MacBook looks awful on external monitor

Question

MacBook looks awful on external monitor

At work, I use a 2-way HDMI switcher to connect both our Windows 10 PC and my MacBook Air to one 32" 1080p display and I switch between them using the button the switcher. For some reason, my Windows 10 PC looks nice and crisp on the display, but the MacBook's output looks awful in comparison. Both computers are set to output the max resolution of the display (1920x1080), so how is this possible? They are both connected using the exact same brand of HDMI cable and I even tried two different HDMI to USB-C adapters (the Apple multi-port adapter and an Anker single-port adapter) with the MacBook (Windows tower has HDMI port so no adapter is involved). I mean, just look at the difference in the following two screenshots:

WINDOWS COMPUTER (crisp lines and images)

MACBOOK (blurry lines and images)

Also, I tried connecting the MacBook directly to the display, but the quality is the same (poor).

Display:

Dell D Series LED-Lit Monitor 31.5" White D3218HN, FHD 1920x1080, 16:9, IPS LED Back-lit, HDMI, VGA, VESA

Cables:

Amazon Basics High-Speed HDMI Cable (18Gbps, 4K/60Hz)

Switcher:

HDMI Switch, BENFEI 4K HDMI Switcher 2 Input 1 Output, 1 Input 2 Output, Supports 4K 3D HD 1080P

Posted on Sep 4, 2021 5:01 PM

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Answer 1

Eric_G1

Community Specialist

Sep 5, 2021 11:14 AM in response to barmherzigkeitmusik

Hello barmherzigkeitmusik,

We see you're having an issue with your external display's image appearing blurry, and we can help out there.

To start, this page is specific to that type of issue, so we'd recommend trying the suggestions here, including updating the macOS version, if needed: If your external display isn't detected or appears blurry on your Mac

If it persists, and you're using an Intel-based Mac, you may also try resetting the NVRAM: Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac

If it still continues to happen after the above steps, we'd recommend following up directly with Apple Support for further investigation. This page can help you start a support request: Get Support

Take care.

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Answer 2

Sep 5, 2021 12:01 PM in response to Eric_G1

As mentioned in my OP, I verified that the MacBook is set to output at the display's max resolution 1920x1080, yet it still appears "out of focus" compared to the Windows computer connected to the same display. I ordered a 4k display yesterday and will see if that fixes the issue, but it still doesn't make sense why the MacBook can't display a clear image on the 1080p display when a Windows computer can.

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Answer 3

Eric_G1

Community Specialist

Sep 5, 2021 2:50 PM in response to barmherzigkeitmusik

barmherzigkeitmusik,

If the first link provided hadn't helped, we'd recommend trying the steps to reset the NVRAM from the second link.

If it does continue to persist, we'd advise reaching out to Apple Support here for further investigation: Get Support

Cheers.

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Answer 4

babowa

Level 9

78,109 points

Sep 5, 2021 3:52 PM in response to barmherzigkeitmusik

What is the default resolution of the Macbook? What is the model/year?

Apple's displays have always shown to look the very best set at the default resolution. And, having the external display it differently on a Mac vs. a Windows machine is normal = they are very different technologies.

I'd also not use anything called "Amazon Basics" - HDMI cables can be startlingly different quality. I only buy HDMI cables from vendors I trust.

Last but not least, I have to say: I know my eyes are getting older, but I really cannot make out much of a difference between your two screenshots - maybe my MBA has a lousy display (don't think so).

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MacBook looks awful on external monitor

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