Improper scaling on large 4k screen (Mac Mini M4).

So TVs are not made to be viewed from across the room?

The TV is not able to connect to a PC or Mac?

This connection is not 4K?

I don't see the issue with viewing this from across the room, except for the issue of title bars and menus being way too small. Even up close they are way too small, but why would you sit up close to a 65"?

Here is a screenshot for how small they are.

I got the lowest level Mac mini m4 with 512gb storage to replace a pretty old windows PC that was not upgradable anymore and couldn't update to Windows 11 due to TPM.

I mainly use this for web browsing and streaming in my living room from the couch.

But using any title bars in the windows of apps or menu bar at the top of the desktop is extremely difficult, or even using the settings app can be a pain. Widgets for Clock, Date, and Weather are really small with small font.

I want to keep the 16:9 aspect ratio and 4K resolution because it's mostly for viewing pictures, shows, movies while having the extra functionality to view the widgets when not being used, plus it acts as a central location for find my and syncs with my iPhone (passwords, bookmarks, 2FA from texts, air drop, etc.).

Since it's mini, I can easily move to a smaller screen for more fine detail work... But I do not believe title bars and menus should be so difficult when it allows a 4K large screen to be used.

I am new to Apple and Mac ecosystem and have not used a "Retina" display or a "Retina-like mode". Upon a simple search, does this just alter the scaling of the UI but still uses the 4K resolution? Why say it is a different resolution, but still use the 4K resolution? It is somewhat confusing without a deep dive into it.

Yes, that is helpful. The Mac Mini is not calling it "Retina" mode or any such fancy words, and is just calling it resolution... And apparently you can click "show all resolutions" and some state "(low resolution)". I had assumed I was setting the output and probably shouldn't have taken it at face value. This will suit me just fine and appreciate the help @woodmeister50, though I do like the widget sizing for 2560p better haha oh well, not a dealbreaker. @Servant of Cats - Appreciate the point in the right direction, though the "refuses to use" comment was unnecessary. @den.thed - Working in the tech world, I understand why you'd go to the "user" being the issue but if you're not going to assist, perhaps stay away from the community.

Yes, because how would you view 4k content on an output set to 1080p. At the time, I was unaware of "retina". So looking more into hiDPI/retina, you are using all the pixels of a 4k screen but not in true 4k. In some, or maybe most instances, it may not be noticeable especially at a distance. It's just, why not allow for separately scaling the menus and title bars rather than forcing 1080p with HiDPI to do this? Why allow everything else but those to be scaled at sizes where they work in true 4k? I can settle for a HiDPI setting, but true 4K HDR with VRR would be nice since it is supported. It's more like you're using a compatibility mode rather than offering 4k. If I load a 4k movie, it will downsize to 1080p and then use 4 pixels as 1 to fit the 4k screen rather than just displaying the 4k content.

Yeah, it just seems like a weird issue to still have in 2025 whether windows or apple... It's so odd that I would call it a bug even though I know it's only because they just haven't designed it that way. At the same time, I don't want to be the guy who says it seems like it should be easy but has no idea what this would take to implement. Feedback will be submitted but it seems like doing that may be a longshot. Thanks.

Everything does look tiny on Windows when going from 1080p to 4k at first... But this can be rectified at least mostly. You wouldn't think there would be no improvements to resolution and scaling for years lol

Well I am not certain if there is any difference... But nothing anywhere in any settings of the Mac mini, the TV, or any apps is "retina" mentioned. Perhaps if you have a retina screen, more is available to you. In my scenario, my searches have said that whether HiDPI or retina... That that is what it does. If you are correct, then I have no idea how to tell what is retina, what is retina-aware, and what is not. Why set to 1080 just to have specific apps utilize the 4k? You could just scale the sizing of title bars, menus, etc and have everything 4k.