The status of software supporting 120Hz

[bearinthetown]

Hi folks,

I'm switching to MacBook Pro M2 whenever it's released. One of the features I'm most excited about is the 120Hz screen.

I found information about which software takes advantage of it very confusing. Which Mac built-in apps actually use 120Hz frequency? And additionally, which web browsers do and scroll nicely?

 

[rmgbenschop]

All the software can make use of the 120Hz refresh rate of the monitor.
It's only noticeable with motion though, so with scrolling or with 120Hz video.

When you are showing static content, the ProMotion tech will cut down the refresh rate to as low as 5Hz (correct me if I'm wrong) to save battery.

 

[kasakka]

Unless Apple improves the pixel response times of their M2 Macbook Pros, VRR will be largely a power saving feature and similarly 120 Hz won't be useful as the display cannot keep up. It might feel a bit more responsive but that's about it.

120+ Hz on external monitors can work well as usually they are designed to keep up with the refresh rate but whether Macs will work at those refresh rates is always a mystery until you try it. I have tried literally the same adapter on my PC's 2080 Ti's USB-C port and getting full 144 Hz on my current Samsung display yet my 2019 MBP cannot do above 60 Hz. The newer M1/M2 models should be better in this regard, at least for the Pro/Max/Ultra stuff.

Apps do not need to support high refresh rates explicitly.