New MacBook doesn't support 16-bit colors?

Question

Level 1

14 points

New MacBook doesn't support 16-bit colors?

Hi,

I just bought one of the new Santa Rosa MacBooks with the GMA X3100 integrated graphics chipset. More specifically, it's the white 2.2 GHz model with 1 GB of RAM, running Leopard.

I'm unable to run in 16-bit color mode (thousands of colors). One application I've tried to run that requires it switches to 256 color mode automatically, and looks terrible. In System Preferences, I have only two color options: "Millions of colors" and "256 colors," and the latter is grayed out so I can't choose it manually.

I'm looking for a workaround. I suspect this is a fairly major issue with the new MacBooks, as there are a lot of older programs that need 16-bit color to run properly. Is there a new graphics driver I can install, or perhaps some sort of emulation technique I can use to fake compatibility? Or better yet, an official update from Apple on the way?

Thanks for your help!
-Parker Smith

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5), 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics, 1 GB RAM

Posted on Nov 12, 2007 8:28 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 12, 2007 12:58 PM in response to Parker Smith

Yup, unfortunately I can confirm this issue - no 16 bit colour mode. Which basically means that the Age of Empires 2 game I bought with the macbook won't work. Now I'm guessing this is some kind of temporary oversight (surely!) as there are many applications out there that require a 16 bit colour mode.

On the plus side, there is no more screen flicker on these models, and the wavy lines/screen noise is gone.If that's the trade off for no 16 bit, then I'll take it, after having nearly been driven insane by my mid 2007 MB's crappy screen.

Another downer though is the occurence of sound bleeping and whistling and hiss when using headphones try it in a quiet room with no audio and then turn the volume up or down around 3-4 bars - this must be a Santa Rosa issue, as the MB pros have the same problem - my previous MB was fine. Anyway, that's an aside, don't mean to change the topic!

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Answer 2

Parker Smith Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 12, 2007 1:10 PM in response to david waddington

That's unfortunate, I don't suppose you've found a solution/workaround/hack for the color issue yet?

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Answer 3

~David

Level 1

0 points

Nov 12, 2007 2:44 PM in response to Parker Smith

Well, I can confirm the issue (Yet another check against the display panels in the new MacBooks. See my thread: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1233849&tstart=0), but I know of no solutions.

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Answer 4

Nov 13, 2007 2:48 AM in response to ~David

Hi ~David,

Apart from the 16 bit issue, I'm really happy with the new Macbook screen - it's much better than my previous gen Macbook screens (and I have had 3 of 'em!).

I will agree though that Apple seem to generally use low quality displays these days, which is rather disappointing, and don't appear to fix existing issues - they just release a new model and expect folks to upgrade!

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Answer 5

Nov 13, 2007 8:25 AM in response to Parker Smith

Well, here it is from the horses mouth - the Apple developer notes for the Macbook (Late 2007):

The MacBook computer introduced in November 2007, based on the Intel Core 2 Duo, has a 13.3-inch, glossy, widescreen flat-panel display (measured diagonally). The display has a Low Reflection Glossy Polarizer (LRGP). Display depths up to 24 bits per pixel at all supported screen resolutions.

The MacBook supports an LCD display size of 1280x800 pixels at 114 dpi, 250 nits single bulb and shows up to millions of colors. The MacBook does not support thousands of colors mode.

***? Why? It supports 256 colours, and millions, but not the one in between? eh?

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Answer 6

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Nov 13, 2007 11:09 AM in response to david waddington

It would appear to me the graphics chipset is the limitation.

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Answer 7

Nov 13, 2007 3:09 PM in response to a brody

Yeah I agree, but if the GMA 950 in the older MB's can do it, and if BootCamp in the new MB'scan do it too...
I can not think of a suitable reason why they would leave this out.

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Answer 8

Parker Smith Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 14, 2007 10:23 AM in response to david waddington

Well, that's a pretty definitive answer, I guess. So the question becomes, is there a way to fake it? Can we emulate 16-bit color mode to fix the programs that require it? I would imagine that might be a fairly easy hack for someone to cobble together?

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Answer 9

Parker Smith Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 20, 2007 7:18 AM in response to Parker Smith

Just a little bump... is anyone aware of a workaround for this issue? Thanks!

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Answer 10

VivaLaCaz

Level 2

262 points

Nov 23, 2007 10:02 AM in response to Parker Smith

I too, have this problem and am trying to run Age of Empires 2: Mac Edition but it won't let me due to the GMA X3100, it is most likely a software issue since it lets you go to 16-bit color on Ubuntu 7.10.

Pretty frustrating, but hopefully Apple comes up with an update for the GMA X3100 that allows it to run in 16-bit color.

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Answer 11

Randy Fast

Level 4

1,432 points

Nov 24, 2007 11:08 AM in response to Parker Smith

If the new macbooks do not do 16bit color mode then what mode do they run in? I am looking to get one but I see the screen may not be the best around.

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Answer 12

Parker Smith Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 15, 2009 10:13 PM in response to Parker Smith

Marking question as answered. Apple has released some software updates that improved graphic performance on this model of MacBook. The application I was having trouble with also offered an upgrade that fixed the specific problem I was having.

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