RoamingScott wrote:
That makes zero sense. Things get smaller by default the more resolution you have.
It's the ability to choose the display res settings on the 5k (Apple Display here) that allows me the font size I prefer, i.e. 2560 x 1440 which is the same as my old iMac 2015. Believe the default display res for his 4k is 1920 x 1080. If his 4k monitor can properly scale to 2560 x 1440 that might solve the issue. I just wan't satisfied with the 4k monitor I tested so that's how I ended up with the Studio Display.
jintakhan wrote:
Enable “Show All Resolutions” and you should see HiDPI/scaled resolutions in the list that will do what you want.
Yes, I tried this. I see no HiDPI/scaled resolution in the expanded list.
The HiDPI resolutions must be hidden for some reason.
My MacBook Pro M2 Max is connected with the BenQ SW271C monitor via a USB cable (full description of the cable from Amazon: USB-C Cable 6FT/2M Compatible with Thunderbolt 5 Cable, high Speed 80Gbps Data Transfer, 240W PD Type C Fast Charging Cord, 16K/8K/4K Video Output for Thunderbolt 4/3).
In the System menu of the monitor, the USB-C Configuration is set to USB 3.1
I am thinking of trying BetterDisplay to create a virtual HiDPI mode.
schlotz wrote:
It's the ability to choose the display res settings on the 5k (Apple Display here) that allows me the font size I prefer, i.e. 2560 x 1440 which is the same as my old iMac 2015. Believe the default display res for his 4k is 1920 x 1080. If his 4k monitor can properly scale to 2560 x 1440 that might solve the issue. I just wan't satisfied with the 4k monitor I tested so that's how I ended up with the Studio Display.
My understanding is that Apple displays present no problems with scaling. I believe there are also select non-Apple displays designed to be used with MacOS. Problems with the scaling seem to arise with all other 4K displays/monitors, such as my BenQ SW271C.
What is annoying is the lack of information and guidance. Like, I am looking at the list of (all) resolutions in Displays, and there are no HiDPI resolutions, and I have no idea why these are hidden. There is no "helpful" message, like "hey, stupid, your photography 4K monitor is not compatible with this nice MacBook Pro - you must buy an expencive Apple Studio display instead!"
ruthenium wrote:
My understanding is that Apple displays present no problems with scaling. I believe there are also select non-Apple displays designed to be used with MacOS. Problems with the scaling seem to arise with all other 4K displays/monitors, such as my BenQ SW271C.
What is annoying is the lack of information and guidance. Like, I am looking at the list of (all) resolutions in Displays, and there are no HiDPI resolutions, and I have no idea why these are hidden. There is no "helpful" message, like "hey, stupid, your photography 4K monitor is not compatible with this nice MacBook Pro - you must buy an expencive Apple Studio display instead!"...Show more →
Dude. It’s really simple. Choose the resolution that is 50% x 50% of your BenQ max for day to day. Leave it there as your default. In PS or other imaging programs settings, set the screen resolution to what the BenQ is. Best of both worlds.
After some more thinking, internet searching, and consulting with the Gods (that is, ChatGPT and AI in Google), here is what is my present understanding:
1) The Display "Resolution": 1920x1080 (Default) that is shown by my MacBook on the connected 4K display DOES NOT mean pixel binning and the loss of the native 3840 x 2160 resolution.
2) The 1920 x 1080 (Default) "resolution" (confusingly!) means scaling and it affects (changes) ONLY the size of the user interface (UI) elements, such as text, icons, and menus. Thus, all (and only) UI elements are scaled to LOOK LIKE these should look on a 1920 x 1080 display.
3) This scaling of the UI elements to 1920 x 1080 "resolution" on a 4K monitor does not affect the pixels of an image in photography processing programs like Capture One.
I compared an image at 1600% magnification with the Display Resolution in MacOS set to 3840 x 2160 with the same at the "Default" 1920 x 1080 resolution. There is no change, except the UI elements appear small when the "resolution" is set to 3840 x 2160. See the two full-screen screenshots below, for illustration.
The bottom line: I believe there is nothing to worry about from the photography point of view, and the default "Display Resolution" set in MacOS can be totally ignored as it does not mean some manipulation of the pixels in photography images.
If there are experts who may want to correct me - please, do!
ruthenium wrote:
After some more thinking, internet searching, and consulting with the Gods (that is, ChatGPT and AI in Google), here is what is my present understanding:
1) The Display "Resolution": 1920x1080 (Default) that is shown by my MacBook on the connected 4K display DOES NOT mean pixel binning and the loss of the native 3840 x 2160 resolution.
