For LG OLED users: Mac mini M4 does not support HiDPI 4k over HDMI 2.1

[MacCheetah3]

This:

Maybe I've been confused about HiDPI, but as I understood it, 4k resolution would have a HiDPI display of 1080. Your screen only has 3840x2160 pixels to begin with, why would it upsample to 8k to downsample back to the native resolution? The benefit of HiDPI is the smoothing effect of those extra 4 pixels for every displayed pixel, right?

That isn't how HiDPI works. A 4k monitor can not display anything sharper than 3840x2160; so rendering a higher resolution and scaling it down is pointless; the only that *might* do is fake sub pixel anti-aliasing, which why not just bring that feature back instead.

What you really want is a 8k display that renders the UI at 3840x2160 which will be sharper because now it has 2x2 pixels for every 1 pixel to render the same element rather than 1 pixel.

The OP and some others are confused and/or misusing terms. And because the 2024 Mac mini (i.e., M4) doesn’t support (native) 8k for a single display/monitor — I’m not aware of any Mac that has — then, of course, macOS isn’t going to offer HiDPI 4k/8k. The current best is HiDPI 3k/6k. Also, HiDPI and high PPI (e.g., “Retina”) are not the same.

P.S. I prefer the display resolution standard (e.g., XGA, FHD, QHD, UHD) versus the “K” designations. For one reason, it’s (IMO) at least a little less confusing than the other adopted version, which is a mismatch. That is, we went from defining by vertical resolution (e.g., 480p, 720p, 1080p) to categorizing by rounded to the thousand horizontal resolution (e.g, 4k is 3840 pixels).

 

[avkills]

This:


The OP and some others are confused and/or misusing terms. And because the 2024 Mac mini (i.e., M4) doesn’t support (native) 8k for a single display/monitor — I’m not aware of any Mac that has — then, of course, macOS isn’t going to offer HiDPI 4k/8k. The current best is HiDPI 3k/6k. Also, HiDPI and high PPI (e.g., “Retina”) are not the same.

P.S. I prefer the display resolution standard (e.g., XGA, FHD, QHD, UHD) versus the “K” designations. For one reason, it’s (IMO) at least a little less confusing than the other adopted version, which is a mismatch. That is, we went from defining by vertical resolution (e.g., 480p, 720p, 1080p) to categorizing by rounded to the thousand horizontal resolution (e.g, 4k is 3840 pixels).

Technically 4k is 4096x2160; Ultra HD is 3840x2160. Which is kind of funny since pretty much no one makes a monitor that is true 4k. You can find projectors that are though.

Personally I find Apple's entire display chain lame compared to Windows. The only thing Apple has better is calibration. Promotion is stupid. Just let me set it to a higher refresh and be done with it; provided the monitor supports it.

 

[hajime]

So in terms of connecting to high resolution displays and have nice looking text scaling, is there any advantage in getting a Mini M4 Pro rather than a Mini M4? I plan to buy a 5K, 5K2K or 6K monitor in the near future.

 

[macbug]

So in terms of connecting to high resolution displays and have nice looking text scaling, is there any advantage in getting a Mini M4 Pro rather than a Mini M4? I plan to buy a 5K, 5K2K or 6K monitor in the near future.

If you're looking to get 6k displays, the mini M4 Pro will let you use 3 at once where the m4 version you can only use 2 6k monitors and one 5k. They spell out the nitty gritty on this page ( https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-mini/connect-a-display-apd8e4fbbb97 ), but as far as having beautiful looking text and scaling - Just plug it in & set your resolution. Forget this whole thread exists.

 

[hooch88]

I am sorry that my terminology has triggered so many of you.

Here's my MBP M1 Pro connected to LG C2 with flashed USB-C adapter.
View attachment 2451377




I

These look like BS numbers, it's not possible to send 8K signal to 4K TV. What Apple did most likely just remove this BS, likely a bug.
It also does not make any sense to create 8K from 4K content and then downscale, those extra pixels will be empty right? So down-scaling empty pixels will just give original 4K, no improvement in clarity to be seen.

 

[mc-io]

I am sorry that my terminology has triggered so many of you.

Here's my MBP M1 Pro connected to LG C2 with flashed USB-C adapter.
View attachment 2451377
An here's the M4 Pro mini:
View attachment 2451372


I want the M4 to do what the M1 does. Whatever you want to call that, I don't care.

The point of the thread is to warn others considering purchasing the mini who want to run this setting.
Apple's specs do not make it clear that the M4 chip cannot do what an M1 can.
I would like to raise awareness and get others to contact Apple about this, so they hopefully fix it.

If you enjoy using "looks like" 1920x1080 or any other resolution, then great. I don't.
Thanks!

What OP failed to communicate, I think, is how niche it is what he wants to do. Because „looks like 4K“ UI on a 4k display will make all screen elements way too small on regular display sizes (i.e. not big-ass TVs used as monitors).

Just wanted to +1 to support OP.

I also have a 4K display (32" Dell) that I use at native resolution (maybe it's niche to some, but I have good eyesight and like the screen real estate).

