Apple Display (P3-600 nits) vs Apple XDR Display (P3-1600 nits)

[sparkie7]

Found the above settings on my MBP 16" M4 max. For everyday use browsing, emails etc presumably P3-600 nits is enough, and does it use less battery power being lower nits? And the XDR P3-1600 nits is better for video work and watching movies?

Just wanted clarification on this, as I'd rather have it set on "P3-600 nits" if it means saving battery life and is more energy efficient

Also Refresh rate is set by default on Promotion. Any pros / cons with this setting vs 60 Hertz (or below?). Presumably the lowest setting of 47.95 Hertz will save conserve battery usage, but by how much, and as long as you don't notice any flickering due to slower referesh rate. What setting do you have yours on?

 

[MacManiac76]

Both of those numbers are peak brightness. I always leave it on the default setting and just adjust the brightness as necessary using the keyboard shortcuts, mostly depending on if I need a little longer battery life at the moment. Using AlDente Pro after switching display profiles it doesn't seem to matter unless you are viewing HDR or Dolby Vision content. For some reason I can't switch from ProMotion. I click on another refresh rate and then it just switches back immediately.

 

[sparkie7]

For some reason I can't switch from ProMotion. I click on another refresh rate and then it just switches back immediately.

Both of those numbers are peak brightness. I always leave it on the default setting and just adjust the brightness as necessary using the keyboard shortcuts, mostly depending on if I need a little longer battery life at the moment.

I have set mine on P3–600 nits for normal (non movie watching) use for the time being

For some reason I can't switch from ProMotion. I click on another refresh rate and then it just switches back immediately.

have you tried updating to the latest OS, Sequoia 15.3

 

[MacManiac76]

have you tried updating to the latest OS, Sequoia 15.3

I'm always on the latest OS. Doesn't really matter to me since I prefer ProMotion all the time anyways.

* I found out is SwitchResX that is automatically switching it back to ProMotion.

 

[sparkie7]

I'm always on the latest OS. Doesn't really matter to me since I prefer ProMotion all the time anyways.

* I found out is SwitchResX that is automatically switching it back to ProMotion.

Can you see the Promotion difference? And in what use cases

ok cool. Is SwitchResX any good

 

[MacManiac76]

Can you see the Promotion difference? And in what use cases

ok cool. Is SwitchResX any good

Yes I can see the difference. Usually it's most noticeable when scrolling through text, but can also be noticed when pretty much scrolling through any content. You don't really think it matters until you go back to 60Hz or lower and the smoothness just isn't there anymore.

SwitchResX is pretty cool. It puts an icon in the Menu Bar when you can quickly switch between resolutions and refresh rates without having to go into the Settings every time to do it. You can also set it up to switch resolutions based on which app is currently active.

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

I can’t tell whether or not ProMotion is turned on or off on my 14” MacBook Pro. If you’re one of the few who can tell the difference you’ll have to be the judge whether that difference is worth it.

 

[MacManiac76]

The app you're using has to support ProMotion to see it. Pretty much any Apple app like Safari. The easiest test is to scroll fast up and down on the MacRumors homepage with it on vs off. I just tried it again myself and you can tell that without ProMotion the scrolling is jittery vs smooth with ProMotion on.

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

The app you're using has to support ProMotion to see it. Pretty much any Apple app like Safari. The easiest test is to scroll fast up and down on the MacRumors homepage with it on vs off. I just tried it again myself and you can tell that without ProMotion the scrolling is jittery vs smooth with ProMotion on.

I managed to notice it on an iPad Pro next to an iPad Air, but it's a minor difference, and I can't tell them apart if they're not next to each other, scrolling the same thing at the same time.

So for me, ProMotion is a waste of battery life. I can't tell enough to bother leaving it turned on, and it will never be a selling point for me. If it matters to you, great, enjoy it!

 

[MacManiac76]

If anything turning ProMotion off could use more battery since you are always at 60Hz or whatever refresh rate you choose. ProMotion can also conserve battery using a refresh rate of even below 30Hz when a static image is on the display. ProMotion is not only for having dynamic refresh rates above 60Hz.