Does display resolution matter?

[TorontoSS]

I have a question about the screen display. On a Macbook Air (13 inch M2), the default is 1470x956. And to make things appear a little bigger it goes to 1280x832.

My question is, are you affecting the clarity or anything by choosing this setting (to make things a bit bigger).
I ask because according to Apple on its website:

"By default, your Mac automatically uses the best resolution for the display. While it’s best to use the default resolution, you can manually set the resolution to make text and objects appear larger on your screen, or adjust it to make text and objects appear smaller so you have more space on your screen."

Why is it best to use the default setting versus a larger resolution? If you need bigger sizes, is it better just to zoom in the default setting?

 

[Longplays]

This is subjective to the user's eye balls.

 

[Beau10]

It's literally the pixel doubled version of the native resolution (1280 * 832) * 2 = 2560 * 1664 - you can't do better for clarity. I don't know why Apple's marketing claims otherwise. Objectively other fractional ratios reduce clarity a bit, though not in any apparent way due to how HiDPI works, unless one looks closely.

It's true the original rMBP had the doubled resolution as a default, but Apple eventually bumped it due to most users wanting a bit more space.

 

[TorontoSS]

It's literally the pixel doubled version of the native resolution (1280 * 832) * 2 = 2560 * 1664 - you can't do better for clarity. I don't know why Apple's marketing claims otherwise. Objectively other fractional ratios reduce clarity a bit, though not in any apparent way due to how HiDPI works, unless one looks closely.

It's true the original rMBP had the doubled resolution as a default, but Apple eventually bumped it due to most users wanting a bit more space.

that's super interesting, so the original rMBP (2013ish?) the default was the slightly larger, easier on the eyes version (1280x832)? And so apple bumped the default to a more space version, which is the current default (1470x956)? when was that done? (I know there's one which adds even more space).

 

[Beau10]

1280*800/1440*900 IIRC for the 13"/15".

I believe it happened with the 2016 redesign though it may have come later.

 

[Falhófnir]

1280*800/1440*900 IIRC for the 13"/15".

I believe it happened with the 2016 redesign though it may have come later.

Yes, the 2016 models changed to default to 1440x900 and 1680x1050, though the physical resolution stayed as it was before (2560x1600 and 2880x1800). Currently the MacBook Airs keep the mismatch, so the default setting isn't integer scaled, while the MacBook Pros (except the 13") upped the physical resolution so it is once again perfect @2x retina scaling.