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Custom Scaled Resolution for the new MacBook Pro 14

J

jungleghost

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 5, 2021
63
31
Reading some posts here on the forum, I saw that some people complained about the resolutions available on the new MacBook Pro 14. Because the default configuration (1512x982) would have very large icons and little screen space, while the larger configuration (1800x1169), left everything too small to allow for more space.

Well, I have the solution to your problems, the middle ground between visibility and space.

I estimated an intermediate resolution between the two, which maintains the 14:9 standard, that is, the screen will not be "cut" in the notch region, it will be completely filled.

The resolution is 1662x1080.
An area of space very similar to the area of the old (2016~2019) 15" MacBooks (1680x1050), and maintains a clear and readable size.

To configure, just download SwitchResX, and configure a scaled resolution 3324 x 2160. This will enable HDPI 1662x1080 resolution with NOTCH aspect ratio, and magic, space and readability together.
 

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Can you check if you can add a higher hdpi resolution option? I currently have an m1 macbook air with 1920x1080 hdpi custom scaling, looking to do the same on the 14, I'm worried about that notch. Anything above feels like too big. Any report is welcome, have a great day!
 
jsgrrchg said:
Can you check if you can add a higher hdpi resolution option? I currently have an m1 macbook air with 1920x1080 hdpi custom scaling, looking to do the same on the 14, I'm worried about that notch. Anything above feels like too big. Any report is welcome, have a great day!
Click to expand...
Yes, you can. You just need find a resolution with the aspect ration 14:9 NOTCH and create a custom resolution with 2x that resolution to enable the HDPI too.
 
jungleghost said:
Yes, you can. You just need find a resolution with the aspect ration 14:9 NOTCH and create a custom resolution with 2x that resolution to enable the HDPI too.
Click to expand...
Thank you very match. Looking foward for that 14 inch macbook pro then.
 
I must be doing something wrong. Is your screenshot from the latest version of SwitchResX? I created the custom resolution of 3324 x 2160, but HDPI 1662x1080 doesn't show. It goes from 1800 x 1169 to 1512 x 945. SwitchResX shows my custom resolution as being "not installed."

Edit: Nevermind! Figured out how to save it and then needed to reboot for it to take affect.
 
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DC41 said:
I must be doing something wrong. Is your screenshot from the latest version of SwitchResX? I created the custom resolution of 3324 x 2160, but HDPI 1662x1080 doesn't show. It goes from 1800 x 1169 to 1512 x 945. SwitchResX shows my custom resolution as being "not installed."

Edit: Nevermind! Figured out how to save it and then needed to reboot for it to take affect.
Click to expand...
Yeah, sorry! I forgot to mention that it is necessary to save the new resolution and restart the Mac.
 
Thank you for great TIP for this resolution.

EDIT: Hmm, my eyes can't used to this resolution. Everything is so small and not comfy for me. I think Apple knows the best ideal resolution. I will go back to default 1512x982.
 
Last edited:
Super helpful! One thing I'm trying to wrap my head around, there seems to be at 1662x1080 extra space eaten up by the menu bar. I'm noticing switching between it and 1512 x 982, for instance, that the menu bar actually takes up less space despite the text being larger (specifically noticeable in the buffer between notch and desktop)?
 
cashyjk said:
Super helpful! One thing I'm trying to wrap my head around, there seems to be at 1662x1080 extra space eaten up by the menu bar. I'm noticing switching between it and 1512 x 982, for instance, that the menu bar actually takes up less space despite the text being larger (specifically noticeable in the buffer between notch and desktop)?
Click to expand...
Think I got the solve - I'd set 3324 x 2160 as my scaled resolutions base, setting this back to 3024 x 1964 seems to have fixed the issue.
 
I tried it with my New MacBook Pro 14.

Didn ‘t work. After Saving and restarting it said Not active- incomtible.(every custom Resultion didnt work)

Updated the mac before Hand to 13.3.

Which MacOS did u use?
 
Arteyst said:
I tried it with my New MacBook Pro 14.

Didn ‘t work. After Saving and restarting it said Not active- incomtible.(every custom Resultion didnt work)

Updated the mac before Hand to 13.3.

Which MacOS did u use?
Click to expand...

I'm using it with no problems on MBP 14 Max with 13.3, but I don't remember which os version I was on when I first installed it. Whatever version was released in 4/2022.

