Using 3840 × 2160 4k monitor in Mojave on MacPro

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Alf2001 Author

Level 1

22 points

Using 3840 × 2160 4k monitor in Mojave on MacPro

Hello, I have a 2013 MacPro6,1 with a HP LP3065 4k UHD monitor with a native resolution of 3840 × 2160. I would prefer to run in native mode but, as others have noted before, there seems to be no way to change the size of text in menu's and the like. It seems like portables with Retina display have a limited option using HiDPI scaling, but not sure if this would help on a MacPro. e.g. if I use a convenient resolution like 3008x1692 or 2560x1440, 3840 × 2160 is not an integer multiple of such sizes. I was wondering if Mojave had a new feature(s) that would allow one to change default font (and other) sizes in menus, windows, etc. Thanks

Posted on Jan 18, 2019 10:49 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 21, 2019 7:24 AM in response to Alf2001

See my previous reply here - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250092584?answerId=250167266022#250167266022

Basically, some older 4K monitors are pre-defined in the Mac operating system to be recognised as HiDPI capable and 'Retina' capable monitors but less well known or newer ones might not.

As an example I believe the Dell P2415Q would be recognised as a HiDPI aka Retina display as standard.

My above linked reply details possible approaches to override the settings and get other displays to be treated also as HiDPI aka Retina displays.

What is then supposed to happen is that user interface elements like the menubar, dialog boxes, etc. get drawn at a pseudo lower resolution but actually use the full number of pixels to create a sharp image with smooth edges. Other parts of the display like photos and videos should get drawn at the 'real' full resolution. This requires applications written to take advantage of HiDPI capabilities which most modern photo and video software does e.g. Preview, PhotoShop, FirstCut Pro etc. even Safari web-browser.

So setting the display to a scaled 'lower' resolution does not then waste the capabilities of your display.

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Answer 2

Jan 18, 2019 12:26 PM in response to Alf2001

if you want to run that display as if it were a "HiDPI" display and use retina display-like scaling on it, there's a setting for that in Terminal, or you can use one of a handful of third-party applications to do that:

https://www.tekrevue.com/tip/hidpi-mode-os-x/

https://medium.com/@ivan.ha/how-to-mimic-a-2k-monitor-as-retina-display-in-macos-sierra-using-hidpi-f53d87630c48

https://www.macobserver.com/tips/how-to/4k-monitor-retina-mode/

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Answer 3

Alf2001 Author

Level 1

22 points

Jan 19, 2019 9:11 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

thanks this answered my question and clarifies that HiDPI will map multiple hi-res pixels to a single pixel like Retina display on MBP. Picture is good, but I still think ti's a bit better running in 3840 × 2160. – of course, that means putting up with small text in menus and the like until Apple includes an option to change text size for these items in OS.

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Answer 4

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jan 21, 2019 8:41 AM in response to Alf2001

In Display Properties what is show inf Scaled is dotted?

It should show either a option for selecting 5 "resolutions" titled from larger text on left side to More space on right side. If you move the cursor over them them under the display picture on the left it will list the looks like resolution.

If you depress the Option key and click on the scaled you will get a listing of the resolutions available.

I get these options with my older Dell UP2414Q 4K and newer LG 4K display on my 2013 MP.

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Using 3840 × 2160 4k monitor in Mojave on MacPro

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