Which is the odd part, because in this thread there are reports of M4 base outputting 3840x1620 on a Dell U4025QW, just this one display nothing else. Together with the fact that the Apple specs sheet for M4 mini says it can do 8k (1:1), it means the M4 base definitely has the capability to give 3840px HiDPI, the question is how to engage this.
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5K2K at 120Hz with Mac Mini M4
- Thread starter Newgoblin49
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Even an M1 Mac should be able to see 3008x1692 on that list, but your M4 does not. This is the issue that we are discussing now.
The numbers I gave are the horizontal resolutions. I would have expected you to see at least a 3008x1692 or 3072x1728 option in that list. That may simply be hidden, though, and unlockable via a utility. Probably not higher, though.
Not to rejoice in your misfortune, but if the bug is even worse on Apple's own monitors, that gives me hope that they'll fix it sooner.
I have the Dell U4025AW and it is awesome. I use the kvm between my mini (m2 pro 32gb 2tb) and my work laptop which is Win11. The kvm can be a little slow but works. I use a Logi keyboard and MS ERGO buttons to flip between the two systems. Works for me for now. One of these days I might figure out how to use my Mac Keyboard on the mini an work lap.
Is this also another related problem?
Just use "Better Display" on the mac. It can assign hotkeys, via DDC, to the monitor inputs. I have two buttons on my streamdeck that bounce between my work and personal macs. INSTANT response.
Some positive news.
There is a potential work around to the cursor freezing that can occur if using virtual screens to get around the lack of HiDPI for high res displays. This isn't the fix we are waiting for from Apple but it can improve things quite a bit if you've been frustrated with the Virtual Display option.
There is a potential work around to the cursor freezing that can occur if using virtual screens to get around the lack of HiDPI for high res displays. This isn't the fix we are waiting for from Apple but it can improve things quite a bit if you've been frustrated with the Virtual Display option.
If you build and run this code. The freezing will be gone. Now that we are aware of how to get around the Apple Bug for Virtual screens a work around seems likely to be added to BetterDisplay in an upcoming release.
All the code does is switch a single pixel (that is basically hidden) on the screen from black to white every time your mouse moves which forces the screen to refresh so your mouse will never appear to be getting stuck.
Workaround for macOS bug mirrored virtual screens have laggy or sometimes unresponsive mouse cursor · Issue #807 · waydabber/BetterDisplay
Hi! I'm currently using BetterDisplay with a Dell S3220DGF, and had this curious problem where the mouse cursor doesn't show up immediately after mouse movement after it normally disappears during ...
github.com
If you build and run this code. The freezing will be gone. Now that we are aware of how to get around the Apple Bug for Virtual screens a work around seems likely to be added to BetterDisplay in an upcoming release.
All the code does is switch a single pixel (that is basically hidden) on the screen from black to white every time your mouse moves which forces the screen to refresh so your mouse will never appear to be getting stuck.
Workaround for macOS bug mirrored virtual screens have laggy or sometimes unresponsive mouse cursor · Issue #807 · waydabber/BetterDisplay
Hi! I'm currently using BetterDisplay with a Dell S3220DGF, and had this curious problem where the mouse cursor doesn't show up immediately after mouse movement after it normally disappears during ...
A similar solution, based on the idea shared by @davewolfs is available in the latest internal pre-release version of BetterDisplay (you can enable it under Settings/Application/Updates - enable both pre-release and internal pre-release, then hit Check for Updates).
The solution works really well. Thank you @waydabber
Some tips for anyone using this.
1. Under Displays -> Overview -> Advanced Virtual Screen Settings - I've turned these all on.
2. I've set my LG 5K display to 3840x1620 (LoDPI)
3. I don't use the Virtual Screen Auto Connect Feature (It will remember the last setting anyways). I turn this off because if you play certain content on Apple TV it will not show a picture only Audio, so there are times where I want to manually turn off the virtual display which than will seamlessly switch to the same resolution with LoDPI.
Some tips for anyone using this.
1. Under Displays -> Overview -> Advanced Virtual Screen Settings - I've turned these all on.
2. I've set my LG 5K display to 3840x1620 (LoDPI)
3. I don't use the Virtual Screen Auto Connect Feature (It will remember the last setting anyways). I turn this off because if you play certain content on Apple TV it will not show a picture only Audio, so there are times where I want to manually turn off the virtual display which than will seamlessly switch to the same resolution with LoDPI.
The first post has Unknown for TB4 with LG 40WP95C. I can confirm that HiDPI isn't available at 3840x1620 using TB4 with a MacBook Pro M4.
This is so discouraging. So currently (January 2025) the only way to get a functioning M4-based Mac that does 3840x1620 HiDPI and has functioning USB-C ports that don't randomly disconnect is to buy an M4 Pro or M4 Max MacBook Pro and pair it with one single Dell monitor, the U4025QW (too big for my desk space and I hate curved monitors). 🤯
Timeline for potential fixes 
- 15.3: Expected to release around January 27, 2025
- 15.4: Planned for March 2025
- 15.5: Expected in May 2025
- 16.0: Likely October 2025
Timeline for potential fixes
- 15.3: Expected to release around January 27, 2025
- 15.4: Planned for March 2025
- 15.5: Expected in May 2025
- 16.0: Likely October 2025
I think I read that M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro also have such problem. Can anybody confirm this?
Then in November 2025, Apple may release M5 Mac that can do 3840x1620 HiDPI as an improved feature over the M4 Mac. We buy a new M5 Mac. Then we discover that M5 Mac have other issues which will be fixed in M6 Mac. TC will be very happy that we fell into his trap again and again.
Honestly speaking, I don't enjoy buying Mac since they moved from Intel Mac to Apple Silicon.
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The virtual screen has been working well for me. I run a KVM between two Macs and I can’t notice a difference (one of which is not impacted).
I’ve been using an M4 Pro Mini.
I probably could have lived with a virtual display if I never unplugged my MacBook. But I do and it screwed up all my perfectly arranged Spaces when going back and forth. Maybe there is another way to get that to work but I hit my limit for janky workarounds.
The LG 5k2k is easily available refurbished for about $1000. There is a seller on Amazon that has 5k2k Dell for around $1400, but that's too much, IMO, for that panel. I'll keep my eye out of a discounted/used 5k LG Ultrafine to go with the one I already have. That's the monitor that Apple used to sell before they made their own. The upside is that it's a much better looking panel than the LG.
The LG 5k2k is easily available refurbished for about $1000. There is a seller on Amazon that has 5k2k Dell for around $1400, but that's too much, IMO, for that panel. I'll keep my eye out of a discounted/used 5k LG Ultrafine to go with the one I already have. That's the monitor that Apple used to sell before they made their own. The upside is that it's a much better looking panel than the LG.
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If you're experiencing the missing HiDPI issue with your M4* on your monitor, I strongly encourage you to submit one more time a ticket to Apple via their Feedback page. It only takes 5 minutes and helps ensure this issue gets the attention it deserves. Better late than never.
That's what my friend with the 5K 27" Studio Display and M4 Mac mini also gets. No 3xxx resolution options.