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13" MacBook Pro – do you use display scaling?

Do you use display scaling?

  • No, I leave it on the default setting

    Votes: 42 33.1%

  • Yes, I use "Larger Text (Looks like 1024 x 640)"

    Votes: 3 2.4%

  • Yes, I use the one in between (Looks like 1440 x 900)

    Votes: 32 25.2%

  • Yes, I use "More Space (Looks like 1680 x 1050)"

    Votes: 50 39.4%
  • Total voters
    127
Hakiroto

Hakiroto

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
I'm just curious so figured I'd see what everyone else likes to do. On my 2015 13" MacBook Pro I go with the Looks like 1440 x 900 setting (shown in the attached image) as I find the default setting sacrifices too much screen real estate. I imagine I'll do the same with the 2018 13" that's arriving next week, too.
 

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I am using 1680 from two days, since the bug to upgrade my 2016 13" struck. On Mojave it is actually pretty stable and fast as native 1280 or scaled default 1440. Loving it.

On my 2011 15" I used the native 1440, and since 2016 I was on default 1440 for this 13". I had tried 1680 previously, on prior macOS, but it became slow due to graphics issues. I must say that 1680 on Mojave is blistering fast as 1440 is, and that has allowed me to scale to it and keep it.
 
1440x900 on my 2014 13” as it was replacing a 13” air at the time I bought it. I dabbled with 1680x1050 but the text was just a little too small for my aging eyes, so reverted back
 
will probably use 1440x900, because that's what i've been using on the 15'' i'm replacing. that way i'll have the same amount of real estate, just smaller.
 
Beau10 said:
I use 1920x1280 HiDPI on my 13" using RDM to set. Totally legible, totally usable (I'm a 42 yo software dev).
Click to expand...

Does this result in more strain on resources though to use such a resolution? I just got RDM and yeah, you're right, 1920x1200 is very readable. Not as sharp as the 1680 but... very usable.

I've been using the 1680 resolution since I've gotten my MPB. The default 1440 is way too big...

Using RDM for 2048x1280 fills the entire screen and gives me a lot of space, but dang, my eyes hurt and I'm 32. 😛
 
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BigMcGuire said:
Does this result in more strain on resources though to use such a resolution? I just got RDM and yeah, you're right, 1920x1200 is very readable. Not as sharp as the 1680 but... very usable.

I've been using the 1680 resolution since I've gotten my MPB. The default 1440 is way too big...

Using RDM for 2048x1280 fills the entire screen and gives me a lot of space, but dang, my eyes hurt and I'm 32. 😛
Click to expand...

I've been using this resolution for some 8-10 hours per day since 2014. No eye strain, sit from a normal distance from my screen (25-30"). But this is my reasonable limit, tried going to the next step up and found myself leaning in closer. Also to note that I *don't* make any OS or font elements larger anywhere. In fact, I slightly reduce the default font size in my current editor (VSCode), but in general everything is left at the default. The aim is simply to increase usable desktop.

Now let's go back to the 90s and dealing with CRTs in a well lit office... that was eye-strain city 🙂. Also about 15 years ago I briefly had a 15" Dell Laptop at 1920x1280 and returned it as it was hard on my eyes. I surmise this smaller screen works where that didn't due to using HiDPI at an overall much higher screen resolution with a much higher quality screen, font aliasing, that allow my eyes to resolve detail with much less effort.
 
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Beau10 said:
I've been using this resolution for some 8-10 hours per day since 2014. No eye strain, sit from a normal distance from my screen (25-30"). But this is my reasonable limit, tried going to the next step up and found myself leaning in closer. Also to note that I *don't* make any OS or font elements larger anywhere. In fact, I slightly reduce the default font size in my current editor (VSCode), but in general everything is left at the default. The aim is simply to increase usable desktop.

Now let's go back to the 90s and dealing with CRTs in a well lit office... that was eye-strain city 🙂. Also about 15 years ago I briefly had a 15" Dell Laptop at 1920x1280 and returned it as it was hard on my eyes. I surmise this smaller screen works where that didn't due to using HiDPI at an overall much higher screen resolution with a much higher quality screen, font aliasing, that allow my eyes to resolve detail with much less effort.
Click to expand...

I'm getting used to it but I usually use an external keyboard/mouse with my laptop so I may have to start using the keyboard on the laptop itself.

Do you use LCD Font Smoothing in the General settings?

I was using 2048x1280 but I see now your comment was about 1920x1200. 1920x1200 is definitely doable.

I too prefer screen space - hence why I've used 1680x as much as I can. I'll give 1920x1200 a spin. Thanks!

Edit: WOW, got rid of the external keyboard and moved laptop closer. Yep, this is very doable and the new space is just AMAZING. Ahaha!
 
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Still two weeks away but I was playing in the store today and I think I'll start with more space and see how it feels.
 
BigMcGuire said:
I'm getting used to it but I usually use an external keyboard/mouse with my laptop so I may have to start using the keyboard on the laptop itself.

Do you use LCD Font Smoothing in the General settings?

I was using 2048x1280 but I see now your comment was about 1920x1200. 1920x1200 is definitely doable.

I too prefer screen space - hence why I've used 1680x as much as I can. I'll give 1920x1200 a spin. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Oh sorry, I see I goofed up my res a bit - yes, it's definitely 1920 x 1200. LCD font smoothing is turned on.

