43
votes
How to view current display resolution
You can get the resolution in Terminal using system_profiler by issuing the following command:
system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType | awk '/Resolution/{print $2, $3, $4}'
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41
votes
My external monitor doesn't work at full resolution with my MacBook
You can go to System Preferences > Displays, then option-click (press option key while left-clicking) on Scaled to expose additional resolutions that aren't exposed with a normal left-click.
...
- 4,863
38
votes
Accepted
What external monitor and size combinations provide best scaling on macOS?
I had to make a similar decision for myself. In summary: after lots of researching and testing, I found an LG 27 inch 4k display to be the best balance from price/performance point of view for now. I ...
- 1,221
16
votes
Accepted
How to change resolution of external monitor from main monitor on Macbook Pro?
Try clicking on 'Gather Windows' button in the bottom right corner. It will bring the resolution choices onto the built-in screen. Then you can choose one that suits. If you hold down option while ...
- 176
13
votes
Accepted
How to open Resolution Center for an app version rejection after the app is approved?
Found this floating around on Reddit. I've also had the same issue and was able to find the Resolution Center from this:
https://itunesconnect.apple.com/WebObjects/iTunesConnect.woa/ra/ng/app/[your-...
- 146
13
votes
My external monitor doesn't work at full resolution with my MacBook
Okay, so I managed to work out what the issue was in the end - it was OS X's handling of the EDID data from the monitor. Windows evidently could read the data just fine, which is why it worked ...
- 691
12
votes
How does display scaling work on Mac
When you choose 'looks like 2560x1440' and that is not an integer scale factor of 4K (3840x2160), macOS creates a virtual display twice the size (i.e. 5120x2880). All software (OS and applications) ...
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11
votes
Accepted
Disable HiDPI resolution
I found a way to disable this behaviour through the this command:
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver DisplayResolutionEnabled -bool NO
- 449
10
votes
How to view current display resolution
system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType will give you the physical resolution of a Retina display, but it won't give you the effective (scaled) resolution. If you need that, you can sort of get it with ...
- 539
10
votes
Accepted
How do I Propery Configure Display Scaling on macOS (with a 1440p External Display) to Reduce Eye Strain?
The solution requires SwitchResX and to follow this guide - How to Mimic a 2K Monitor as “Retina Display” in macOS Sierra Using HiDPI. The high level steps:
Install SwitchResX.
Disable SIP.
Create a ...
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9
votes
What are the effective scaling modes on OSX with a 4K display? Is an effective real estate of 2560x1440 possible?
Note that if you Alt+click the "Scaled" resolution radio in the display preferences you will see many more resolution options than the default 5 (source: Apple support article "Using 4K ...
- 345
9
votes
Accepted
How to set the Display aspect ratio to 16:9 explicitly when using a VGA adaptor
In the monitor/display settings just press the Option key when selecting the "scaled" option. Then additional resolution options will show up.
- 106
9
votes
Scaling external Display on Macbook Pro Mid 2012
You're best off using Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable for this.
HDMI would work but you'd need to make sure your mDP to HDMI adapter
and HDMI cable were compliant. It's just easier to buy ...
- 5,028
9
votes
OSX increase display font size without changing display resolution?
A not universal subset of user interface fonts can be changed while keeping the actual resolution the same. (Note that 'the Apple-sanctioned way' is detailed in bmike's answer.)
This effect is ...
- 8,239
8
votes
Accepted
Why does the 13" MacBook Pro Retina (Late 2016) have a default resolution of 1440x900 instead of 1280x800?
Scroll down to read the short answer.
Long answer
MBP 2nd generation, Intel
In 2008 Apple released the Unibody MacBook Pros with native display resolutions of 1280 × 800 and 1440 × 900 for the 13” ...
- 7,706
8
votes
Accepted
External display resolution does not match what is specified in Mac OS settings
What you're describing is macOS' "Retina" HiDPI scaling feature. The actual resolution that the GPU renders, the display sees and what is communicated over the display-cable is 3840x2160.
In simple ...
- 76.8k
8
votes
Accepted
Does the "Larger text" VS "More space" trade-off in Display preference affect the 4K resolution of an external monitor?
First, a history lesson. The very first Apple computers had displays with 72 pixels per inch. This is the same size as 1 point (a unit of 1/72 inches), so 1 point = 1 pixel. Text at 12pt would display ...
- 33.9k
7
votes
What is the maximum supported resolution of the MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013) for an external monitor at 60hz
I know I am late to this question, but I own the "MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013)" with "Intel Iris 1536 MB". I am currently using the macbook with the "Samsung SMS27A850" according to the ...
- 179
7
votes
My external monitor doesn't work at full resolution with my MacBook
I don't have enough points to add comments, but I just had the same issue and found the reply by Dan Grove extremely helpful.
This reply is in regard with the step 2 of his proposed solution.
It can ...
- 71
7
votes
Insert vector-based PDF to Powerpoint WITHOUT losing resolution
PowerPoint 2011 and 2016 don't retain vector graphics from PDF files, but merrily convert everything into bitmap graphics when the presentation is saved. To embed vector graphics in the presentation ...
- 1,234
7
votes
4K Monitor and performance issues with MBP Late 2015
Scaling is your culprit. Anything different than 1080p or 4K is going to tax the GPU and cause lag. It's unfortunate. I think a solution which costs a lot more money would be to purchase a 5K monitor ...
- 111
7
votes
How can I set a scaled display resolution from the command-line in macOS Catalina?
I’m not aware of any way to do this via defaults write (although it seems like it should be possible). I even checked MacPilot which is usually my go-to for hidden defaults.
My suggestion would be to ...
- 20.5k
7
votes
What external monitor and size combinations provide best scaling on macOS?
You are right with your research and assumptions. MacOS doesn't provide scaling options for all external screens. RDM enables you to access unavailable resolutions. Though you won't get a perfect ...
- 654
7
votes
Accepted
Proportional Mouse Movement across Multiple Monitors?
Try cursr, it's new, probably more features coming out soon, I've been using it on mac, works so far.
You can also request new features, it has link to git in 'issues' section at the bottom. Small ...
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6
votes
How to set the Display aspect ratio to 16:9 explicitly when using a VGA adaptor
I had the same problem yesterday. I needed to do recording on Windows (a Parallels VM) in 1280x720 (16:9), and Parallels always resets my Windows resolutions to whatever Macbook sees even when I use ...
- 861
6
votes
Stopping Dell P2715Q monitor flickers with MacBook Retina 12" (2015)
This may be good or bad news deepening on how you look at it, but it’s the Dell 4K display, not your Mac. Both Dell model numbers 2715Q and 2815Q are notorious for this kind of flickering when used ...
- 1,634
6
votes
How do I scale everything up on my Mac Screen without decreasing resolution?
On retina Macs it is in System Preferences > Display (see this article). Switch it to "scaled" and it should show multiple choices that look like this:
- 105
6
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to force the MacBook Pro HDMI output to specific resolution/refresh rate?
The answer is: Yes, this is possible.
I found a piece of trialware called SetResX that lets you set arbitrary real resolutions on the HDMI output, and it works!
I also found a video tutorial here ...
- 340
6
votes
Accepted
Early 2015 MacBook Air and two external monitors: how to do it and maximum resolution?
Just for posterity I'll answer my own question:
After doing quite a bit of searching around, I eventually figured out that the easiest and cheapest way to accomplish this would be to use the StarTech ...
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