Issue (Retina / HiDPI) with Mac mini using 3rd Party 4K Monitors (or FHD Monitors)

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4 points

Issue (Retina / HiDPI) with Mac mini using 3rd Party 4K Monitors (or FHD Monitors)

I am planning on purchasing a 2023 M2 Mac mini and a 4K Monitor.

But comments I have read, concerning using 3rd party 4K Monitors with macOS, have raised several related questions.

It is my understanding that "Retina (HiDPI)" is Apple's brand name for the technique of having the OS treat 4 Physical pixels as 1 Logical pixel. Is this correct?

Is this something that "only" Apple does?

If yes, do other vendors do something "similar" to Apple's Retina / HiDPI?

Does doing something like HiDPI require a 4K, or above, Monitor to work "seamlessly"?

I have read numerous comments about issues using 3rd party 4K Monitors with Apple Macs, up to and including the M1 Mac mini.

Is this still a current issue?

If yes, what kind of issues am I likely to face using the 2023 M2 Mac mini with 4K Monitors by HP, Dell or LG?

Here are some Monitors I am thinking of using with the M2 Mac mini.

LG Ultrafine 24 Inch 4K IPS Monitor - 24MD4KL-B

Dell 27 Inch 4K UHD USB-C Monitor - S2722QC

Dell UltraSharp 27 Inch 4K USB-C Hub Monitor - U2723QE

HP Z27k G3 4K USB-C Display

HP U28 4K HDR Monitor

Thank you, in advance, for your time and assistance.

Mac mini (2023 with M2)

Posted on Feb 14, 2023 07:08 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 15, 2023 05:58 AM in response to FrankPerry

Just something about HiDPI.

When operating in this mode, the graphics card will map all screen contents to twice what the desired resolution to be viewed. This only works when the screen resolution is higher than the desired viewing resolution.

Suppose you have a 4K display and want to view your screen at 2K (2560x1440). In HiDPI mode, the graphics card memory actually has a "screen map" 5120x2880 and when outputting to the display will precisely scale it to 2560x1440. With out HiDPI mode, the graphics card "screen map" is just the 2560x1440 and outputs that. While it sounds like it will give you the same results, the mapping algorithm of HiDPI will actually result in a sharper image.

In terms of 4k displays, I have an LG 27UP600 4K,HD100 display that works great with my Mac. There are variations of this model that adds bells and whistles but have the same panel.

One thing to note with most all displays and desktop computers, the best interfaces would be HDMI or DisplayPort. Connecting displays with USB-C interfaces tend to be problematic.

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Answer 2

FrankPerry Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 15, 2023 07:30 AM in response to woodmeister50

Thank you for the explanation.

Can the Mac mini be "run" with the HiDPI mode turned Off, for use with a FHD (1920 x 1080) resolution monitor?

Does the version of macOS, in use, have any impact on the control / use of HiDPI?

Does macOS 10.15.7 have HiDPI?

I am currently using a Late 2012 Mac mini with an:

Insignia 20" HD+ (1600 x 900) monitor (via DVI)

-or- with a

Late 2012 iMac at its native FHD (1920 x 1080) using Target Display Mode.

I haven't "seen" a control for HiDPI.

But I do see Scaling choices in Display Preferences.

Does this have anything to do with HiDPI?

Thanks again for your time and assistance.

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Answer 3

Feb 16, 2023 05:41 AM in response to FrankPerry

FrankPerry wrote:

....

But I do see Scaling choices in Display Preferences.

Does this have anything to do with HiDPI?

....

Maybe yes, maybe no. It all has to do with the display and sometimes how it is connected and what resolutions you have selected and also macOS only supports certain resolutions at HiDPI/Retina.

If you are using the displays at their full resolutions, they are are not "HiDPI".

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Answer 4

FrankPerry Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 16, 2023 09:55 AM in response to woodmeister50

Thank you again for your time and assistance.

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Issue (Retina / HiDPI) with Mac mini using 3rd Party 4K Monitors (or FHD Monitors)

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