4K Monitor

[GoFlex]

Hi all,
So I have a 4K monitor and it's really good quality but when I choose the 'default display' it's always 1920x1080 and never the full 4k resolution.
I also find that 4K resolution is really small when I do scale it (which I know is expected) but it honestly seems as though the 4K is worse quality than the 'default' 1080p? I'm currently using a MacBook Pro Retina 15" (Late 2013).

I guess my questions are:
1) How come on a 4K monitor, the default display is 1080p
2) Why do people by 4K monitors if the text is unbelievably small and unusable on Macs?

Thanks all!

 

[Fishrrman]

"1) How come on a 4K monitor, the default display is 1080p
2) Why do people by 4K monitors if the text is unbelievably small and unusable on Macs?"

The "default" display size on the Mac -is- "1080p-HiDPI", or "high dots per inch" mode.

That is to say, for every pixel on a "regular" 1080p display (non-retina), there are FOUR pixels used. This produces greater clarity in text and images.

Although the display can be run in "true" 2180p (4k), the image "pixel-for-pixel" will be so small as to be functionally unreadable, in most cases. But again, these displays are NOT intended for general use in full-on 4k mode.

If you want to see full 4k pixel-for-pixel, you should be using a display that is roughly 43-50" in size. More like a mid-sized 4k tv. Some folks actually use these for this purpose.

 

[Chancha]

Are you connecting to the monitor via HDMI or mini DisplayPort? The HDMI port on 2012-2015 MBPs aren't capable of outputting 4k 60Hz, and sometimes (due to EDID issues) will be stuck to only output 1080p.

 

[HenryAZ]

Hi all,
So I have a 4K monitor and it's really good quality but when I choose the 'default display' it's always 1920x1080 and never the full 4k resolution.
I also find that 4K resolution is really small when I do scale it (which I know is expected) but it honestly seems as though the 4K is worse quality than the 'default' 1080p? I'm currently using a MacBook Pro Retina 15" (Late 2013).

I guess my questions are:
1) How come on a 4K monitor, the default display is 1080p
2) Why do people by 4K monitors if the text is unbelievably small and unusable on Macs?

Thanks all!

I am running a 32" monitor at true 4k (3840 x 2160). 32" is not quite big enough to enjoy true 4k, I suspect the coming 36"-40" monitors will be perfect. That said, I can adjust most apps' text size and percent oversize to make it work well. The Apple apps are the downside, such as "Contacts". That app cannot be adjusted for text size. 90% of the time, I am happy working with a nice 4k monitor, and at resolutions that please the eye. For a few apps, I have to lean closer and let my bifocal window take over.