Skip to main content
J
Jim04
Inspiring
July 5, 2012
Answered

Photoshop & Macbook Retina display

  • July 5, 2012
  • 3 replies
  • 57814 views

Does Photoshop support the new Macbook Pro Retina display?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Brett N

    It occurs to me to add: all of these problems are bypassed if you use an external screen rather than the rMBP's built-in display. Obviously that isn't much comfort if you do the bulk of your image editing on the road or in a coffee shop, but if you spend a significant amount of time in an office/studio (as I do) where you have an external display (or several), then you can of course use that and Photoshop and Lightroom will both look as you might expect.


    The Photoshop CS6 13.0.2 update is now available free to all Mac users. It provides support for Retina displays.

    Photoshop 13.0.2 update for CS6

    3 replies

    M
    Michael_Buran
    Participant
    July 19, 2012

    I use Photoshop for web and mobile app design. I gave it a try on my MBP w/retina display, but had to revert to my 2 year old MBP because fonts, shapes, or any other graphical elements appear as though the pixels were doubled. And I am not talking about the application windows, I am referring to the PSD itself.

    I have tried all the available display settings and non show crisp text or rounded edges. As a designer, it is impossible to work under these conditions. Believe me, I don't want to, but I am just about ready to return my new MBP.

    Now this may not be the same issue for Photo editors, but it is a deal breaker UI designers.

    M
    Michael_Buran
    Participant
    July 19, 2012

    Just wanted to add two notes:

    1. 72dpi JPG comps are so small. Every image opens in its natural resolution, which is now 1/2 the size it used to be. So if you like to use the quick look feature, forget it. Website comps unreadable without zooming in.

    2. I don't know how they will be able to fix this without increasing the dpi of a PSD. And then what implications does this have on performance? Will 72dpi really be 144dpi, but when I save an image for the web it reverts to 72dpi? Just not understanding how this will work.

    N
    NPuter
    Participating Frequently
    July 19, 2012

    I am no photoshop pro (mostly use lightroom, but I do play around with photoshop), but doesn't DPI have nothing to do with how the image is displayed on the computer screen? I thought DPI was only for print. On a computer screen, at 100% zoom, the photoshop image displays at native res - 1 computer pixel per 1 pixel of the document. So documents will only look smaller on the retina macbook pro.'

    Please correct me if I'm wrong...

    C
    ColdfireDigital
    Participant
    July 9, 2012

    Hello,

    I am planning to buy the new MBP with Retina display, actually switching from Windows. Now I became aware that Photoshop isn't compatible with it yet, however, I wonder if I connect an external display, will Photoshop function properly then?

    Just have no idea wether the retina display also affects the resolution on an external display one way or another...

    I haven't read enough reviews yet to be honest, but I read that you could switch modes, whether to use the Retina function or to have a larger desktop. Or did I misunderstood it?

    It's from this site: http://www.cultofmac.com/174582/review-the-2012-retina-macbook-pro/5/

    "You can make a compromise, and it’s a nice one. The new Retina MacBook Pros default to a HiDPI 1,440 x 900 pixel desktop, meaning that each pixel of a normal 1,440 x 900 display is essentially comprised of four smaller ones, giving unprecedented visual clarity. You can, however, adjust the settings of a Retina MacBook Pro so that it sacrifices clarity for desktop space, “shrinking” the size of apps and UI elements in relation to the desktop, up to a maximum of an equivalent 1,920 x 1200 resolution. We love this mode: it not only makes non-Retina apps look significantly better, it also gives notebook users a lot more desktop space… a huge perk if you work in multiple windows side-by-side fairly often."

    Thanks!

    J
    Jim04Author
    Inspiring
    July 9, 2012

    I visited an Apple store and discussed the issue of Retina displays and the resolution of Adobe CS apps.  We fired up Photoshop CS5 on several of the new Macbook Pros.  Neither I or any of the Apple folks could see any problem either with the UI or an image that we opened with Photoshop.  I do not know what the screen resolution was set at, but these were the Macbook Pros that were on the tables for any customer to try out.  All had CS5.  None had CS6.

    I am now beginning to think that this not the big issue that some have made it our to be.  It might even be a non-issue.  Based on what I saw, I would not hesitate to buy a new Macbook Pro with the new Retina display.

    JJMack
    Community Expert
    JJMackCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 9, 2012

    Jim04 wrote:

    I am now beginning to think that this not the big issue that some have made it our to be.  It might even be a non-issue.  Based on what I saw, I would not hesitate to buy a new Macbook Pro with the new Retina display.

    The issue is is the Retina display being use by the OS as a high resolution display or is the OS scaling small sized application windos up in pixel size so the will be the same phycial size the would on a 100DIP display. 

    As Chris Cox wrote

    If the user hasn't changed the OS scaling preferences, then Photoshop on a retina display will look just like Photoshop on a non-retina display.

    It just won't have smooth text and UI edges that the increased resolution offers, and the image won't be using the full resolution of the display because the OS will be doubling all the pixels automatically.

    Actually not 2x the pixels its takes 4x to double the resolution. Why buy a 226DIP display and run it as a 100dpi display just buy a cheaper 100DPI diplay. One should buy a 226 to use its as a 226dpi display.  I would imagine you can switch between scalling and using native resolution. Also Photoshop should be able to run without scaling. Just have a hardware or sofware magnifying handy to enable you to read Pohoshop GUI till Adobe updates Photoshop with a GUI size option suitable for a 226Dpi resolution.

    JJMack
    John Waller
    Community Expert
    John WallerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 5, 2012

    Not yet.

    They're working on it (but could be CS 6.5 or CS7)

    http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2012/06/photoshop-cs6-retina-display-support.html

    [MODERATOR adds:]

    Please visit the main thread on this issue to continue the conversation:

    http://forums.adobe.com/message/4490869

    Message was edited by: Brett N

    L
    Lars Olson
    Participant
    July 6, 2012

    Good question OP!

    It is extremely frustrating that the most linked response to the very common retina support question is a short, single paragraph, vague "we'll soon provide" post from nearly a month ago.

    Adobe is trying to sell people on creative cloud. That is a big commitment. Adobe should consider giving people a date for a retina update to their products. What will support it? What won't? When?

    It sucks to be a photographer and have to choose between using either the best display ever put on a Mac or using photoshop. Because believe me, you can't use both right now.

    It would seem to me that adobe would want to keep people from switching to Aperture. Maybe communicating with their customers, who want to pay them money, would be a start.

    pf22
    pf22
    Participating Frequently
    July 6, 2012

    msdarkroom wrote: It sucks to be a photographer and have to choose between using either the best display ever put on a Mac or using photoshop. Because believe me, you can't use both right now.

    Just out of interest msdarkroom, how many hours do you think you could tolerate using Photoshop on a... 15 inch screen?

    I have the iPad3 and the Retina Display is stunning, but I use it as a digital portfolio, and "work" on a 24" monitor, in fact, I don't even have a notebook because I think the screens are just too small.

    I don't really care how many gazillion megapixels they squeeze into the display, you're still squinting into a 15" screen.

    Most of the designers and photographers I know are using massive 27-30" displays, many are running dual screen set-ups, so I have to admit to being somewhat bemused by all this interest in the new MacBook Pro from the creative community, especially if it's your primary machine.

    Now, a 21 or 27" iMac with a Retina Display... that would be something to lust after!!!

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices