Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

mac mini monitor options and brightness control

I

Inpresmoj

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 31, 2019
20
5
Im looking at getting a mac mini and a new monitor to go with it.

The LG ultrafines 24 and a 27 offer seamless intergration but the 27 is out of my price range and the 24 dosnt seem to be in stock anywhere.

Because i suffer from haeadaches i adjust brightness quite frequently on my PC through Nvidia software, i dont do it through my monitor controls because it produces a very annoying whinning noise when brightness is low and its very slow this way.

Im after a new monitor that comes with its own software that i can control the brightness with but its not proving easy to find at all.
Also a monitor with its own nightmode too, as im guessing apples might not work either?

I've looked into the imac 24" but i've been put off by a number of reports of the same issue i have with my current monitor, ie whining noise when brighness is low and it seems to be quite a widespread issue.

The best way to avoid this whinning noise is doing what worked for me on my PC and thats turning the brightnes down via the video card output rather than the monitor but im not sure that is even possible on a mac?

I've found apps like Lunar that can turn brightness down but again these seem to control the monitor and not the video card so im guessing there is a higher chance of whinning noise with these apps too.

Only thing i think that would work is these apps that put an overlay up to darken the screen, but is this really my only soultion?

I've been going round in circles for days looking into this, even thought about just sticking with Linux but I'd really like to get into Mac OS has anyone got any thoughts suggestions. thanks
 
Dell recently released the Dell Display Manager for macOS. It allows you to adjust some settings, which I think brightness is one. However, you cannot adjust volume with the macOS menu bar.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jazz1
southerndoc said:
Dell recently released the Dell Display Manager for macOS. It allows you to adjust some settings, which I think brightness is one. However, you cannot adjust volume with the macOS menu bar.
Click to expand...
Is it good?
 
Hi @Inpresmoj,

With macOS you have plenty of options to change the brightness for third party displays both via hardware control and via software control:

  • You can check out the free and open source MonitorControl app on GitHub. You can simply turn off hardware control in Preferences/Displays if you don't want the display hardware itself to change the backlighting level (even though this gives the best visual result) - the app will then use software dimming (changes the output level of the video by altering the gamma tables or alternatively, if you disable that as well, by putting a dim overlay over the screen - both options are selectable in the app).
  • The already mentioned Lunar also has also the option to turn of hardware control (it will use gamma control then) - it has a cheaper app store version which uses software control only.
  • You can also use the free appstore app, QuickShade (this simply puts a dark overlay over the screen which has some drawbacks - like mouse cursor is not affected and there are some artifacts when minimizing/maximizing windows + it cannot control displays independently).
Hope this helps.
 
Are you hardware calibrating your monitor? That would allow you to set it at a consistent level and choose a brightness that hopefully doesn't cause you problems. If you are working in a single space you could also spend some time thinking about the lighting and wall colours etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: marstan
Im now using monitor control app on a Huawei Mateview 28.2 inch 3:2 monitor and it works perfectly, I can control the brightness and contrast no issues, even the volume control. Im not using hardware calibration. Im getting really bad headaches though, they start to come on after only 15mins of use, whereas I can use my MacBook for hours and no headaches at all in the same room. Text is nice and sharp and clear, its hard to figure out, my eyes might just need more time I'm hoping to adjust to a different screen.
 
That doesn't sound normal. I would definitely recommend hardware calibration and correct lighting, but I would question if there is something defective with the Huawei monitor, given that you can use the laptop without issue in the same space. Regular headaches after 15 minutes is not something to be ignored.

BenQ make eye care monitors that are flicker free with low blue light technology that may help. https://www.benq.com/en-au/knowledg...ve-reasons-to-choose-an-eye-care-monitor.html.
 
I got headaches with my old laptop for a number of weeks in a different room then they just went away. My new MacBook was fine straight away but a new iPad I bought in the last few weeks is also giving me headache after only about 30mins so I think my eyes are just very sensitive.

Im trying different contrast and brightness levels and text sizes, I'm also going to change the lighting in my new office, I've only just moved and its not great. I will keep plugging away at it, If I can't get it sorted then I will look at those benq monitors
 
Slightly larger text sizes might help, as would sitting at the right distance. Also consistent, soft even lighting should help. You really shouldn't be messing with the contrast and brightness every time.
 
ashleykaryl said:
Slightly larger text sizes might help, as would sitting at the right distance. Also consistent, soft even lighting should help. You really shouldn't be messing with the contrast and brightness every time.
Click to expand...
Larger text size does help. For example, on my 27" 4k I use 1920 x 1080 for text and it is very comfortable, not only because it is larger but also clearer due to an integer resolution. If I want more screen real estate I can go to a smaller resolution that is almost imperceptively less clear. That is the utility of a 4k screen and the HiDPI OS modes: you have several workable options for resolution because of the high pixel density.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back