Anyone else find 2x Retina too small on new 14" MBP?

[Christopher Kim]

So I've had my new 14" M1 Pro (10/16 32GB/1TB) for almost 2 weeks now, and mostly been using for a couple hours at night in bed.

I've found the default 2x Retina resolution of "Looks like 1512 x 982" (with the 14" MBP's actual pixel resolution of 3024 x 1964) makes text a bit too small for comfort - primarily using Safari and scrolling webpages (MacRumors forums!) I tried it at the default for the first week, and maybe it's because using in bed means the screen is a little further away from my eyes than if you were using on a desk, but text has been just a little too small.

For the last 2 days, I've now switched the display settings to be one notch larger, at "Looks like 1352 x 878" and I've found it's much more comfortable to use.

It still looks great, and although in my mind I know that it's not perfect HiDPI pixel-doubling, I can't really tell the difference if I'm being honest. It's interesting because on my prior 2016 13" MBP that I've used for 5 years (2560 x 1600 pixel resolution), I had actually been using the default "Looks like 1440 x 900", which is actually 1 notch in the other direction (Smaller Text / More Space) than the 2x Retina "Looks like 1280 x 800", and felt text size was fine. I also didn't think the non-perfect pixel-doubling made it look any worse, and it was interesting that Apple had actually made this "Looks like 1440 x 900" non-perfect pixel-doubling the default resolution!

Anyways, I'm guessing this is a consequence of the greater pixel density of the 2021 14" and 16" MBPs (now 254ppi vs 227ppi in the 2016-2020 13" MBP), where all things equal, text size will look a bit smaller on the screen than prior MBP generation, but curious if anyone else is feeling the same way. Making me feel old now (and I'm only in my mid-30s!)

 

[arfung]

I have a 14 inch MacBook Pro, and I do exactly the same thing. In 2016, Apple changed the default for their laptops to the current resolution. Before that, it was set to the larger scale - in dots per inch – that you’re using now. That old scale matches the default type size of external monitors currently. I guess Apple changed the default on laptop screens because people wanted to see more information.

Like you, I find the 1352 x 878 option (larger type) much more comfortable. For me, the app for which this makes the most difference is the mail application. For some reason, it just seems much harder than it should be to change type scaling in the mail application.

Here’s a little chart of different default and scaled resolutions that may be of interest:

13” 2016: 1280 x 800 (114 dpi) [old default]
14” bigger: 1352 x 878 (~114 dpi) [old scaling and closest to external monitor]
13” 2020: 1440 x 900 (130 dpi) [new default]
14” default: 1512 x 982 (127 dpi) [new default]

defaults:
15” MacBook Pro 2019: 1680 x 1050
15” MacBook Pro Retina (2012 - 2015): 1440 x 900


27” iMac: 109 dpi (default scale) (218 dpi native resolution);

Default change in 2016 explained here:
https://9to5mac.com/2016/12/02/15-inch-macbook-pro-screen-resolution-blurry/

 

[Christopher Kim]

@arfung that's really useful info, thanks, and makes a lot of sense.

It's interesting that the new 14" default of "Looks like 1512 x 982" is actually "bigger" looking than the old 2016-2020 13" default of "Looks like 1440 x 900", which I actually thought was ok (127dpi vs 130dpi).

That's what I used primarily with my 2016 13" when I wasn't using it in closed clamshell mode, and I remember it seemed fine to me.

Anyways, I think I'll continue to stick with the "Looks like 1352 x 878" from now on - other than the tiny voice in my head saying you're not getting the "true 2x retina" of pixel-doubling, from my eyes, icons and text look just as sharp and the font size is much more pleasing and comfortable.

 

[adrianlondon]

I have an early-2020 MBA which has a 13" screen that I run at 1680x1050. If I switch it back to the default (1440x900) everything looks too big now.

 

[ipettkov]

Same here, I couldn't go more than 1 day with the default resolution. And my usage is typically 2-3 hours on built in display and 8+ hours on external monitors. New default for M1/M2 MBP 14s is wayyyy too tiny for my eyes

 

[turbineseaplane]

I always feel this way

Probably because I came of age in Macs on my 17" PowerBook G4, which had a 1440 x 900 resolution spread across a 17" screen. I remember it being so wonderful and comfortable to use (wasn't Retina at 1440x900 of course)

Right now I'm looking at Retina 1440 x 900 on a 15.4" display (2015 15" MBP) and it's lovely.

When things get any physically smaller on screen than this, I no longer enjoy it anymore.

I'm one of those Mac users who has been just fine with 32" 4k monitors running perfect 2x -- for this reason. I admit though, that the most perfect size for me would be 32" running 5k and perfect 2x.

I just enjoy things erring on the side of a touch larger and more comfortable to look at and engage with.

 

[iMacDragon]

I just set my safari to default web pages zoomed in a bit