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What is the maximum resolution possible for MacBook Pro 14" 2021?
According to spec its 3024 x 1964
However for me, in Display Settings->Scaled->More Space it only shows "Looks like 1180 x 1169".
Is this normal or is there something wrong with configuration on my device?
Any way to make use of high resolution modes?
Thank you.
MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 12.4
Displays Preferences shows SCALED resolutions. These are NOT the Hardware resolutions you display is set to. These are effective resolutions for TEXT when displayed on that display when you select Scaled.
They are intended to be a convenience for you, but they often cause concern and outright alarm instead.
To see the ACTUAL resolution your display is set to use:
Menu > about this Mac > (system report) > Graphics & Displays
Select your display and scroll around until you see two items.
The first is self explanatory: 'Resolution:' 2560 by 1080
This is the hardware resolution at which your display is operating. Graphics are drawn at this Actual Resolution. But there is a problem -- If text were displayed at the Actual Resolution, on HiDPI displays, it would be microscopic and unreadable.
The second resolution shown is 'User Interface Looks like:' this reveals the apparent size of text displayed on your display after scaling is applied ONLY to textual items.
Text is rendered at full resolution, then SCALED by the display Hardware by a factor (like 1.2 or 1.5, or 2.0) before it is aded to the display buffer. This makes it fully readable, yet maintains crisp edges that would be lost otherwise.
Displays Preferences shows SCALED resolutions. These are NOT the Hardware resolutions you display is set to. These are effective resolutions for TEXT when displayed on that display when you select Scaled.
They are intended to be a convenience for you, but they often cause concern and outright alarm instead.
To see the ACTUAL resolution your display is set to use:
Menu > about this Mac > (system report) > Graphics & Displays
Select your display and scroll around until you see two items.
The first is self explanatory: 'Resolution:' 2560 by 1080
This is the hardware resolution at which your display is operating. Graphics are drawn at this Actual Resolution. But there is a problem -- If text were displayed at the Actual Resolution, on HiDPI displays, it would be microscopic and unreadable.
The second resolution shown is 'User Interface Looks like:' this reveals the apparent size of text displayed on your display after scaling is applied ONLY to textual items.
Text is rendered at full resolution, then SCALED by the display Hardware by a factor (like 1.2 or 1.5, or 2.0) before it is aded to the display buffer. This makes it fully readable, yet maintains crisp edges that would be lost otherwise.
Thank you for the explanation Grant.
It makes sense. Although I wouldn't mind if the text could be made a little bit smaller.
Interestingly I do not see the "User Interface Looks like" in the system report. I do see it for external displays, but not for the built-in one.
If you're also using an external display
If you're using an external display to extend your desktop, you can choose a preferred resolution for each display. To see additional resolutions for the external display, press and hold the Option key while selecting the Scaled button.
I am not finding an article that illustrates it, but you should get a list of alternate resolutions, EXCEPT for built-in display, which is fixed resolution.
Did you hold the Option key while you click on Scaled to get the the list of all possible scalings?
No I had not.
But I just tried that and do not see anything different. Still only see 5 options from “large text” to “more space”.
I’m on macOS 12.4
MacBook Pro Resolution for "More Space" Display Setting
