External monitor resolution

[Brondi]

Hi,
I just buy a BenQ PD2500Q and use it as external monitor for my MBP mid 2015.
I connected it with both HDMI and then DisplayPort: in both cases the text look like no so sharp, but the main problem is that text and interface are really hard to read, too small.

Then I connected the monitor with Windows and Linux(tested with ubuntu), at 2k resolution windows stetted 125% scaling, with Linux not remember, but scaling was possible and text definition and size was ok.

With OSX is not.

Any suggestion?
Thanks to all in advance.

 

[joevt]

The BenQ PD2500Q is a 2560x1440 display.

Does 125% apply to each dimension (vertically and horizontally)?
2560/125% x1440/125% = 2048x1152.
Create a 4096x2304 scaled mode using SwitchResX, then use the 2048x1152 HiDPI mode.

Or does it mean total area?
2560/√125% x 1440/√125% = 2290x1288 (rounded to nearest 16:9 = 2288x1287)
Create a 4576x2574 scaled mode using SwitchResX, then use the 2290x1288 HiDPI mode.

 

[chscag]

That monitor comes in two sizes: 25" and 32". With that resolution, screen characters are going to appear small. The 32" would be a better choice for viewing. Both have a 16:9 aspect ratio.

 

[AAPLGeek]

Hi,
I just buy a BenQ PD2500Q and use it as external monitor for my MBP mid 2015.
I connected it with both HDMI and then DisplayPort: in both cases the text look like no so sharp, but the main problem is that text and interface are really hard to read, too small.

That's because Apple got rid of subpixel-AA. Basically, anything less than 4k resolution looks like trash on MacOS Mojave and later.

The subpixel-AA debacle and font rendering

Since the disablement of subpixel anti-aliasing by default in Mojave, many folks (including myself) have noticed that some applications render fonts strangely on non-Retina displays. I notice this especially in Marzipan apps like News and Stocks. Are things better in Catalina? What's the state...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Brondi]

The BenQ PD2500Q is a 2560x1440 display.

Does 125% apply to each dimension (vertically and horizontally)?
2560/125% x1440/125% = 2048x1152.
Create a 4096x2304 scaled mode using SwitchResX, then use the 2048x1152 HiDPI mode.

Or does it mean total area?
2560/√125% x 1440/√125% = 2290x1288 (rounded to nearest 16:9 = 2288x1287)
Create a 4576x2574 scaled mode using SwitchResX, then use the 2290x1288 HiDPI mode.

Tried both, the interface and the text comes bigger and more readable in both the cases (better in the first) but the text is no so sharp.

That's because Apple got rid of subpixel-AA. Basically, anything less than 4k resolution looks like trash on MacOS Mojave and later.

The subpixel-AA debacle and font rendering

Since the disablement of subpixel anti-aliasing by default in Mojave, many folks (including myself) have noticed that some applications render fonts strangely on non-Retina displays. I notice this especially in Marzipan apps like News and Stocks. Are things better in Catalina? What's the state...

forums.macrumors.com

So in your opinion I need to buy at least 4k monitor?

 

[AAPLGeek]

So in your opinion I need to buy at least 4k monitor?

Yes, 4k/5k is the way to go if you want super sharp text.

 

[Brondi]

This is what I reach using SwitchResX at 2048x1152 HiDPI.
It’s normal? From my view the text is a bit blurry and no sharp. The icon has some shadow. If you show te first image, is the cursor in Word that look horrible in my opinion.

Is because at native resolution a 2k is too small for a 25”?
Should be a good choice if use a 2k on 27”?

Switching to a new monitor, like a Dell U2719DC(I calculate a PPI=108.79) or LG 29WK600(PPI=95.81) could be a good idea?
My current one should be a PPI=144.82.

Spoiler: Image

 

[Fishrrman]

The BenQ PD2500Q is a "QHD" or "1440p" display.
That means it has a native resolution of 2560x1440.
That's the resolution you should be using.

Using a different resolution other than "native" will force the Mac's GPU to work harder, resulting in possible slowdowns and pushing the GPU harder to the point where the fans come on.

Also, it may affect the quality of the display.

As mentioned above, I think 32" is a better size for 1440p.
If you want 4k (for the sharpest text display), get a 27" 4k display.

 

[Brondi]

The BenQ PD2500Q is a "QHD" or "1440p" display.
That means it has a native resolution of 2560x1440.
That's the resolution you should be using.

Using a different resolution other than "native" will force the Mac's GPU to work harder, resulting in possible slowdowns and pushing the GPU harder to the point where the fans come on.

Also, it may affect the quality of the display.

As mentioned above, I think 32" is a better size for 1440p.
If you want 4k (for the sharpest text display), get a 27" 4k display.

Oh thank you so much!
I’m not an expert of Monitors, I bought that monitor because I was advised. As said above, at 2k the text is too small.
I no need a 4k monitor, the only things that I need is a monitor that is readable from far 40/50cm and the text is no so blurry and shadowed.
So there is some connection between the resolution of the monitor and the inches.

In your opinion a 27” with 2k is readable(another mac user has the Dell above), or I try to buy an 32” as you said?

 

[ght56]

I have a 25 inch QHD Dell Ultrasharp and text is crisp at native 1440p without any scaling (Catalina, 16-inch MBP). As the text is indeed smaller, I am about 24-30 inches from the display in terms of viewing distance. It's not as crisp as a retina or a 4k display, but it is much better than 1080. However, if I scale down to 1080 on this display, it looks absolutely terrible and way worse than 1080 on a native 1080 display.

My solution for the smaller text has been repositioning my viewing distance where I moved my QHD displays physically closer to me than my 1080 displays were. Macs don't do scaling quite as simple/well as Windows, unfortunately, especially with sub-4k displays. That said, I strongly prefer running a QHD display in native resolution as opposed to using a 4k display that is scaled, even though the 4k can have crisper looking text (especially since Mojave).

 

[Brondi]

I have a 25 inch QHD Dell Ultrasharp and text is crisp at native 1440p without any scaling (Catalina, 16-inch MBP). As the text is indeed smaller, I am about 24-30 inches from the display in terms of viewing distance. It's not as crisp as a retina or a 4k display, but it is much better than 1080. However, if I scale down to 1080 on this display, it looks absolutely terrible and way worse than 1080 on a native 1080 display.

My solution for the smaller text has been repositioning my viewing distance where I moved my QHD displays physically closer to me than my 1080 displays were. Macs don't do scaling quite as simple/well as Windows, unfortunately, especially with sub-4k displays. That said, I strongly prefer running a QHD display in native resolution as opposed to using a 4k display that is scaled, even though the 4k can have crisper looking text (especially since Mojave).

Thanks for your opinion, I appreciate that!
Only for getting you an idea, at follow there is a photo taken using an iPhone, but I think not look like the real monitor, but I hope you can understand how little are the menu.
Perhaps is the monitor that is the not correct one, idk.

Spoiler: Image

 

[Brondi]

Update at today, 28 Oct 2020.
I refunded my BenQ back to Amazon and I bought a Dell UltraSharp 2719D. Very design monitor, little edges and great panel. It has some cons too, the arm is less stable than the BenQ but don’t care.
With a 27” 2k with 109 DPI the interface look like much better than before, but is no good enough for me: for example in order to read Telegram chats I have to get very close to the monitor and the text is no perfect sharp. The same is with Word main page, the suggested models title like “Blank Documents” is no so sharp.

I’m very disappointed with macOS menage external monitor, more with Apple that don’t care about rescaling option on is GUI.