Scaling 4k monitor - Catalina and Mac mini

[moparmaniacc]

Help! I have read all kinds of articles and still can't get scaling to show up as a display option on my Mac mini 2014 with 1GB display memory and Dell S2817Q 4k monitor.

I choose scaled display while pressing the Option key, and don't get the option to change scaling e.g., "larger text" "more space".

Using SwitchResX, 3840 x 2160 looks beautiful and crisp --- but the font and icons are too tiny.
3008 x 1692 is about the right size for everything, but --- everything is somewhat blurry.
1080p30 looks crisp but --- everything is way too big.

From what I understand, fooling around with fonts and icons sizes isn't a good workaround.

I have tried using both Displayport and HDMI cables.

I just know this is happening cuz Apple doesn't want me to build a nice Mac for just over $300. I guess they want me to buy a 27" 4k or 5k model for $2000 or more.

Any ideas on how to get this to work right? 4K monitors have been around for years!

thanks in advance, John

 

[Fravin]

What is a "Dell Mac mini"?

 

[tommiy]

Assuming you are running Catalina (it is the Catalina forum) there appears a number of HDMI issues with the Mini in the existing threads associated with HDMI issues and problems. Assuming you checked there prior to posting.
Catalina HDMI Issues
Checking the specs of your monitor it does not support Thunderbolt connectivity only HDMI and Display Port. So assuming you are using an adapter between the two. Look at the thread provided there is numerous information regarding this. However, Catalina also has an issue that if connected to multiple monitors and you disconnect and reconnect a 4k HDMI monitor that the resolution selected is incorrect when reconnecting. It provides no options to scale. You need to disconnect everything and reconnect after 30 sec to get scaling options. At least that is the way Catalina works on my MBP with a external 4k HDMI monitor.

 

[moparmaniacc]

Thank you Tommiy. I have corrected my mistakes. You are right, no Thunderbolt, my bad. I am currently using DisplayPort mini to DisplayPort mini. I also tried HDMI at some point. I think it might be better to stick with DP. I will reread the thread and try HDMI if nothing else. thx, John

 

[tommiy]

Let me know how you go. I switch my monitor between displays and could only find a HDMI 4k@60Hz switcher. I tried DP and spent $70 on a DP switch that worked but you could never turn off a display. If you turned off a display the signal would not recover until after a power restart of the switch. Hence I ended up at HDMI.

 

[moparmaniacc]

I'm not running dual monitors. Simply a mini DP on my Mac mini to a mini DP port on my Dell display. I tried HDMI and that didn't help. 3008 x 1692 is my best option until software is fixed.

 

[tommiy]

You did make me go back and look at the switcher (Displayport switcher) to see if the issue has been fixed but no such luck. I notified the local reseller of the issues in the reviews of this product and confirmed that the device i purchased from them only functioned providing it was operating 100% of the time otherwise you had to power cycle the device. Seems they are still selling it irrespective of this obvious issue. No one ever turns off their PC/MAC or lets it sleep right?

I've spent the morning trying to get case numbers registered for my 4 issues with Apple on external monitors and resolution issues. So far I've had 2 advisors, one which dropped out after getting all the details. The next has passed me to engineering. 2 hours invested so far for 1 issue....seems i'll need an entire working day to log the 4 of them.