What is the point of Higher Resolution on smaller displays?

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Level 1

5 points

What is the point of Higher Resolution on smaller displays?

I am looking to be educated on screen resolution but do have some basic knowledge. I bought a 24' monitor that has a resolution of 1920x1080 which seems to be the native resolution for most 24' montiors. How is it beneficial to have a higher resolution on a 24' monitor when generally most 24' displays max out at 1920x1080? Doesn't the eye no longer detect the size of pixels or bluriness from scaling at that size? Would it not just display all content smaller? It may allow for more room to play on screen but I would imagine it can also make font and icons tougher to read without adjustments. I am eventually going to make the leap to 4K displays and want to know what would be important knowledge to have while shopping around. What would be the minimum isize montior for a 4k display and what monitor size would display 4k best on?(I heard that bigger may not always be better)

Posted on Dec 12, 2013 9:33 AM

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Answer 1

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mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Dec 12, 2013 9:36 AM in response to Hrechkaness

Welcome to Apple Support Communities

1920x1080 is a completely normal resolution for any HD 24-inch monitor. Moreover, now 21'5-inch TVs and monitors (like the 21'5-inch iMac) have got that resolution.

From my experience with a 21'5-inch iMac, 1920x1080 is the best resolution for everybody in a display you consider small for such a high resolution, and the truth is that you can see everything very clear, more on a 24-inch monitor. In case you have got problems, you can decrease the resolution

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Answer 2

Hrechkaness Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 12, 2013 11:00 AM in response to mende1

Thank you! I may have to post my next question separately but I'll put it down below

I looked into the specs for a 4k resolution which is essentially just double 1080p(3840x2160 vs 1920x1080). If the common 1080p monitors minimally sized at 24', wouldn't it be fair to say that for 4k a monitor size up to 48' for quality display purposes? It would be quite ridiculous to try and work infront of a monitor of that size without having to sit pretty far back lol. I bring that up because I noticed Apple displayed a 4k monitor for a short period of time that was set at 32'. Is that the reasonable size for 4k monitors?

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Answer 3

K Shaffer

Level 7

34,966 points

Dec 12, 2013 7:43 PM in response to Hrechkaness

For some users who magnify content that has fine detail to work on it further, the higher resolution would be essential if they expect others who view and use that work to also see that level of quality. And the effect on fine detail when magnified may otherwise be more pixelated or rough-edged. For those editing or creating fine art or macrophotography this almost allows a small screen to do some of the work a larger screen would. But not quite. You can't substitute in some cases without compromise.

Not sure what your demands or needs are regarding this question, though.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

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