the keys,one mentioned 3 different colours..most of the demo pictures show blue ones,and that's what I'd like..That gamer's one I mentioned was one of the more expensive models available,being the higher spec.with the extra control keys..dunno if it mentioned other colours,though.. [ShepherdSpy]
I only use my laptop under bright light to protect my eye. It is easy to change the brightness: Press "Fn"+"F6" to decrease & Press "Fn+F7" to increase the brightness (TOSHIBA LAPTOP). Hope you can find your replacement tube soon, else purchase a new table lamp, it's not so expensive now. :p [serena_wai]
Wow this is a good tip - I hope laptop users who need to change their setting read this. cool The replacement tubes are not stocked in shops as one owner I inquired said they are too expensive (about S$30+). As for changing the lamp... why would you do that? It's like if your monitor for a desktop computer spoils, you change just the monitor, you don't buy an entire new set of computer just because the monitor breaks down. It is actually very normal to change the tubes/bulbs when they blow... surely you don't always buy a new one? w00t [lordwarwizard]
in my computer it is not really that much bright. [cyberken16]
As long as it is comfortable for your eyes. happy [lordwarwizard]
since I got my new computer, I have not really changed anything, I leave it at the default, since I dont need extra light, and extra light doesnt bother me on my monitor I have an alienware notebook, so I can easily see my keyboard with no trouble [wolfaaron]
usually i adjust the brightness of my monitor to fit what i feel is comfortable brightness. but yes, i always find that it is always hurting to the eyes to some degree. an overhead lighting is necessary to soften this up further more. for this reason, i use a 20-watt flourescent tube which is attached to the ceiling. there is another one, a a cfl with a 15-watt rating. this is actually a reserve. if ever my flourescent tube gets busted, i can just switch on the cfl. thus, i do not encounter the same problem as you do as regards this thing about busted light tubes. so, to answer to queries, yes, i do adjust the brightness of the monitor and yes, i do use an extra light whenever i am pounding on my keyboard. [trinidadvelasco]
Yea, I don't know why no setting seems to work for me. sad For me, I have the normal overhead light for the room and this table lamp. If either goes kaboom (often enough), I can still rely on the other till I get the replacement tubes. [lordwarwizard]
I try to keep the brightness to 30% and a higher contrast level so that I don't have to strain my eyes or squint against the brightness. I spend nearly 5-6 hours before the computer so I have to be very careful about the monitor setting otherwise I can develop eye strain. I always work in a well lighted room, it is better for the eyes. [dbhattji]
Yup, for those of us who spend a lot of time in front of the screen, I think this brightness setting is quite important. [lordwarwizard]
Not so bright not so dull. But I dont even notice the difference at all. I am using window vista so the brightness is okay. Even without lights I can use my computer, my monitor. [bagumbayan]
Good for you if you don't notice any difference and that you are comfortable. rolleyes [lordwarwizard]
I will never want my computer monitor to be so bright.. lol =D IT's so hurting to the eyes, u know.. I cant imagine setting my monitor at 50% of brightness and plus one more table lamp?? I guess i might be blinded instead!! hehe ^_^ I'm setting my monitor at just 40% of brightness and it's just fine for me.. Anything lower than that, i can still manage, but not anything higher.. lol =D [kun2349]
Maybe u are too used to the brightness shocked [kun2349]
I always have my computer monitor at full brightness when I'm working or online. The only time I have it at a reduced brightness is when I'm watching movies on my laptop late at night in bed. I just find it far easier to see more clearly with full brightness during daylight hours. [James72]
As in 100%? I see... and geez, you mean you actually keep tweaking your brightness setting as you change programs? Hmm... [lordwarwizard]
The monitor ...it is brightly lit ,enough to spread light to a room when the power suddenly goes haywire. [sukumar794]
Wow, is there such a bright monitor around? rolleyes [lordwarwizard]
