Apple adds better support for 4K displays in the latest Mac OS X

Apple this week revealed a beta build of the upcoming Mac OS X Mavericks operating system version 10.9.3 to software developers. Among other things, the new version of the OS adds proper support for displays with 4K resolution. Theoretically, this might mean that Apple is either working on a new MacBook Pro with 4K monitor or an external 4K display.

Observers from 9to5Mac web-site discovered that with the Mac OS X 10.9.3, users can now natively set their 4K displays to run the Mac operating system at a pixel-doubled “retina” resolution. Using the Mac OS X pixel-doubled mode means increasing pixel density, which results in significantly sharper images and OS elements.

Previously Mac users with large displays that feature massive 3840*2160 resolution could take advantage of it, but would either need to get used to very small elements or increase (scale) their sizes manually, which does not always work well in all applications.

Perhaps, what is even more important is that Apple has added 60Hz refresh rate support for ultra-high-definition resolutions (e.g., 3840*2160, 4096*2160, etc.). Previously, only 24Hz and 30Hz refresh rates were supported with UHD.

4K UHD displays were not invented today or yesterday, but have existed for years in the professional graphics and video editing spaces. While Apple Mac PCs are praised by graphics professionals, for some reason Apple limited support of 4K displays and resolutions by its computers. In fact, only with Mac OS X 10.9.3 4K monitors can be used truly comfortably with the latest Macs.

Such update could mean that Apple is on the finish line with its own displays supporting 4K resolutions. Rumours about Apple 4K external monitor have been circulating for quite a while. In addition, the company may be working on a MacBook Pro 15” with 4K resolution as well as on an iMac with 4K display. Finally, a rumour has it that Apple’s long awaited TV line would include 4K models as well.

Apple did not comment on the news-story.

KitGuru Says: As always with novelties, timing matters. Apple Mac OS X 10.9.3 has not been released to the public yet. It does not make sense to expect the company to release its Apple Thunderbolt 4K display(s) ahead of the new OS version. Therefore, once Apple launches the 10.9.3, it will be ready to unleash its new breed of 4K PCs and/or displays.

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