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Anyone using a Dell U2412M with a Mac Studio M2?
- Thread starter Pete_202
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I'm guessing your 24" 1920x1200 monitor will not display sharp text due to how macOS handles display scaling. Display scaling is a complicated topic.. you can find tons of resources to read online. Download and install BetterDisplay. It might help you find the right scaling when using your new $2000 (or more) Mac Studio with your $90 monitor.
github.com
GitHub - waydabber/BetterDisplay: Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more!
Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more! - waydabber/BetterDisplay
github.com
I regularly use a Dell P2421 and a 5K iMac 27" display (218 ppi) at their default resolution/scaling.
Native 1920x1200 for the Dell (as scaling makes no sense at these low ppi imho) and 'looks like 2560x1440' for the iMac screen (2x scaling).
On the Dell text is obviously more 'rough'/pixelated whereas on the 'Retina' 5K it looks smooth like printed on paper (similar to an iPhone/iPad).
Another benefit of higher resolution displays is the ability to zoom out further (a.e. in Excel) and still be able to read small text/numbers that would be impossible to identify on your current display.
But the biggest advantage I see from a productivity standpoint is the real estate you gain with a 27" display (or a HiDPI one at scaled resolution).
You could consider looking at some 4K (24" or 27") displays which cost a fraction of 5K and might offer a similar improvement over your current Dell (sharper and more real estate at a scaled resolution).
Numerous users are very happy with a 27" 4K display using the 'looks like 1440p' scaled resolution.
(There are only few use cases where the uneven scaling factor is hindering. Like pixel based design work.)
Not sure this helps with your original question.
EDIT: Don't get me wrong - one can be very well productive on a 24" 1920x1200 display. The Dell is not bad at all and I love the 16:10 aspect ratio.
HiDPI is just more pleasing and more real estate can usually improve your workflow (less scrolling, more items visible, …)
Native 1920x1200 for the Dell (as scaling makes no sense at these low ppi imho) and 'looks like 2560x1440' for the iMac screen (2x scaling).
On the Dell text is obviously more 'rough'/pixelated whereas on the 'Retina' 5K it looks smooth like printed on paper (similar to an iPhone/iPad).
Another benefit of higher resolution displays is the ability to zoom out further (a.e. in Excel) and still be able to read small text/numbers that would be impossible to identify on your current display.
But the biggest advantage I see from a productivity standpoint is the real estate you gain with a 27" display (or a HiDPI one at scaled resolution).
You could consider looking at some 4K (24" or 27") displays which cost a fraction of 5K and might offer a similar improvement over your current Dell (sharper and more real estate at a scaled resolution).
Numerous users are very happy with a 27" 4K display using the 'looks like 1440p' scaled resolution.
(There are only few use cases where the uneven scaling factor is hindering. Like pixel based design work.)
Not sure this helps with your original question.
EDIT: Don't get me wrong - one can be very well productive on a 24" 1920x1200 display. The Dell is not bad at all and I love the 16:10 aspect ratio.
HiDPI is just more pleasing and more real estate can usually improve your workflow (less scrolling, more items visible, …)
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That was an interesting read. Thanks for that.
I need to upgrade my 2009 Mac Pro which I use for music production. I don't mind spending the money on a Mac Studio to get the much needed performance increase but I am less bothered about upgrading the display side of things, for now. All I require is something usable where text is still fairly sharp.
I can see the advantage in getting a 27" display and ideally I will be upgrading to a 5k 27" display at some point, but right now I can't afford it on top of getting the Studio. All I want is something usable.
I like the idea of a 4k 24" and these can be picked up fairly cheaply.
If you did not already use Mojave on your 2009 Mac Pro, text might look different when using a current macOS with your Dell.
This is due to Apple removing/disabling subpixel anti-aliasing / font smoothing which (apparently) leads to an inferior text rendering on non-Retina displays.
I did not fiddle with any Terminal commands to bring it back on my Dell because to me it still looks very crisp - just not as smooth as 'Retina'.
But I wanted to mention the possibility.
Best of luck on your quest for a new display - luckily the Studio is portable enough to bring it to an electronics store or friend to test different screens if you want to get a real-life impression.
To me 27" 5K is ideal so I took the money-saving DIY road.
This is due to Apple removing/disabling subpixel anti-aliasing / font smoothing which (apparently) leads to an inferior text rendering on non-Retina displays.
I did not fiddle with any Terminal commands to bring it back on my Dell because to me it still looks very crisp - just not as smooth as 'Retina'.
But I wanted to mention the possibility.
Best of luck on your quest for a new display - luckily the Studio is portable enough to bring it to an electronics store or friend to test different screens if you want to get a real-life impression.
To me 27" 5K is ideal so I took the money-saving DIY road.