Hi my friend, nice to see you...so,i use a laptop Dell and i found the area to go and adjust the monitor's brightness. I went to Dell QuickSet, hit the "Fn" key and scrolled up or down on keys located on the right side of the keyboard located right below the shift key. Got the monitor's screen brightness back up to where it needed to be which is much easier on my eyes. sometimes, i use a lamp too, becouse keyboards is black and is difficult to type in good conditions. [martianwomen]
Hi my friend, nice to see you too. cool Yup, Serena mentioned earlier too that you can use Function 6 and 7 to adjust the monitor for laptops (or at least her laptop). lol [lordwarwizard]
I notice that when my laptop relies on battery, the monitor is very bright. I always have to adjust it down. But when it relies on adapter, the monitor brightness is just right. I just checked. It's about 40%. Anyway, isn't your room lighting bright enough? My room lighting is bright enough so I prefer my monitor screen to be not too bright as it hurts my eyes. [poohgal]
Got to ask Fujitsu rasp [poohgal]
It is at the default brightness.It is bright enough for me.Me too like the monitor to be bright.I always think the more bright the things the more mood elevating are they. [balasri]
Haha, makes things cheery. rolleyes [lordwarwizard]
Hello lordwarwizard,I keep the brightness level zero in my computer so it doesn't strain my eyes.I also have a anti glare screen before my monitor to protect my eyes.When i play online multiplayer games i put the brightness to hundred because if i cannot see the enemy well.He/She will shoot me down.happyhappy [vicky30]
If you are speaking about brightness then yes I can see everything.happyhappy [vicky30]
i know exactly what u are saying. i don't have an extra light by mine but have a good ceiling ligh w/4 bublbs in it that helps. i to have eye troubles. i have an aneurysm behind my right eye so that affects my seeing. i hope soon find you a good light. u get use to them. good luck. [ANTIQUELADY]
i do love ceiling fans. have one in every room of my house. have a good sat. [ANTIQUELADY]
My settings are all on default and I find them fine, but I too feel comfortable with a lamp above and to the side of my computer. It's strange what we get used to my friend... I don't need it, but I like it to be there as a sort of home comfort. Brightest Blessings. [Darkwing]
Omg... I feel a new lamp coming on! I wonder why you can't find the replacement tubes. [Darkwing]
i always keep my monitor brightness between 50 and 75. never lower or higher. [footballant1]
Cool, you know exactly what setting you feel comfortable with. happy [lordwarwizard]
My LCD monitor contrast is set to 50% & brightness 100%. I'm not sure whether it's default or have I adjusted it but as long as it suits my eyes I don't really have anything to complain.happy [zweeb82]
There's Warm, Cool & User mode for the LCD monitor & I'm currently set to the "cool" mode, so I guess it could be less brighter the the "warm" mode. Well, at least that's what I think, hahalol [zweeb82]
I really don't know, but it's okay at times and at times it's too bright for me. [alyciassecret]
I don't know what you mean by needing another lamp to look at your monitor. Like that would work. lol But I surely need some light to see my keyboard. I have my monitor brightness and contrast at 100% But you can also adjust that brightness by not having a pure white background in Windows and the various programs you use. Pure White at 100% would hurt most people eyes. It also depends of your monitor and video card. Some will work better than some other. [Aussies2007]
I can also adjust the screen on the laptop so I can see better! It seems to matter how the screen is angled, depending on where I am sitting. [olivemai]
Hi lordwarwizard! I do know how to adjust the brightness of the computer but it has already been adjusted to my comfort by my husband. I really don't need an extra lamp. I do fine with just the light or brightness of the monitor. Take care and have a wonderful day! lovelots..faith [faith210]
That's great, Faith! lol [lordwarwizard]
hi lordwarwizard, I do not have any trouble in monitor brightness adjustment.Yes lamp light is not enough to use computer.comp has more color than lamp. By default color adjustment of monitor is 50%,no need to adjustment.only in bright sunny day,sometimes.., otherwise fine. have a good friday. [newuser_99]
I do not mess with the brightness. I bought a computer light that attaches to the laptop and provides some additional light! It is tough to see at times as this room has no windows! At least no windows that provide light. I have several lamps that are using energy saving light bulbs. The bulbs do not seem as bright as the old fashioned ones, but they work well enough and keep the energy bill down. wink [olivemai]
