4k monitor "default for display" resolution is 1080p?

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4k monitor "default for display" resolution is 1080p?

Hey there! Just got a new Dell 4k monitor (U2720Q). It's currently connected via USB-C to my 2020 13" mbp. It appears to be running in 1080p by default, which was a bit of a surprise to me. I figured default would be, yaknow, 4k.

When I open About This Mac -> Displays it is clearly detected as a monitor capable of 3840x2160. In display preferences, "default for display" is checked. I know I can select to scale it but I'd like to run un-scaled at 4k (or scale down to 1440p). Is something amiss? Is it normal for default for display on a 4k monitor to pop you into 1080p? Any help/advice appreciated. Thanks.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 21, 2020 8:32 PM

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Answer 1

Halliday

Level 4

2,697 points

Jul 21, 2020 8:59 PM in response to zapnap

zapnap:

It is normal to get lower resolution if the cables or port (on computer or monitor) cannot support full resolution.

Unfortunately, I do not know the details of the monitor or of the particular MackBook Pro model.

However, I do know that not all "USB-C" cables are "created equal": there are "regular" USB-C cables, that can support the "usual" USB-C specification; USB-C cables that can support the optional Display Port extension; and USB-C cables that support Thunderbolt 3.

So, while I cannot be certain, my "suspicions" would fall upon the cables.

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Answer 2

Halliday

Level 4

2,697 points

Jul 22, 2020 8:35 AM in response to zapnap

In addition to what Luis Sequeira1 wrote, zapnap, some displays (or, at least. some ports on some displays) default to lower resolution, unless an internal option is changed.

My 4K display, while using HDMI rather than USB-C with Displayport, has one port that defaulted to HDMI 1.4, but, with the change of an internal setting, would then support HDMI 2.0.

See the manual. 😉

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Answer 3

Jul 22, 2020 7:23 AM in response to zapnap

You are probably not going to be able to change the default.

I suppose the default may be one of those "HiDPI" settings, where the display is nominally 1080, but images can be rendered using the full resolution.

You can always try the Scaled choices.

For some displays, additional choices may be presented if you hold down the Option key while clicking on "Scaled".

What choices do you see?

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Answer 4

Halliday

Level 4

2,697 points

Jul 22, 2020 3:40 PM in response to zapnap

zapnap:

No Monitor Settings, by some means other than through the Mac?

No Monitor Utilities provided Dell?

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Answer 5

zapnap Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 22, 2020 3:16 PM in response to Halliday

Docs have been read. I don't see anything of the sort unfortunately and it looks like this is the recommended use. Still not sure why it's defaulting to 1080p. Obviously I can select a scaled option (which provides options all the way up to 4k), but that's going to place more strain on the system/GPU/etc... and presumably introduce some scaling artifacts, though the pixel density might make that not super noticeable. I guess I'll just run it at 1080p for now, or scale to 1440p and see how it handles it. Just weird that it didn't default to 4k and I wanted to be sure that something wasn't amiss.

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Answer 6

Jul 23, 2020 12:04 AM in response to zapnap

Going to 4K and pushing the gpu harder has absolutely nothing to do with whatever the default is. 4K is four times the number of pixels as 1080.

Just use whatever settings work for you. Your mac can cope. If 4K is what you want and since your

mac and display support it, it will be fine.

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Answer 7

zapnap Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 22, 2020 6:38 AM in response to Halliday

Thanks for the reply! I'm using the cable that came with the monitor... so seems surprising that it wouldn't be capable of carrying 4k. But I'll pick up another and test it...

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Answer 8

Halliday

Level 4

2,697 points

Jul 22, 2020 3:35 PM in response to zapnap

Unless "scaled" does something other than what I have seen it do, you won't find your answers there.

As Luis Sequeira1 suggested:

For some displays, additional choices may be presented if you hold down the Option key while clicking on "Scaled".

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4k monitor "default for display" resolution is 1080p?

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