5k with two 1920x1200 monitors. How does HDPI work?

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5k with two 1920x1200 monitors. How does HDPI work?

I'm considering getting a 5K iMac for work with the intention of plugging two (existing) 1920x1200 monitors into it via thunderbolt to expand my display (like 5K isn't enough!) I don't do graphics or video but rather this is to give me maximum screen real estate space for data modeling and coding. The idea is to use the 5K in 3200x1800 mode for data analytics, massive spreadsheet visibility and ERD and have the two 1920x1200 monitors off to the side in portrait model for coding.

I have not used a Mac before with multiple screen and not a retina with non-retina screens. One thing I am uncertain of is how this will work in real-life. What happens to objects if you drag from retina to a non-retina display? Does the object suddenly become larger or does OSX handle it seamlessly?

I also have need to virtualize Windows (Uck I know!). So the second question is this. Has anyone experience of using Parallels or VMware Fusion with a 5K iMac with multiple monitors? Does Coherence/Unity mode work and how does this handle the retina to non-retina switch?

While the 5K is a wonderful device I am thinking that I may experience a few issues with this plan and I may do better to stay with the regular Imac.

Thoughts?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10), Late 2012

Posted on Mar 6, 2015 8:59 AM

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Answer 1

headspin

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Mar 6, 2015 3:26 PM in response to Happy Dad

I have found SwitchResX http://www.madrau.com/ gives you complete control of set resolutions across multiple displays.

Easy to change things and find what works.

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Answer 2

Happy Dad Author

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Mar 6, 2015 7:39 PM in response to headspin

SwitchResX looks interesting but if I read it right it looks like it works my adjusting the resolution of the entire screen when an application if full screen. Will it take a windowed app and adjust its resolution automatically when it is moved from screen to screen? Also I'm assuming this is only for OS X apps and will not work with Virtualized apps. Right?

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Answer 3

headspin

Level 1

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Mar 7, 2015 3:39 AM in response to Happy Dad

It forces the screen to display at the resolution you have set. For example, you can set screen A at high res and screen B at low res, a window on screen A will appear small but if you drag the window over to screen B it will appear bigger. That's what my setup does anyhow.

Virtualisation I don't know, but I'd assume it works for anything displayed.

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