Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Scale 1680x1050 on rMB without an app

Mac mini M1 just arrived (first expercience with Apple), same problem with LG 27GL850 (2560 x 1440). It's all too small, I cannot change the scale, only the resolution, but if I do all appears blurred. Gonna buy the HDMI EDID 4K-1P as suggested to try the SwitchResX hack. I keep you all updated.

@itsphilgeorge
 
jfet97 said:
Mac mini M1 just arrived (first expercience with Apple), same problem with LG 27GL850 (2560 x 1440). It's all too small, I cannot change the scale, only the resolution, but if I do all appears blurred. Gonna buy the HDMI EDID 4K-1P as suggested to try the SwitchResX hack. I keep you all updated.

@itsphilgeorge
Click to expand...
Before you purchase anything, you may be able to resolve this using SwitchResX or simply choosing from a scaled resolution within System Preferences > Displays.

If you hold down the Command [⌘] button when you click on Scaled (assuming it is available), that should work.

Let me know how you go.
 
So is this possible to do on a ultrawide display (3440x1440)? Unfortunately 2x the horizontal dimensions is greater than what is supported on the mini. I guess I may just have to live with less than sharp fonts, because I am not throwing out a perfectly good (and expensive) display.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Thebnt said:
Whichever it is you end up buying please update if it works
Click to expand...
Sure I'll do! I have bought both eheh. Anyway @Thebnt , have you tried to create a custom resolution that is 2x your monitor resolution with SwitchResX? Reading your messages it seems you have missed this step...you have to manually create that resolution, to then mirror it.
 
jfet97 said:
Sure I'll do! I have bought both eheh. Anyway @Thebnt , have you tried to create a custom resolution that is 2x your monitor resolution with SwitchResX? Reading your messages it seems you have missed this step...you have to manually create that resolution, to then mirror it.
Click to expand...
Yes I’ve tried this. SwitchresX let’s me create a resolution of 3840 x 2160 but I don’t see any HiDPI options like 1920x1080 at 2x. It just lets me create the resolution at 1x
 
Tried all my best, but SwitchResX doesn't allow me to create a resolution of 5120 x 2880 (it's invalid) so I cannot try to mirror that, nor I see any HiDPI option. :(
 
I have done it! I got HiDPI working on my mac mini connected to a benq 2k monitor. I've got options of 720p, 1080p, 1440p HiDPI and more. I had to buy a dummy hdmi plug costing about $10. Then created a startup resolution of 1920 x 1080 with scaled base at 3840 x 2160 on switchresX. That enabled HiDPI options on the dummy plug and now I'm mirroring that to my mac mini's primary display. At least now I don't have to spend $500-1000 on a new display.
 
  • Like
Reactions: itsphilgeorge
@Thebnt good work!!! Which version of SwitchResX are you using? And may you share one or more detailed pics of your SwitchResX setting? Thanks! It would help me a lot.
Any resolution I create becomes invalid, I do not know what I amdoing wrong.
 
Last edited:
jfet97 said:
@Thebnt good work!!! Which version of SwitchResX are you using? And may you share one or more detailed pics of your SwitchResX setting? Thanks! It would help me a lot.
Any resolution I create becomes invalid, I do not know what I amdoing wrong.
Click to expand...
I did it because I don't give up and I like to make the best of what I have. We need to value earth's resources, not just throw out something like a perfectly good display because of corporate greed.

Just make sure all your settings are as per the screenshots, when you restart you should be able to see hidpi options.

Don't just throw money around and waste earth's resources. I'd like to take this opportunity to talk about the environment.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2021-06-30 at 1.19.02 PM.png
    Screenshot 2021-06-30 at 1.19.02 PM.png
    299.3 KB · Views: 362
  • Screenshot 2021-06-30 at 1.19.21 PM.png
    Screenshot 2021-06-30 at 1.19.21 PM.png
    234.2 KB · Views: 361
  • Screenshot 2021-06-30 at 1.20.26 PM.png
    Screenshot 2021-06-30 at 1.20.26 PM.png
    108.3 KB · Views: 348
  • Screenshot 2021-06-30 at 1.19.57 PM.png
    Screenshot 2021-06-30 at 1.19.57 PM.png
    362.7 KB · Views: 366
  • Like
Reactions: itsphilgeorge
@Thebnt Thanks buddy! I was not planning to buy another monitor, I just gave up ahah.

Anyway, in my case startup + scaled resolution did the trick enabling HiDPI.

I cannot set a custom resolution because all become invalid, but it seems there is no real need for it. IDK why, I am using SwitchResX version 4.11.2a2 (beta), I am on Big Sur 11.4. You? Am I missing something?
 
  • Like
Reactions: itsphilgeorge
jfet97 said:
@Thebnt Thanks buddy! I was not planning to buy another monitor, I just gave up ahah.

Anyway, in my case startup + scaled resolution did the trick enabling HiDPI.

I cannot set a custom resolution because all become invalid, but it seems there is no real need for it. IDK why, I am using SwitchResX version 4.11.2a2 (beta), I am on Big Sur 11.4. You? Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Are you using a dummy now? Or were you able to enable the HiDPI option without one?
 
jfet97 said:
@Thebnt Thanks buddy! I was not planning to buy another monitor, I just gave up ahah.

Anyway, in my case startup + scaled resolution did the trick enabling HiDPI.

I cannot set a custom resolution because all become invalid, but it seems there is no real need for it. IDK why, I am using SwitchResX version 4.11.2a2 (beta), I am on Big Sur 11.4. You? Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
You can use HiDPI now ha you owe me big time
 
Hi,

I ordered USB-C to DisplayPort converter and fake HDMI 4K. I'll test it on Monday to enable HighDPI on my QuadHD Dell monitor. I'll post a report later.
 
Aleksid1 said:
Hi,

I ordered USB-C to DisplayPort converter and fake HDMI 4K. I'll test it on Monday to enable HighDPI on my QuadHD Dell monitor. I'll post a report later.
Click to expand...
It works a 100%, just make sure to set startup and scaled resolutions in switchresX. I guarantee this solution works
 
I've M1 MacBook air 11.4, the font on the laptop screen is sharp and clear but if I connect it to an external monitor then the font is blurry. The external monitor is Dell p2419h and I'm connected using usb-c to display port on monitor.

Is there a way to fix ?
 
Yes, it really works! I now have QuadHD monitor connected to Mac Mini M1 with HighDPI mode and sharp and large fonts.
 
I posted a step-by-step tutorial:

forums.macrumors.com

Solution. QuadHD monitor with HiDPI and Mac Mini M1

Hi, Many users ask how to enable HiDPI on external QuadHD monitor (2560 x 1440) connected to your Mac Mini M1. macOS does NOT allow you enable HiDPI on such monitor. And you see a very blurry picture with large fonts (low screen resolution), or sharp picture (with native screen resolution)...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ozboz
Can you really get 2560x1440 QHD monitor run in 2560x1440 UI looks like resolution in HiDPI mode using this dummy HDMI plug? And font size and look is the same as it would be in real 4K monitor running UI looks like 2560x1440?
That sound really tempting and making me consider giving up 4K monitor I just got due to this issue with bad looking font in my 2560x1440 monitor.
 
Of course, real 4K monitor with the same diagonal size (24-27") will give sharper picture than QHD monitor (24-27").

I have some doubts about 27" QHD monitor. But 24" QHD monitor looks really good in macOS with sharp picture. Very close to real 4K screen.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: itsphilgeorge
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back