Linux 6.19 Adds New Console Font To Better Handle Modern Laptops With HiDPI Displays
Sent in for the Linux 6.19 merge window when it comes to the frame-buffer device "FBDEV" subsystem are just a set of "fixes" for FBDEV drivers and code clean-ups. But it does also include a new console font option for better supporting modern laptops with high density displays.
The FBDEV fixes pull request was already sent out today and subsequently merged by Linus Torvalds in short order. The only notable highlight is the introduction of a Terminus 10x18 console font option.
Neilay Kharwadkar who contributed the Terminus 10x18 font for the kernel console noted the reasoning around modern HiDPI displays and the existing console font options being inadequate. From the commit adding Terminus 10x18:
This Terminus 10x16 console font can be enabled via the Linux kernel Kconfig's FONT_TER10x18 option. A nice alternative to the existing Terminus 16x32 console option or the default 8x16 console font. Of the other font choices are also no 10x16 pixel options.
The FBDEV fixes pull request was already sent out today and subsequently merged by Linus Torvalds in short order. The only notable highlight is the introduction of a Terminus 10x18 console font option.
Neilay Kharwadkar who contributed the Terminus 10x18 font for the kernel console noted the reasoning around modern HiDPI displays and the existing console font options being inadequate. From the commit adding Terminus 10x18:
"Add a compile-in option for Terminus 10x18 bitmap console font to improve readability on modern laptop displays.
On modern 13-16 inch laptop displays with high pixel density, common scaled resolutions like 1280x800 and 1440x900 are widely used.
At these resolutions, VGA 8x16 is too small and difficult to read for extended periods, while Terminus 16x32 is too large, providing only 25-28 rows. The existing 10x18 font has poor readability.
Terminus 10x18 provides improved readability with its clean, fixed-width design while maintaining practical row counts (44-50 rows).
A comfortable and readable built-in font for early boot messages, kernel panics or whenever userspace is unavailable.
The font was converted from standard Terminus ter-i18b.psf using psftools and formatted to match kernel font conventions.
This patch is non-intrusive, no options are enabled by default so most users won't notice a thing."
This Terminus 10x16 console font can be enabled via the Linux kernel Kconfig's FONT_TER10x18 option. A nice alternative to the existing Terminus 16x32 console option or the default 8x16 console font. Of the other font choices are also no 10x16 pixel options.