font scaling

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Level 1

12 points

font scaling

one day old user of Apple...Mac Mini....Big Sur Looking to switch from Win10. I'm using a 34"LG Ultra wide monitor 3440 X 1440 resolution. Sur finds the display and sets the default resolution no problem.

dock bar at bottom shows nice size icons but bar at very top has text that is so small it's difficult to read.

Apple support says scale down the resolution on the display and things will get bigger....yes that is true but if this is the only solution than what is the point in buying a 4K or 5K monitor. I'd like to increase the size of the operating systems fonts.......the way it's working is not useable thanks for any suggestions

is there an optimum type monitor to use with Mac? Steve

Mac mini, macOS 11.4

Posted on Jun 26, 2021 4:34 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Lucky13

Level 2

215 points

Aug 9, 2021 8:18 AM in response to evetsmd

"...but bar at very top has text that is so small it's difficult to read."

System Preferences>Accessibility>Display

Menu Bar Size - choose "Large" rather than "Default"

You may have to log out and back in for the change to take effect. It's not drastic by any means - but it may help.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,272 points

Jun 26, 2021 2:42 PM in response to evetsmd

Don't overlook your 14-day return policy in the U.S. Applications written for the Mac use the same menu bar text as the Finder menu bar. There is still no means to enlarge the application menu bar font size.

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,272 points

Jun 26, 2021 7:24 AM in response to evetsmd

Other than changing the display resolution, there is no user configuration setting to make the top menu bar font size larger.

I am using an LG 32UN880-B 4K UltraFine display via HDMI from an M1 mini and also happen to have a computer prescription from my optometrist that makes the small menu bar text quite legible. I am using the default for display (3840x2160) setting.

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Answer 4

evetsmd Author

Level 1

12 points

Jun 26, 2021 7:52 AM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks....My monitor is an LG 34" 34UC98W, also using HDMI at default 3840x2160. I guess the issue then becomes why buy a high res ultra wide monitor unless you need it for photo or video work. I looked at the 27" and 21" in the store. They have the same issue......I'm only a 3 day old Mac user......not the way I had hoped things would transition from Win 10. Do apps have the same font problem or do they give you some flexibility? I'll have to take a look.

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Answer 5

Aug 9, 2021 12:14 AM in response to evetsmd

2 day old Mac mini M1 user here ...same exact issue I am facing..Windows 10 had that 'scaling' feature that helped. Keeping the montiors(s) at max resolution and then bumping that scaling slider up to 125% helped. I haven't found anything similar in the MAC. Everything else about it is spectacular so far, but the tiny font size without sacrificing your monitors highest res setting is a bit puzzling how there isn't a workaround solution sans dropping your max resolution down, I like you don't want to do either lol.

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Answer 6

Aug 9, 2021 1:11 PM in response to Lucky13

that did help the very top menu bar just a smidge...thanks....Now to get Apple engineers to allow something similar for all open windows. ; )

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Answer 7

Aug 9, 2021 4:22 AM in response to evetsmd

This has been the way macOS has been for years and has not changed one bit. The only thing you can do is send your dissatisfaction here Product Feedback - Apple or return your Mac before the 14 day return window expires and return to a Windows machine.

However, there is an option in System Preferences->Accessibility. In the left panel under Vision->Zoom, you can enable hover text so that items under the pointer will pop up in larger print (user selectable size and the activation key can be modified under Options...).

As noted, it uses an "activation" key so it as not to create annoying pop ups.

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font scaling

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