Xnip2023-04-06_12-50-44.jpg
 
Ok thanks for the answer.

Cleaned the System and trying as first thing with SwitchResX now than. I hope i get it to work- since the standard is to Big and the 1800x2 is a but to small.
 
It's funny to me because I'm using the M2 MBA with the "looks like 1280x832" setting, because the default scaling makes text and objects too small for my eyes (for the MBA and also the 14"/16" MBP). It's interesting to see people who have the opposite problem.
 
neo_cs193p said:
It's funny to me because I'm using the M2 MBA with the "looks like 1280x832" setting, because the default scaling makes text and objects too small for my eyes (for the MBA and also the 14"/16" MBP). It's interesting to see people who have the opposite problem.
Click to expand...
Everybody is different- True

My prefrence comes mabye from my 27 Inch 1440p Monitor ( for Windows usw). The text is a Bit smaller than usally i would say 😅

Well mabye i not seeing something but sadly i can‘t use it.

Well i Stick than to the standard, but thanks eveybody for the possible to get the Information
 

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Ok got it to work with BetterDisplay Pro. (for Everybody who Needs it)

Don‘t know why SwitchResX dont work.
 
jungleghost said:
Reading some posts here on the forum, I saw that some people complained about the resolutions available on the new MacBook Pro 14. Because the default configuration (1512x982) would have very large icons and little screen space, while the larger configuration (1800x1169), left everything too small to allow for more space.

Well, I have the solution to your problems, the middle ground between visibility and space.

I estimated an intermediate resolution between the two, which maintains the 14:9 standard, that is, the screen will not be "cut" in the notch region, it will be completely filled.

The resolution is 1662x1080.
An area of space very similar to the area of the old (2016~2019) 15" MacBooks (1680x1050), and maintains a clear and readable size.

To configure, just download SwitchResX, and configure a scaled resolution 3324 x 2160. This will enable HDPI 1662x1080 resolution with NOTCH aspect ratio, and magic, space and readability together.
Click to expand...
May I ask you what would be an equivalent of 3324x2160 "hack", but for Macbook Pro 16 M1 instead of 14? Thanks :)
 
I'm not sure if this is exactly what everyone is looking for, but FYI you have more scaling options native, without using SwitchResX or other.

Go to : Settings > Displays > Advanced.
Select "Show resolutions as list". Done.
scroll back up and toggle "Show all resolutions."

Done. a bunch more options for you.

I was looking for more space on my MBP14 than the "more space" setting. The next higher notch-friendly resolution is 2048 x 1330. Which makes things a bit small, but it works in a pinch for times when needed.

For me, the potential of having more space than the 14's "more space" is reason enough to consider the MBA15; though I con't find it's "more space" "looks like" info anywhere to confirm.
 
JudoChop said:
I'm not sure if this is exactly what everyone is looking for, but FYI you have more scaling options native, without using SwitchResX or other.

Go to : Settings > Displays > Advanced.
Select "Show resolutions as list". Done.
scroll back up and toggle "Show all resolutions."

Done. a bunch more options for you.

I was looking for more space on my MBP14 than the "more space" setting. The next higher notch-friendly resolution is 2048 x 1330. Which makes things a bit small, but it works in a pinch for times when needed.

For me, the potential of having more space than the 14's "more space" is reason enough to consider the MBA15; though I con't find it's "more space" "looks like" info anywhere to confirm.
Click to expand...
I tried this option through Settings but for anything over 1800x1169 the fonts are blurry not crisp like 1800x1169 or Mac OS default values. Am I doing anything wrong?
 
RDM and SwitchResX simply don't work.

BetterDisplay solves this problem completely, giving your virtually infinite HiDPI resolutions using the full area of the display. I have multiple presets, the top of which is 146% native (2208x1434) on my 14" and it looks incredible.

github.com

GitHub - waydabber/BetterDisplay: Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more!

Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more! - waydabber/BetterDisplay
github.com github.com

I'm using the Pro version and can't recall what the difference is, but it's very much worth it. Not affiliated at all, just a long-time HiDPI display hacker on the older intel machines for years and was frustrated by having no solution when I first got my 14".

This software works miles better than RDM+hacks and SwitchResX - as they did on Intel machines - as well as offers boosting to 1000 nits for the Apple Silicon 14"/16" MBP.

(sorry to post in multiple threads, but I wish I knew about this software sooner, blew way too much time trying to solve this).
 
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