Font Size Too Small

Bruce points out that the problem is solved in the retina models.

I would just like to add that I read that the retina graphics is available in a beta test version for earlier models. I don't have a link but it was somewhere on this forum so should not be too difficult to find. There is a bit of installation involved but as far as I undestand it it gives you scalable fonts on the regular display.

Hello, under Lion on my 27" iMac (mid 2010 - native resolution : 2560 x 1440, 109 dpi) I used SwitchResX to create a scaled resolution up to 3520 X 1980 (used only to trick the video card). Then with HiDPI mode activated I was able to configure my screen in 1760 x 990 (HiDPI).

That mean 75 dpi screen with retina display !

Work also with 2880 x 1620 to configure in 1440 x 810 (HiDPI)

Since I have installed Mavricks (10.9.1) it seams to be limited to native resolution and can be configure only to 1280 x 720 (HiDPI) witch not fit some applications.

Please Apple, let people with more than 40 years old use your huge 27" without glasses !

(60 to 75 dpi)

I had the same problem where I was unable to make out the menue tool bar...I solved my problem by going to system preferences/display: then I changed the display resolution to 1920 X 1440. Then I adjuted the page to fit the screen the way I like it. The screen was a bit blurry so I pushed my monitor away from me untill I was able to see the screen perfect. I wish I had done this a long time ago instead of induring the hardship of having to get closer to my screen every time I was unable to make out my menue bar.

I had this same problem of not being able to make out the menue bar with out an extra effort of many kinds. After enduring this inconvenience for months I finally solve the problem by going to the system preferences/display/resolution scale: I changed the resolution to 1920 X1080. Then I adjusted the screen size the way I like it (the change I made to the resolution setting made my screen really extra wide). At this point the screen appeared a bit fuzzy or blurry... I simply move my Imac away from me until I could read everything perfect. Oh, by the way, I am now also able to use my virtical scrolling bar with ease...before I had to be too careful to make sure my mouse was dead on the bar or I ended up moving my screen making it larger or smaller and this is annoying when I'm in a hurry.😉🙂

Yep. This used to be possible in OS 9. Then they took it away...

Please someone tell me why this is not a feature in OS X. Windows has had this feature for a long time. You just set the DPI to what works for your eyes and your screen resoloution. The Mac gives you a penalty for having a high resolution display -- you get a tiny small font for your menus, title bars, status bars, etc.. etc... I want to have a high resolution display AND readable fonts -- that seems such an obvious and CRITICAL feature.

I have a high resolution Mac, and I run Windows full screen on it with Parallels. The windows VM looks really really nice, and is readable, because it has the option "Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Display> Make text and other items larger and smaller>125%/150%".

I end up using Windows almost all the time on this machine. I would love to just use the native Mac stuff on this machine, and I keep trying to embrace it. But I just can't because of this one missing feature. When I use it as a Mac, I just cant see the dang fonts on the menus and title bars and such. So I revert back to using it as a Windows machine with Parallels.

This DPI problem is the only thing preventing me from becoming a convert from Windows to Mac. I like everything else about the Mac, but I just cant see the dang fonts.

Why is this CRITICAL feature missing? It just doesn't seem that hard to do, and I can think of no reason why it would not be beneficial. Can anyone explain?

I am having this problem with my new mac mini. My old Mac Mini could get me bigger font size in Safari and on the computer itself. How do I set this on my new one? I keep setting preferences and I can zoom in every time I open a new web page. I went into advanced settings on Safari and asked for 14 pt. font only online. How do I get that setting to stick? I've opened every preference I can find and tried to set fonts large, but I don't know how to get the control bar at the top, the computer itself. How can I get all the interactions with my Mac mini to be in font I can see without eyestrain, like 14 pt.? Thanks for any help!!!!

If you hold down the Command key and the "+" key, the font will increase on the entire page.

If you hold down the Command key and the "-" key, the font will decrease on the entire page.

I share your pain regarding

>>Font size system wide is too small and cannot be changed.<<

Having been a mac user since OS8 I did check the sys font sizes before buying; in the Apple store lighting they looked useable, but not when -I got a MacBook Pro Retina laptop home, and I curse them every day.

Not only are the fonts too small but grey on the grey background makes them even harder to see.

Literally not a good look.

I had my eyes retested, talked with the helpful Apple care people [ understanding but not able to suggest a work around that they thought would help], bought a halogen, angled lamp…

I am tempted to drop kick the MBP but, at $AUD2000, have so far resisted that option and am back to using my ancient iMac and 2009 MacBook.

Shame on you Apple, we trusted you.

If you elect to dropkick the Mac please arrange to capture it on video.

I will, and sell tickets to watch too.

🙂

You may end up with a profit

If you hold down the Command key and the "+" key, the font will increase on the entire page.

If you hold down the Command key and the "-" key, the font will decrease on the entire page.

If you hold down the Command key (⌘ )

and the "+" key, the font will increase on the entire page.

If you hold down the Command key (⌘ )

and the "-" key, the font will decrease on the entire page.

I like your thinking.