Resolution on 4k monitor - scaling

steinooo · 9 Jan 2025 at 12:28

Hi, are there any tips on how to get the menu bar etc not tiny but using a 4k monitor please?

My resolutions settings didn’t have the word “scaled” to choose from

nlel1975 · 9 Jan 2025 at 12:32

You should have an option that looks ok, have you tried them all and can’t find one to settle on? In which case you might need BetterDisplay

steinooo · 9 Jan 2025 at 20:20

nlel1975 said:
You should have an option that looks ok, have you tried them all and can’t find one to settle on? In which case you might need BetterDisplay

I settled in 1440p but it feels a waste of the resolution like I should have got a 1440p monitor.

The windows of most apps I can get acceptable (but still not great, e.g gmail has weird big wriiting) but the Mac top bar itself has text and icons so tiny it’s ridiculous

Sorry for any wrong terminology I am fairly new to macOS

nlel1975 · 10 Jan 2025 at 12:22

Go into system report if it’s says resolution is 5120x2880 but UI looks like 2560x1440 then it’s running in Retina mode and is decent on a 4K monitor.

Here’s mine…

steinooo · 10 Jan 2025 at 13:38

nlel1975 said:
Go into system report if it’s says resolution is 5120x2880 but UI looks like 2560x1440 then it’s running in Retina mode and is decent on a 4K monitor.

Here’s mine…

Thanks will try this. Never seen that screen you’ve shown

nlel1975 · 10 Jan 2025 at 13:50

steinooo said:
Thanks will try this. Never seen that screen you’ve shown

Click on the Apple logo at top left of screen, choose About This Mac, then choose More info... then select System Report, check in the Graphics/Displays

Feek · 10 Jan 2025 at 14:31

Or just cmd-space, type system information and hit enter

steinooo · 14 Jan 2025 at 09:14

nlel1975 said:
Go into system report if it’s says resolution is 5120x2880 but UI looks like 2560x1440 then it’s running in Retina mode and is decent on a 4K monitor.

Here’s mine…

It says apple m1
PHL 329p1:
5120x2880
Ui looks like 2560x1440 @ 60Hz

nlel1975 · 14 Jan 2025 at 14:23

steinooo said:
It says apple m1
PHL 329p1:
5120x2880
Ui looks like 2560x1440 @ 60Hz

Congratulations you’re running a good resolution on your 4K monitor, don’t feel bad about it being 2560x1440 it’s in Retina mode which makes up for it.

steinooo · 16 Jan 2025 at 21:53

nlel1975 said:
Congratulations you’re running a good resolution on your 4K monitor, don’t feel bad about it being 2560x1440 it’s in Retina mode which makes up for it.

I think I understand lol. I’m used to it now and am enjoying it just can’t help think I’m missing out and “wasting” resolution…..

nlel1975 · 17 Jan 2025 at 14:10

steinooo said:
I think I understand lol. I’m used to it now and am enjoying it just can’t help think I’m missing out and “wasting” resolution…..

I have my Windows 11 machine set to 3840x2160 but it's scaled to 150% which means it's actually running at 2560x1440. A Mac running at 2560x1440 in Retina mode will look sharper.

SpellowHouse · 17 Jan 2025 at 14:38

Ultimate Windows Tweaker allows you to adjust the Taskbar size to whatever you want, including the size of the icons.

nlel1975 · 17 Jan 2025 at 14:55

SpellowHouse said:
Ultimate Windows Tweaker allows you to adjust the Taskbar size to whatever you want, including the size of the icons.

Figures there would be a way to make Windows look better, if you're prepared to **** about with 3rd party software.