Why is my Mac mini M4 Pro display resolution low and how can I adjust it?

Same here. Utterly annoying.

My M1 MBP works well with the 5k LG Ultrawide, and 3840x1620 is a splendid resolution (72Hz).

BTW, it shows HiDPI on my tool (BetterDisplay), it looks crisp.

While I can select the same resolution on my Mac Mini M4, it doesn't show HiDPI, and it (indeed) looks worse. De HiDPI settings available are 5120 x 2160 (way too small) and 3008 x 1270 (too big imho).

I'm glad I'm not the only one, so it isn't an issue on my device.

On the other hand, I'd rather have a DOA as I could return and switch.

It's quite odd that the latest and fastest (M4) processor and the same OSX version) isn't able to use my monitor as should be. And that it beats the M1 (??)

As a followup, there are apps that allow use of additional resolutions beyond what Apple offers, including SwitchRes X and EasyRes (though the latter seems to have gone AWOL). I tried SwitchRes X, and it does allow selection of a 3840x1620 on the LG display. However, the results are less than optimal. My first impression was that the text was not as crisp as I was used to, so I snapped an iPhone pic of the same block of text shown on the display with the M1 and M4 MPBs connected:

Probably obvious that the M4 with SwitchRes X is on the right. I suspect it's just directly scaling down on the M4 instead of starting with the larger canvas as is done by the M1 and i9 Macs. SwitchRes X does allow inputing of a custom base resolution for scaling, and I tried inputing 7680x3240 but it made no difference.

I've uninstalled SwitchRes X and will just hope Apple corrects this issue at some point.

I have the same monitor and am experiencing the same issue. Everything works perfectly with the M1 Pro, but the M4 can't handle it. It seems like this might be a bug, and according to a thread on MacRumors, Apple is expected to provide a fix. I also reported this to support but they closed the ticket without providing any insight. I just wish there was a public acknowledgment so we would know it's being addressed.

BetterDisplay is in HiDPI mode (see Screenshot) - subjective there is no difference between this solution and the MBP M1pro with native 3840x1620 support (besides the 60 Hz instead of 75 Hz(i can't spot any difference)) ... but still annoying ...

Since Apple has not done anything (even in Sequoia 15.3.1), I doubt there are any newer experiences.

I personally would not buy an M4 Pro Mac mini until this is sorted out. I also have an LG 5K2K Ultrawide (34") display and this situation frustrates me no end.

I have even been considering buying an M3 Pro or M3 Max MacBook Pro to avoid this problem, which I'd really rather not have to do. (Additionally, remember that M4-based Mac minis also have the problem of USB-C devices randomly disconnecting when connected to the back-side ports.)

The issue is getting some press.

https://apple.news/AeuMCV-xVSACoOsS27f_kFQ

Absolutely have this issue as well. LG 34BK95U-W worked amazingly well on my old 2017 iMac Pro and now has the same problems you go through, either the text is unreadable or it's way too big in HiDPI. Don't have much to add, just really want to hear if anything is added to this thread.

Same problem here - MacBook Pro M1 Max: no problem. MacBook Pro M4 Max: 3840 x 1620 resolution is missing.

Monitor is the Dell U4021QW (5K2K curved widescreen). I reported to Apple.

Other mentions of this issue:

• https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-m4-base-or-m4pro-any-luck-with-3840x1620-hidpi-with-a-lg-40wp95c-monitor.2442772/

There seems to be some confusion about whether this is a Sequoia issue or an M4 issue. I had Sequoia on my M1 Max and resolution was fine. Sequoia on my M4 Max and this resolution is missing, so it maybe a combo of Sequoia + M4

Just found this on reddit --> https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrawidemasterrace/comments/1gp15c0/apple_base_m4_supports_5k2k_and_3840x1620_hidpi/?rdt=43329

Hopefully they are solving the problem with 15.3. 🫰🏻🫰🏻

Servant of Cats wrote:

For what it's worth, "like 3840x1620" would imply the use of an internal canvas that had 7680x3240 pixels. A 32" Apple 6K Pro Display XDR has a native resolution of 6016x3384 pixels. So the mode which you want to use would require a canvas with about 22% more pixels than the total number of pixels on a 32" 6K display.

On the other hand, as long as you limit yourself to two displays, the Technical Specifications for the M4 Pro Mac mini seem to say that one of them can have "up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz … over Thunderbolt or HDMI."

I would think that an 8K output would have the ability to handle the internal canvas for Retina "like 3840x1620" mode. But maybe I'm wrong …

I'm in the same boat, I had a 3424 x 1926 120hz setup on my MBP M1 Pro.

On my M4 Pro, I can only do 3840 x 2160 or drop down to 3360 x 1890.

It might not sound drastically different but on a 27k display it's rather noticeable, and weird that Apple (it seems) either had oversight or intentionally gimped it

Oh interesting. I have the Dell U4021QW, and I don't see HiDPI 3840x1620 as an option in BetterDisplay on my M4 Max. Whenever I choose 3840x1620, I get the low DPI version. On the M1 Max MacBook I had 3840x1620 HiDPI.

Yes, it seems this feature only works with the Dell 4025QW. Interestingly, some people have even sold their LG 40" monitors to switch to the Dell 4025QW. I’m currently using an LG 40" with the M4 Pro and have no plans to sell it for another 40" monitor, especially one that’s already a year old since its release. Many of us have submitted feedback to Apple and are now waiting for a fix for the M4.

Greg Earle wrote:

In anticipation of buying a new Mac I bought an LG 34BK95U-W Ultrawide monitor (in retrospect, a mistake).

FWIW, it's a great display. I've had mine for a bit over 4 years. It remains a significant annoyance that my 16" M1 Pro MBP (work Mac) can support my desired resolution but my 16" M14 Pro MBP (personal Mac) cannot.

georg_peter_p wrote:

Thank you for confirming this issue - I am new to this "discussion panel"; is there anyone from Apple who will respond to this problem?

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