Occasionally, Additional Solutions Are Necessary Beyond Apple’s Offerings

Being a Mac user since the inception of the Macintosh in 1984, I tend to give Apple’s tools a shot whenever they are available for a specific task. For instance, I utilize Disk Utility to format or repair disks and USB sticks, manage fonts using Font Book, and play videos using QuickTime Player.

However, I’m not entirely committed to Apple to the point of disregarding superior non-Apple alternatives, especially when the Apple option falls short. This situation arose recently when I helped a colleague set up an extra display for their Mac.

Initially, I attempted to utilize the built-in Displays system extension that comes with every Mac. Naturally, this extension functioned with both the integrated display on the MacBook Pro and the supplementary display connected to the Mac. However, I encountered a limitation with the Displays system extension—it only offered five resolution options for each of the two displays. Unfortunately, these limited choices didn’t meet the optimal requirements for this particular setup, as depicted in Figure 1.

Recognizing the significant advantages of having an extra monitor for enhancing my home office work, I took the initiative to redesign my desk setup. The goal was to incorporate a dedicated second display that would provide lasting benefits. Additionally, I aimed to identify an improved solution for my colleague’s needs. After several adjustments involving cables and power strips, I finalized the configuration showcased in Figure 2. For clarity, the secondary display in this arrangement is the Touchscreen Portable Monitor.

By employing the Switch Resolution tool within Parallels® Toolbox, I successfully expanded the range of available resolution options for each of my displays. This utility proves particularly valuable for individuals who find the macOS resolution settings to be somewhat constrained. (In Figure 3), you can observe the complete array of resolution choices presented for both of my displays. Since the ideal resolution for my secondary display varies based on the specific task I’m working on, I’ve integrated the Switch Resolution tool into the Mac menu bar (as depicted in Figure 4). This ensures its constant accessibility, allowing me to swiftly alter resolutions as needed.

Are you looking for a way to enhance your Mac experience beyond what Apple provides? Do you find macOS resolution settings limiting for your display needs? Or want to easily switch between a wide range of display resolutions for optimal performance?
Upgrade your Mac experience with Parallels Toolbox and unlock a world of possibilities! If you’ve ever felt restricted by Apple’s default tools or found your display resolutions limited, Parallels Toolbox is here to elevate your workflow.

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