Does macOS no longer support standard definition 4:3 resolution?

[eddjedi]

I recently bought a 2018 i5 Mac Mini running macOS 15 Sequoia (the latest version it supports) to play old 90s adventure games using ScummVM. I chose this Mac because it's modern enough to support current browsers and still gets security updates, but was cheap to buy. I am pairing it with a 1280 x 1024 4:3 Lenovo monitor, because all the games I want to play are 4:3 resolution and I don't like pillarbox.

The problem I've got is every time I turn the Mac on, I first get this weird squashed screen with a black left margin, and then immediately after logging in it just shows snow as per the second photo. The only way to then get a normal image is to physically unplug the HDMI cable from the back of the Mac and plug it in again. It will then work fine until it is either turned off or goes to sleep, then the physical unplugging process has to be repeated.

I have tried HDMI, USB C, a VGA adapter, plus multiple cables, all give the same behaviour. This monitor works perfectly fine with my G4 Mac and my Raspberry Pi 5, so I don't think it's the monitor. The only thing I can think of is that maybe modern macOS doesn't like 4:3 monitors or non-retina resolutions? Has anyone else had this odd behaviour with a 4:3 monitor and found a solution to it?

 

[Basic75]

But 1280x1024 is not 4:3, it's "more square" at 5:4.

What kind(s) of input does the monitor have and which exact combinations of cables and adapters have you used?

 

[eddjedi]

Yes sorry that's true, 1280x1024 is what I want. As you can see in the first photo, for some reason the monitor thinks it is receiving 1629x1026?! The monitor has DVI and VGA inputs. I have tried:

• HDMI to DVI adapter
• HDMI to DVI cable
• USB C to HDMI to DVI adapter
• HDMI to VGA adapter

All with the same results. I would immediately blame the monitor but as above my Raspberry Pi behaves as expected via an HDMI cable and DVI adapter.

 

[Fishrrman]

You might try "BetterDisplay", which can be found here:

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

BD runs in both "free" and "paid" modes (the paid mode is "BetterDisplay Pro").
BUT... the free version may be all that you need.

Having said that, if nothing else works...
...why not get a new display?

1080p display if you're financially strained
BUT
You can find 27" 4k displays these days at VERY reasonable prices...

 

[b0fh666]

You might try "BetterDisplay", which can be found here:

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

BD runs in both "free" and "paid" modes (the paid mode is "BetterDisplay Pro").
BUT... the free version may be all that you need.

Having said that, if nothing else works...
...why not get a new display?

1080p display if you're financially strained
BUT
You can find 27" 4k displays these days at VERY reasonable prices...

he wants an old school 'square' display... all we can get today is some sort of widescreen...

 

[eddjedi]

Thanks, I'll try BetterDisplay. And yep, as above the games I want to play on it look better on small, square, low resolution displays (a CRT would be the dream!)