Screenshots of Mac OS X 10.7.3 developer builds have revealed what we already suspected: ultra-high definition Macs are coming. This Get Info window capture reveals a HIDPI (Hi-Dots-Per-Inch) mode checkbox that may come in the next update of Apple’s desktop OS.
The checkbox would open any application using the special high definition screen mode needed to support new hardware. Instead of using low resolution interface elements, Mac OS X would use assets with double the pixel resolution of the current ones. This means that, if you are using new Retina-like displays, the relative resolution will double, making everything twice as sharp while retaining the same absolute size in the screen.
This supports the rumour that a new 15″ MacBook may have a 2880 x 1800-pixel screen early next year. The option box has disappeared from the last Mac OS X developer build, version 11D36.
Like always, take all rumours with a grain of salt. Nobody knows for sure when these ultra-high definition may come. [MacRumors]
Glenn
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 11:20 AMwhile it will be sharper they need to ensure everything remains the same size… I moved from 1680×1050 22″ monitors to 1920×1080 22″ monitors and the size decrease was really noticable… I adjusted quickly, but I still miss the larger print.
Also, 2880×1800 resolution will kick the shit out of your GPU in gaming… yes it’ll look sweet but the difference in pixels between 1080p and 720p is half… 2880×1800 is 150% more pixels.
olearymo
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 3:49 PMdo you understand how monitors work, glenn?
Sam
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 7:12 PMHe was making a joke, clearly.
You know, the “gaming on the mac” one….
Antonia
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 11:32 AMThat’s why the article says *new* hardware.
MotorMouth
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 11:50 AMI assume it is the DPI that will change, not the size of the info displayed on it. Current screens work at 96 dpi (TVs are just 72dpi) and things only look good at the native resolution – 1:1 pixel mapping. Apple will need to come up with a way to address that, presumably by just making all the display elements huge so they are still usable at high resolution. Otherwise I don’t think people will like it – everyone who sees my old laptop – 1920×1200 on a 15″ screen, thinks I’m crazy working like that, even though I kind of like it.
Glenn
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 1:11 PMYou’re not crazy. 1920×1200 on a 15″ is excessive, but it’s better than 1366×768… I hate 1366×768 on anything larger than a 12″ because Most websites aren’t built for Widescreen and you’re practically on a 1024×768 screen again.