DirectWrite does have some improvements over GDI only ClearType. Although a lot of DirectWrite's real improvements people notice are interestingly in the other

DirectWrite does have some improvements over GDI only ClearType. Although a lot of DirectWrite's real improvements people notice are interestingly in the other direction. (ClearType is designed to optimize sub-pixel rendering on LCDs when rendering fonts at small sizes; a bunch of DirectWrite improvements are in multi-pixel aliasing and smoothing when rendering higher font sizes on higher DPI devices.)