MBP 14" 1920x1200 higher scaled resolution with HiDPI

[taphil]

I just got a base MBP 14" to replace a M1 MBA that's being handed down to a family member.

(Well actually I had ordered the new M2 MBA with 8/10 core, 512GB, 16GB. But after handling it in the store and looking at the price difference compared to the MBP 14" with discounts, the 14" MBP is barely more expensive and comes with a better display and the weight difference doesn't really bother me so I got it instead.)

Anyway, I've been running the MBA at a scaled resolution of 1920x1200 with HiDPI, in which text looks sharp compared to scaled resolutions without HiDPI, using the trick described here with the current latest versions of MacOS and SwitchResX: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/scale-1680x1050-on-rmb-without-an-app.1873910/post-29666683

On the new 14" MBP, I used the same trick to enable higher scaled resolution than the default MacOS settings allow, with the only difference being that due to the increased vertical resolution with the notch, I used 3840x2494 as the custom resolution and followed the rest of the instructions exactly. And it works. Very happy now with the new MBP. It now has the same resolution I've been using with the M1 MBA, and text is even sharper due to the higher dpi of the 14" display.

 

[rmgbenschop]

I don't see the real benefit when comparing to the more space (1800x1169) resolution:

1. You miss the height of the notch which I find very useful for the menubar
2. Text is less sharp

I would not recommend doing this.

 

[taphil]

The extra height of the menubar and notch are preserved.

Text is still super sharp since it's HiDPI like the 1800x1169.

You get about an inch more of horizontal screen real estate.

 

[rmgbenschop]

Well I tried it and it is scaling the UI under the notch.

That is logical as due to the notch the screen is a bit higher than 16:10. So we need a resolution higher than 1200 pixels in height.

Text is not as sharp as the scaling factor is not a factor of 2. This is also the case with the More Space setting of MacOS but I do notice more sharpness with this setting compared to your hack.

 

[T Coma]

I'm just learning about the settings and details on my new 16" M1 Pro. I think I've turned it up all I can to "Looks like 2056x1329," whatever that means. I'm not sure what that means yet, but it looks fantastic and the tiny text is perfect and easy to read for me; it's also set for Dark Mode.

I don't know if I need to adjust the resolution any more; I'm curious if the method you detail would improve it.

 

[jsgrrchg]

Can u please share a screenshot or a photo of how the notch looks like? Looking to buy the 14 inch, I currently use a m1 macbook air with same screen hidpi mod that I can't live without, the default resolution scaling is to limited.

 

[Beau10]

BetterDisplay solves this problem completely, giving your virtually infinite HiDPI resolutions using the full area of the display. I have multiple presets, the top of which is 146% native (2208x1434) on my 14" and it looks incredible.

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

I'm using the Pro version and can't recall what the difference is, but it's very much worth it. Not affiliated at all, just a long-time HiDPI display hacker on the older intel machines for years and was frustrated by having no solution when I first got my 14".

This software works miles better than RDM+hacks and SwitchResX as well as offers boosting to 1000 nits for the Apple Silicon 14"/16" MBP.