Different display scaling options between MBA and Mac mini

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

Hello.
Most of the time, I'm content using my MBA without an external display but recently I started using the same one I've got hooked up to my Mac mini.

However, the Mac mini offers different display scaling options than the MBA. The mini goes from 2560x1440 straight to 3840x2160 - whereas the MBA lists 3008x1692 between those two resolutions.

They're both standard M1 versions and both machines are running the latest release of Sonoma.

Does anyone have an idea why they'd show different options here?

 

[joevt]

Because Apple wants you to buy a more expensive computer?
https://www.madrau.com/support/supp...nt_there_any_HiDPI_resolu.html?TB_iframe=true
There might be a file somewhere that lists the default scaled modes somewhere. At least there is one for Intel Macs but Apple Silicon Macs don't use that file.
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreDisplay.framework/Versions/A/Resources/IOGraphicsProperties.plist

Can you use SwitchResX to create a scaled resolution of 6016x3384? If it works then it should create the 3008x1692 HiDPI mode that you're looking for. I think you need to be running Ventura to get most of the features of SwitchResX.
https://www.madrau.com/support/supp...tchResX_compatible_with_A.html?TB_iframe=true

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

Because Apple wants you to buy a more expensive computer?
https://www.madrau.com/support/supp...nt_there_any_HiDPI_resolu.html?TB_iframe=true
There might be a file somewhere that lists the default scaled modes somewhere. At least there is one for Intel Macs but Apple Silicon Macs don't use that file.
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreDisplay.framework/Versions/A/Resources/IOGraphicsProperties.plist

Can you use SwitchResX to create a scaled resolution of 6016x3384? If it works then it should create the 3008x1692 HiDPI mode that you're looking for. I think you need to be running Ventura to get most of the features of SwitchResX.
https://www.madrau.com/support/supp...tchResX_compatible_with_A.html?TB_iframe=true

Thanks for this. I'm going to look into SwitchResX

One more "funny" thing I noticed is that my 2020 Intel MacBook Pro offers yet another set of resolutions, completely omits 3840x2160 and only allows 30 Hz on the external screen, regardless of resolution. This is all using the same dongle and HDMI cable, too.

 

[joevt]

For Intel Macs, you can get a list of capabilities and supported modes using AllRez. It might give a clue about the adapter if SwitchResX can't add the mode you want.

 

[meson]

How are you connecting to the display? Don't use HDMI on the M1 mini, use DisplayPort via usb c/thunderbolt. The HDMI port on the M1 mini can only do 4k@60Hz and does not have the bandwidth for the 6k->4k high dpi scaling that the 3008x1692 resolution uses. That is only available over the DisplayPort connection which is capable of driving 6k@60Hz.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

How are you connecting to the display? Don't use HDMI on the M1 mini, use DisplayPort via usb c/thunderbolt. The HDMI port on the M1 mini can only do 4k@60Hz and does not have the bandwidth for the 6k->4k high dpi scaling that the 3008x1692 resolution uses. That is only available over the DisplayPort connection which is capable of driving 6k@60Hz.

Interesting! I wasn't aware of that - but it seems to be the issue.
My Mac mini was indeed connected via HDMI.

The MacBook Air I had connected to the display via a USB-C to HDMI dongle. I tried the same setup on the Mac mini now and the resolution is available.
Does that mean if I were to get a USB-C to display port cable, I'd need one that supports 6k?

The mystery that remains is the Intel MacBook Pro.

 

[meson]

As long as the cable is DisplayPort 1.2 or better, you will be fine.