2) The 1920 x 1080 (Default) "resolution" (confusingly!) means scaling and it affects (changes) ONLY the size of the user interface (UI) elements, such as text, icons, and menus. Thus, all (and only) UI elements are scaled to LOOK LIKE these should look on a 1920 x 1080 display.
3) This scaling of the UI elements to 1920 x 1080 "resolution" on a 4K monitor does not affect the pixels of an image in photography processing programs like Capture One.
I compared an image at 1600% magnification with the Display Resolution in MacOS set to 3840 x 2160 with the same at the "Default" 1920 x 1080 resolution. There is no change, except the UI elements appear small when the "resolution" is set to 3840 x 2160. See the two full-screen screenshots below, for illustration.
The bottom line: I believe there is nothing to worry about from the photography point of view, and the default "Display Resolution" set in MacOS can be totally ignored as it does not mean some manipulation of the pixels in photography images.
If there are experts who may want to correct me - please, do!...Show more →
Uh, yes that's what we've been trying to tell you, that the Mac retina protocol is smart
Jack Flesher wrote:
Uh, yes that's what we've been trying to tell you, that the Mac retina protocol is smart
Jack, my problem here is with the Mac terminology. On a Windows PC, I can change SCALING - this is straightforward, and this is what I want when using a 4K display. MacOS appears to suggest that it changes the RESOLUTION of my display (that I don't want). This is not the only case of annoying terminology adopted by MacOS. I remember that when I added this MacBook (the first Mac in my experience), I was alarmed when I saw AirDrop. I disabled that, just in case, but wondered whether my MacBook needed this for regular maintenance. I still use Windows for all work-related needs, as I find the OS less annoying and more convenient, but I do like that the MacBook is fast when processing from raw, without overheating like my Windows laptop does too often.
ruthenium wrote:
Jack, my problem here is with the Mac terminology. On a Windows PC, I can change SCALING - this is straightforward, and this is what I want when using a 4K display. MacOS appears to suggest that it changes the RESOLUTION of my display (that I don't want). This is not the only case of annoying terminology adopted by MacOS. I remember that when I added this MacBook (the first Mac in my experience), I was alarmed when I saw AirDrop. I disabled that, just in case, but wondered whether my MacBook needed this for regular maintenance. I still use Windows for all work-related needs, as I find the OS less annoying and more convenient, but I do like that the MacBook is fast when processing from raw, without overheating like my Windows laptop does too often....Show more →
Mac OS is more relaxed for sure. But once you start to understand it, you'll never go back to Win-doze.
PS: Air-drop is simply a routine that allows easy device-to-device sharing of images, links and even passwords without cables. I use it with family and friends all the time. Most important is it clearly labels the devices/users being shared, the sender has to initiate it or accept a request, and the receiver had to either request it initially or accept it after. Similarly AirPlay allows you to cast your iPhone, iPad or Mac to a close by TV or other BT enabled monitor for screen sharing.
ruthenium wrote:
Jack, my problem here is with the Mac terminology. On a Windows PC, I can change SCALING - this is straightforward, and this is what I want when using a 4K display. MacOS appears to suggest that it changes the RESOLUTION of my display (that I don't want). This is not the only case of annoying terminology adopted by MacOS. I remember that when I added this MacBook (the first Mac in my experience), I was alarmed when I saw AirDrop. I disabled that, just in case, but wondered whether my MacBook needed this for regular maintenance. I still use Windows for all work-related needs, as I find the OS less annoying and more convenient, but I do like that the MacBook is fast when processing from raw, without overheating like my Windows laptop does too often....Show more →
An aside.
Your Windows/MacOS issue reminds me of someone (and I’ll stick to saying “someone” to protect the guilty) that I know. This someone was an employee of Microsoft some years ago, at a time when I had a relationship with Apple (their higher ed division) that gave me access to interesting stuff from them, including employee discounts through people I worked with.
My Microsoft acquaintance decided that it would be useful to acquire a Powerbook. I mentioned this in a room full of Apple employees and when I told them the person was a Microsoft employee they tripped over one another trying to be the person whose employee discount was used by a Microsoft employee. ;-)
My acquaintance got a nicely equipped new high-end Powerbook, and and was baffled by the Mac interface.A favorite story involved activating the built-in modem. (Remember those? ;-) My acquaintance simply could not figure out how to get the modem working. He contacted me and said something like, “I can’t figure out where to enter the custom modem strings” (remember those?) “for the damned thing.”
I had to calmly talk him down and point out that there was a pop-up menu where he could just select the name of the modem from the list and all of the configuration was automatic… ;-)
The MacOS monitor settings interface is not the same as that on Windows, but it is pretty straightforward once you understand how it works… and how the thinking that worked on Windows might be getting in your way.