As long as you can see comfortably, cool! cool [lordwarwizard]
For me, it depends. It depends on whether I have the computer plugged into the power supply (I have a laptop). If it is, then it is quite bright, if not, then it isn't as bright, to save battery power. I do like to work in brighter lighting to help prevent eye strain, but if I am desperate for some computer time, I'll work in the pitch black if I have to, though I do tend to make more spelling mistakes then. [newzealtralian]
Use a light then. lol [lordwarwizard]
i think its perfect brightness in my monitor so that i don change it to any extend ,............. i like only normal format for viewing it [santhosheie]
Perfect as in... ok... [lordwarwizard]
Mine is 50 percent. And it is Samsung SyncMaster 753s. [dvrtmcc]
I used to be on a Samsung too. happy [lordwarwizard]
Hmm... I never really adjusted the monitor settings other than the size of the picture to fit the entire screen. So I guess my monitor settings would be at the default of 50% for both brightness and contrast. I too sometimes use a table lamp during the night when I use the computer. This is mainly to illuminate the keyboard so that I can type better. Cos some how, during the night, my fingers keep getting on the wrong placement on the keys, causing me to type all sorts of nonesense when I am not looking. Or when I need to write or refer to some paper notes when using the computer, I will on the table lamp. Otherwise, it stays off. But most of the time, I prefer to sit in the dark when using my computer. Other than the light from the monitor, the whole room would be in darkness. Much more comfortable that way. lol [ahgong]
Well, if the CRT is old, you should be able to justify it. It is cheap to get a LCD these days! And the pictures and words are so much sharper and clearer. Not to mention, it is lower on power consumption compared to most CRTs. I would have upgraded earlier too if the prices were cheaper a few years back. The above reasons should be enough to get you justifying a new change! lol [ahgong]
I have a laptop and the screen is only bright when I have it plugged into the electricity. If it is not plugged it the screen is so dull that I can hardly see what I am typing. I don't have any idea how to alter the brightness of my screen. I always know that my laptop is no longer plugged in if the screen goes dull. So I plug it in again. It is a shame that you need a table lamp but I might try that trick with my laptop. [maximax8]
Maybe not enough power - battery going to go bonkers? cry [lordwarwizard]
My Monitor is very bright, I love it, i told you I have a new one. How do you get so many responses? You are so popular aren't you? Take care friend! [marciascott]
my monitor is not too bright, and too bright... it just alright. i am not sure in what level it is set though.. i do not need an extra light for my monitor, its fine.. [cuttyrish]
Then all's good. lol [lordwarwizard]
I've got light sensitive eyes... And these days I have to look at monitors at work, while doing school work, and obviously I'm staring at one right now--my hobbies and communiques all seemingly through computers--and when I'm not doing this I'm reading or watching TV... I really need some eyeball friendly hobbies. [DavidReedy]
Yea, I need some eyeball exercises too. [lordwarwizard]
Lol i use an LCD monitor by Samsung, it is large size, the brightness, contrast, color features are adjustable, i have set them at a level that suits me.. but i have a CFL lamp of 24 watts on the wall behind the computer and another on the right wall. Thank you so much for starting this nice discussion here. happy keep sharing, happy posting, have a great day, cheersrasp ARUN [arun2009]
The problem with me is I am always bad at adjustment - everything seems wrong lol. [lordwarwizard]
My computers monitor isn't too bright. It's less than 50%. When I was younger (like 5 years ago, lol) I used to have it on 100% - that gives me a headache just by thinking about it now. lol [UpsideDownPineapple]
50% is the default and I used to leave it at a bit lower than that. [lordwarwizard]
Hello lww. When I use my laptop, I love to turn on the light to make the screen look brighter because I feel more comfortable with it when it is bright enough with the help of extra light. I have not made any adjustment to the brightness of the laptop. It is the degree of brightness when it was bought. [williamjisir]
Yo William, Yea our eyes react differently to the nuances of light... [lordwarwizard]