Can we force retina scaling modes on external display?

[vocalnick]

Howdy all.

I have an M1 MacBook Pro, a generic 4K monitor running via DisplayPort through a CalDigit TS3+

I can get a 4K/60Hz picture with no troubles, but I don’t have any of the Retina scaling options available, so all the on screen elements are teeny tiny.

Is there any way to force the Mac to treat the display as a Retina?

 

[Fishrrman]

What happens if you connect to the display "directly"?
That is, remove the CalDigit from the picture?

 

[vocalnick]

What happens if you connect to the display "directly"?
That is, remove the CalDigit from the picture?

Thanks for the response

I don't have a TB3-Displayport adapter, but running USBC-HDMI does get me some additional scaled resolutions, including 1440 which is about right aesthetically. I'm uncertain if it's doing proper retina scaling or just sending a QXGA signal which the monitor is scaling in hardware, but it looks clean enough.

Only 30Hz though, which is a bit sad. I will see if I can track down a TB3-Displayport and try a direct connection.

I did quite like my one-cable docking system though...

 

[Significant1]

I don't know if it will make retina scaling resolutions possible, but I use EasyRes from app to change resolution in the menu-bar. And at least for the built-in display both retina and standard resolutions are posssible:

‎EasyRes

‎The only Mac quick resolution switcher with fully animated previews. Quickly and easily select resolutions for any connected screen from the menu bar or from the Yosemite Notification Center. See live animated previews of screen resolutions before selecting them, making it even easier to choose...

apps.apple.com

 

[vocalnick]

I don't know if it will make retina scaling resolutions possible, but I use EasyRes from app to change resolution in the menu-bar. And at least for the built-in display both retina and standard resolutions are posssible:

‎EasyRes

‎The only Mac quick resolution switcher with fully animated previews. Quickly and easily select resolutions for any connected screen from the menu bar or from the Yosemite Notification Center. See live animated previews of screen resolutions before selecting them, making it even easier to choose...

apps.apple.com

Thanks

I have tried EasyRes (and SwitchResX) and sadly they don't unlock any additional resolutions. Then list jumps straight from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. The same if I hold "option" when I click on "Scaled" in the display preferences.

For the moment I'm just having to run 1920x1080, but it looks pretty horrific on a 4K