1920 x 1200 resolution monitor with VGA not detected by Mac OS X 10.7.2

Question

I recently got a Dell 2412m monitor with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1200. But in system preferences it only shows 1920 x 1080. I had it connected, beautifully, to my spare linux machine, so that's not the issue.

How can I get the correct resolution on my display?

Specs: Dell 2412m Mac OS X 10.7.2 Connecting with MiniDisplay Port to VGA

Answer 1

OSX won't drive a resolution that high with VGA.

VGA won't go up to 2560 x 1600, but it will drive 2048 x 1152. I have that same monitor and have driven it at that resolution by VGA with an original aluminum MacBook using the Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter.

Reference

Since yours is 1200 vertical, and it maxes out at 1152, it is picking the next resolution that will fit.

Solution? Use a MiniDisplay Port to DVI and connect with DVI. For a resolution that high at standard refresh rates, you should probably be using DVI anyway even if it is technically possible to get VGA that high (as you have noticed is possible on another operating system).