I haven't used an external keyboard/mouse/screen since 2012 as I've primarily been a remote Rails/React dev and work in all sorts of environments. Before then, I was doing .NET development and used a workstation with 3 screens. Developed a nasty issue with my neck that was due to frequently glancing at my left screen where my issue tracker/source control apps were docked, went away about six months after transitioning to laptop only.

Also it should be said my workflow is optimized to make good use of tiling, visoring, and spaces, and I rarely leave my home row or touch the track pad - I'm sort of simulating using multiple monitors in a way. Alot of that is from stints working w/ Linux and VIM.
 
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Beau10 said:
Oh sorry, I see I goofed up my res a bit - yes, it's definitely 1920 x 1200. LCD font smoothing is turned on.

I haven't used an external keyboard/mouse/screen since 2012 as I've primarily been a remote Rails/React dev and work in all sorts of environments. Before then, I was doing .NET development and used a workstation with 3 screens. Developed a nasty issue with my neck that was due to frequently glancing at my left screen where my issue tracker/source control apps were docked, went away about six months after transitioning to laptop only.

Also it should be said my workflow is optimized to make good use of tiling, visoring, and spaces, and I rarely leave my home row or touch the track pad - I'm sort of simulating using multiple monitors in a way. Alot of that is from stints working w/ Linux and VIM.
Click to expand...

This resolution is amazing! I'm actually able to use BetterSnapTool now. I'm a .Net developer too and I have 2 widescreen monitors at work and suffer from constant pain moving my head back and forth. I recently got my MPB (2 months old) and am rediscovering how great having just one screen is. Loving this. 🙂
 
I don't used the scaled one on my 13 inch 2015. I really like the screen how it is. I have experimented with the other sizes and they are just too small for me.
 
BigMcGuire said:
This resolution is amazing! I'm actually able to use BetterSnapTool now. I'm a .Net developer too and I have 2 widescreen monitors at work and suffer from constant pain moving my head back and forth. I recently got my MPB (2 months old) and am rediscovering how great having just one screen is. Loving this. 🙂
Click to expand...

For sure, glad to help!

And btw, forgot to mention that HiDPI is not available at 1920 x 1200 by default w/ RDM - so if you don't see the lightning bolt next to it, what you need to do is to add the pixel doubled variant, 3840 x 2400. The easiest way to do this is to

1) disable csrutil
2) install SwitchResX and add 3840x2400
3) uninstall SwitchResX
4) enable csrutil
5) select 1920 x 1200, now with the lightning bolt
[doublepost=1532305098][/doublepost]
MrGimper said:
I knew that, text was too small to read that bit properly 🙂
[doublepost=1532293611][/doublepost]

There is no 1920x1280... there's 1920x1200
Click to expand...

Sorry about that, meant 1920 x 1200. Also refer to my note about HiDPI just above, it makes things significantly more sharp.
 
Beau10 said:
For sure, glad to help!

And btw, forgot to mention that HiDPI is not available at 1920 x 1200 by default w/ RDM - so if you don't see the lightning bolt next to it, what you need to do is to add the pixel doubled variant, 3840 x 2400. The easiest way to do this is to

1) disable csrutil
2) install SwitchResX and add 3840x2400
3) uninstall SwitchResX
4) enable csrutil
5) select 1920 x 1200, now with the lightning bolt
Click to expand...

Done, but I found that when uninstalling SwitchResX it would revert everything to default settings and remove the resolution (maybe I wasn't doing something right). So I just paid the $16 for SwitchResX (I like supporting apps like this) and I'm good to go with 1920x1200 HiDPI.

Very happy with this setup. Really appreciate your help. Thanks!

Edit: That HiDPI really helps.
 
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I'm using the default on my 2016 13" nTB, which is 1440x900. I do like the extra space you get with the 1680x1050 resolution, but text is just a little too small for staring at for long periods of time, and it puts a strain on my eyes. It's why I'm considering going up to the 15" model on my next MacBook...
 
BigMcGuire said:
Does this result in more strain on resources though to use such a resolution? I just got RDM and yeah, you're right, 1920x1200 is very readable. Not as sharp as the 1680 but... very usable.

I've been using the 1680 resolution since I've gotten my MPB. The default 1440 is way too big...

Using RDM for 2048x1280 fills the entire screen and gives me a lot of space, but dang, my eyes hurt and I'm 32. 😛
Click to expand...

I have just begun trying out 1680 since 4 days and loving how Mojave handles it. Previous OS used to stutter sometimes with Launchpad animations and such, but on Mojave there is no loss of performance on my 2016 MBP 13.
[doublepost=1532322955][/doublepost]
Beau10 said:
For sure, glad to help!

And btw, forgot to mention that HiDPI is not available at 1920 x 1200 by default w/ RDM - so if you don't see the lightning bolt next to it, what you need to do is to add the pixel doubled variant, 3840 x 2400. The easiest way to do this is to

1) disable csrutil
2) install SwitchResX and add 3840x2400
3) uninstall SwitchResX
4) enable csrutil
5) select 1920 x 1200, now with the lightning bolt
[doublepost=1532305098][/doublepost]

Sorry about that, meant 1920 x 1200. Also refer to my note about HiDPI just above, it makes things significantly more sharp.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, this does not work on Mojave at the moment. App crashes.
 
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I'm on 1680x1050 when mobile, 1440x900 when hooked up to the LG 5K display.

Is the improved performance on Mojave due to the removal of sub-pixel AA?
 
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