Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
There is an old thread here by one of the respected monitor people who managed to completely inactivate his monitor just by futzing around with BetterDisplay settings.
And there's threads a plenty about people messing up their partitions, user accounts, email settings etc. Should we not let people access those areas of the system or apps?

Again, just because there could be a risk if you're not careful doesn't mean you shouldn't use it.

Like I said, if you want to install it, that's fine, but it's strange to recommend it to everyone
Not strange at all, its great tool that most people who don't use an apple branded display will benefit from, pure and simple.
 
And there's threads a plenty about people messing up their partitions, user accounts, email settings etc. Should we not let people access those areas of the system or apps?
It is literally impossible to completely inactivate your 3rd party monitor with Apple's standard display settings, unless there is something seriously wrong with that monitor.

BTW, since you brought this up, Apple now hides certain partitions and directories from average users for this reason. There are ways to access them, but not the usual methods on first glance. For example, the Library directory in the user accounts is now invisible. It wasn't when I started using macOS, but Apple hid it I suspect because people futzed around with it too much and screwed up their installs.

If you do want to go futz around there, then fine, but obviously I don't recommend average users do this just for fun. If they need to then they need to, but if they don't need to, why bother?

Again, just because there could be a risk if you're not careful doesn't mean you shouldn't use it.
Again, I said there is not anything wrong with installing it if you want to, but my point is that it is not necessary for most people. Install it if you want more flexibility, but if you don't actually need it then don't bother.

Not strange at all, its great tool that most people who don't use an apple branded display will benefit from, pure and simple.
There are a ton of great tools out there, but I don't recommend all users install all of them, because not everyone needs all of them. BetterDisplay is indeed a great tool, but not everyone needs it, and it's a tool that does carry more risk than some other applications.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jutah
BetterDisplay is indeed a great tool, but not everyone needs it, and it's a tool that carries more risk than some other applications.
That's your opinion, mine is the opposite. I'll continue to offer it when someone asks ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
That's your opinion, mine is the opposite. I'll continue to offer it when someone asks ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So, you're essentially agreeing with me, at least on this point. If someone says to me they want more flexibility with their third party monitor, then I too might recommend it. However, as I stated before, I take issue with the suggestion that every single Mac user in the world with a third party monitor should install it. If everything is working just fine for that person, then obviously I won't suggest "fixing" it with third party software they don't actually need.
 
So, you're essentially agreeing with me, at least on this point.
No, not what so ever. I stand by my assessment that BetterDisplay is perfectly safe to use in all cases. How you can twist that into agreeing with you requires some serious mental gymnastics.
 
No, not what so ever. I stand by my assessment that BetterDisplay is perfectly safe to use in all cases. How you can twist that into agreeing with you requires some serious mental gymnastics.
Well, you yourself specifically said "when someone asks". On that point, we agree. However, I guess you are now changing your stance to say you will suggest it even if someone hasn't asked for help with their third party monitor?
 
There's two recovery methods to recover from a BD inactivated monitor - which can be caused by setting an inappropriate low-res setting.
'Inappropriate' in this context is not obvious, but isn't one of the 720p/1080p legacy monitor sizes...:

You can either "...use screen sharing from another Mac or iPad and use that to select a different mode for the display on the problem Mac."

Or use BD's reset procedure with a second monitor attached:
"BD menu bar icon > Tool wheel icon at bottom > Displays > Overview > Additional Setting Drop-down > Reset All Display System Settings button (at bottom)."

Neither are straightforward if the user only has has a straightforward Mac+Monitor setup.
Obviously it depends on the way any particular monitor is set up to function- which, again, is not obvious.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: EugW
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.