Default resolution on the new Pros

[aevan]

So, the Apple changed the default resolution on both the 13 and 15" models. I'm not sure about the 13", but on 15" it's "Looks like 1680x1050", and it used to be "Looks like 1440x900".

I'm curious why the change. As you know, it used to say "Using a scaled resolution may affect performance" (although, I never noticed any change in performance on my Retina Macs)

So:

1. Maybe Apple thinks the new GPUs are not affected by this change performance-wise
2. Maybe it's just a trick to make the displays seem higher res than before
3. Maybe there is some technical reason that the displays are now default at higher res

Anyone has any ideas?

 

[jackoatmon]

No idea, personally, but while on the topic of retina scaling, since you seem to have messed with it a bit:

I know the scaling has a performance tax associated with it, but does it actually change the 'playback' image quality at all? Like, is the scaled image you're looking at less pixel-sharp in the non-optimal settings?

 

[monkeydax]

No idea, personally, but while on the topic of retina scaling, since you seem to have messed with it a bit:

I know the scaling has a performance tax associated with it, but does it actually change the 'playback' image quality at all? Like, is the scaled image you're looking at less pixel-sharp in the non-optimal settings?

I think apart from giving them a new feel (make the displays look even higher resolution), the MBPs always seem to look much better running on those new resolutions. I've been using my 2013 15" rMBP at that resolution from Day 1.

 

[aevan]

No idea, personally, but while on the topic of retina scaling, since you seem to have messed with it a bit:

I know the scaling has a performance tax associated with it, but does it actually change the 'playback' image quality at all? Like, is the scaled image you're looking at less pixel-sharp in the non-optimal settings?

In theory, yes, and I can maaaaaybe see some slight fuzzyness on small text when I use a scaled setting on my MBP - not sure. But remember, both MacBook and iPhone 6/6S/7 Plus models always use scaled! Hi density displays can get away with such things.

 

[paaj]

Text should be perfectly rendered to 2880*1800 in the chosen scaling-size, that was the whole point of going retina. No one would want retina if everything was rendered at 1440*900 anyway.

Problems would be visible with unoptimised bitmap images like when internetbrowsing.

 

[Orien]

Yeah, definitely an interesting move since it's now being slightly upscaled by default. Has anyone done an analysis on the performance impact on the new MBPs?