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I am a noob to OS X (coming from Ubuntu/Centos) and am unable to locate the system settings app used for selecting resolution. I looked at the "displays" and it was not there. I am using Mountain Lion 10.8.3. I have retina display.

UPDATE: my confusion is having seen what turns out to be a THIRD PARTY app called QuickRes. I was looking for that believing it be part of native MacOS. QuickRes is doing what I want and have changed to 2880x1800

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  • Apple tries to tell you what is best with that (I am on one too and was confused as well). Some tips that may be helpful can be found here.
    – nerdwaller
    Aug 11, 2013 at 0:40
  • To add onto my comment, do you have the Retina or traditional display? If you have the retina, then choosing Scaled yields options that aren't specific to resolutions.
    – nerdwaller
    Aug 11, 2013 at 0:54

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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Here is a link to the apple answer

The option is under displays and by default OSX decides your screen resolution. However you can change it manually.

Coming from a linux background that might all sound very illogical but most OSX wouldn't see a point in lowering there screen resolution

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  • i wanted to increase the resolution to 2800x1800. As noted in OP i found out the QuickRes 3rd party is what I am seeking.
    – WestCoastProjects
    Aug 11, 2013 at 2:04
  • Didn't see that before hand - as a linux guy you can also edit /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist file to <key>Graphics Mode</key><string>2800x1800x32@60</string>
    – 50-3
    Aug 11, 2013 at 2:30
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Under Display, change from 'Best fit for built in display' to 'scaled'

enter image description here

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  • That depends on if they're using the "Retina" display vs. traditional, mine is a retina which doesn't provide the same options. I'd give an image, but Imgur says it's over capacity right now...
    – nerdwaller
    Aug 11, 2013 at 0:54
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The option may not exist for your primary monitor, if you are on a Retina branded device, then the option doesn't exist. Here is a screenshot of my 15"

enter image description here

As you can see, it's either the default (high res/dpi) or options to adjust the way it looks somewhat (probably technically different resolutions, but not labeled as such).

If you have a nonRetina display, then @Spuder's answer should get you there.

Note, when I have an external display attached - in this same menu I do have the resolution options for the external displays.

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