Like OP, on my M1 MBP I am rendering at a 8K 7680x4320 base resolution, with "UI Looks like" 4K 3840x2160 (aka 4K HiDPI) à la BetterDisplay, which results in much clearer/"anti-aliased" text. I have the exact same use case as OP, and I will avoid buying the M4 unless it is fixed.

Even if you don't use a 4K display, these limitations may affect you too if you use a 5K2K display (see 26 page thread on that) or an ultrawide. I encourage everyone affected to submit feedback: feedbackassistant.apple.com

 

[gusping]

Sorry to reopen this. Just to confirm. Is this still an issue and means I cannot use my 32in 4k monitor as ‘looks like 2550x1440’, i.e, render at 5k and downscale, even with USB-C to DisplayPort?

If so, I guess I will just keep my M2 mini. I was looking to buy a refurb model as im worried the M5 prices for higher ram configs will be bonkers money.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Sorry to reopen this. Just to confirm. Is this still an issue and means I cannot use my 32in 4k monitor as ‘looks like 2550x1440’, i.e, render at 5k and downscale, even with USB-C to DisplayPort?

I’m not sure about the base M4 but otherwise:

Which monitor should I pick for Mac mini M4? (2K vs 4K confusion)

Yeah. You’d need an 8K monitor, such as the Dell UP3218K, to get UHD HiDPI. Would that be Ultra HD Plus (UHD+) or Ultra Ultra HD (UUHD)? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-ultrasharp-32-8k-monitor-up3218k/apd/210-alez/monitors-monitor-accessories...

forums.macrumors.com

P.S. For anyone who might comment, it’s also possible at 120 Hz.

 

[gusping]

I’m not sure about the base M4 but otherwise:

Which monitor should I pick for Mac mini M4? (2K vs 4K confusion)

Yeah. You’d need an 8K monitor, such as the Dell UP3218K, to get UHD HiDPI. Would that be Ultra HD Plus (UHD+) or Ultra Ultra HD (UUHD)? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-ultrasharp-32-8k-monitor-up3218k/apd/210-alez/monitors-monitor-accessories...

forums.macrumors.com

P.S. For anyone who might comment, it’s also possible at 120 Hz.

Ah, thanks. So it is at least possible on an M4 Pro mini.

 

[Fishrrman]

Try "BetterDisplay".

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

It runs in free mode, and in "paid upgrade" mode.
The free mode may do what you need.
I found the registration offer for a discount, paid it, and am happy with it.

 

[gusping]

Try "BetterDisplay".

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

It runs in free mode, and in "paid upgrade" mode.
The free mode may do what you need.
I found the registration offer for a discount, paid it, and am happy with it.

Hi. Was this aimed at any group in particular? I’m not sure I want on a third party solution for a non-pro M4 mini in case it stopped working. Thank you thought

 

[Fishrrman]

"I’m not sure I want on a third party solution for a non-pro M4 mini in case it stopped working."

If it "stops working" you're back to where you are now.
Again, it runs as a free app (although the free version doesn't have all the features as does the paid version).

I wouldn't be without it now -- too useful.

Aside:
I shrug at the posts I see here (you're not the only one) that say, to wit:
"I don't want a 3rd party app".
Many (most?) of the apps Mac users use, ARE "third party" apps...

 

[gusping]

"I’m not sure I want on a third party solution for a non-pro M4 mini in case it stopped working."

If it "stops working" you're back to where you are now.
Again, it runs as a free app (although the free version doesn't have all the features as does the paid version).

I wouldn't be without it now -- too useful.

Aside:
I shrug at the posts I see here (you're not the only one) that say, to wit:
"I don't want a 3rd party app".
Many (most?) of the apps Mac users use, ARE "third party" apps...

I don’t have this issue on my current Mac, hence investigating before upgrading. So NO, I am not back to where I am now. Simple.

 

[parameter]

I'm on an mini m4 Pro, and run 2 30" Dells at full 4k.
If that helps answer anyones questions. I know the thread is originally for LG, so don't know how relevant this is, but just in case it helps.
Again, it is the mini m4 PRO

 

[gusping]

I'm on an mini m4 Pro, and run 2 30" Dells at full 4k.
If that helps answer anyones questions. I know the thread is originally for LG, so don't know how relevant this is, but just in case it helps.
Again, it is the mini m4 PRO

If you go into display settings, do you have scaling options such as, 'looks like 2560x1440'?

 

[parameter]

If you go into display settings, do you have scaling options such as, 'looks like 2560x1440'?

Yes - I get the scaling options (Can also turn on the manual resolution mode if needed) - But this is what I assume you're talking about?...

I've had zero problems with these displays, and they look great. I run them at full resolution. Any help to you i hope?
...is this a mini "Pro" issue that's not working for some users - or an LG one?

This has worked for me since Sequoia (when I bought them), and through 26.2. Seems to be holding strong at least.

 

[gusping]

Yes - I get the scaling options (Can also turn on the manual resolution mode if needed) - But this is what I assume you're talking about?...

View attachment 2597966

I've had zero problems with these displays, and they look great. I run them at full resolution. Any help to you i hope?
...is this a mini "Pro" issue that's not working for some users - or an LG one?

This has worked for me since Sequoia (when I bought them), and through 26.2. Seems to be holding strong at least.

Yes. That’s perfect. Thank you!