How to simulate a retina display (HiDPI mode) in Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion on a non-retina display?

macos, osx-mountain-lion, retina-display

Solution

- Search for, download, and install Apple's free Additional Tools for Xcode 8 (for previous Xcode releases search for Graphics Tools for Xcode according to your version). Note: free Apple Developer account required.

- Launch Quartz Debug application.

- Go to menu: `Window ---> UI Resolution`.

- Check Enable HiDPI display modes.

- Quit Quartz Debug.

- Open System Preferences.

- Select Displays icon.

- If using multiple display, select the configuration window on the display you wish to simulate HiDPI mode on.

- Under `Resolution:`, select Scaled radio button.

- Find a desired resolution postfixed with `(HiDPI)` and select it.

- Your display is now running in HiDPI mode, simulating a retina display.

Source: High Resolution Guidelines for OS X

Problem

Original source