New Display Resolution

Question

I can't believe I'm asking this but since the 8600MT supports the higher resolution option, is that only possible through applications? I dont even see it as an option under the display tab.
Also does anyone know of a gpu clock frequency display program? I love how nividia provides no tools for mac users that I know of.
Thanks.

Answer 1

dk213,
Resolution independence refers to, and will only affect, the way the OS uses the number of pixels displayed on screen. It will not affect anything about the display itself, or what goes on between the GPU and the display.
As display resolutions have gone higher and higher, with display size remaining the same (for example, a 17" MBP with a display resolution of 1920 X 1200), the fact that the number of pixels being packed into the same physical space has gone up considerably. This presents a problem for OSs that have held to the old convention that 1" = 72 pixels, and vice versa. This is the 72 DPI convention.
To this point, everything "graphic" in nature about computing relies on this convention. Fonts, photos, web pages, etc., etc. are all rendered accordingly. A photo that measures 576 X 720 pixels is considered to physically measure 8" X 10". Text, based on this 72 DPI convention, is rendered quite small even on a 17" display with a resolution of 1680 X 1050 (my MBP). In spite of the fact that this smaller text is actually sharper, because the pixels are "finer," there are many complaints that it is too small.
Resolution independence does away with the 72 DPI convention, thereby allowing the OS to take full advantage of higher-resolution displays without making the GUI "miniaturized." Text will still be thought of, and rendered, at 72 DPI, but a "dot" and a "pixel" will not have to equate; one "dot" could be comprised of 4 pixels, for example.
Scott