Is there any real difference? Is one easier? Which is recommended by those of you who have won the struggle that I am currently involved in?

I'd say each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Neither is particularly standard in interface so they can both be somewhat confusing to use. I think the nod would have to go to DisplayConfigX for ease of use, just on the basis of it being simpler in scope.

But there are many things to like about SwitchRes X, too. One thing I have always liked about it is that it writes its data to the standard OS X framework. So, for example, you can install it, set up a custom resolution, and then uninstall it and the custom resolution will persist and be available through OS X Displays preferences. The same cannot be said of DisplayConfigX which uses a proprietary file stucture. Also, you can use all the features of SRX without registering it, which is a very generous feature on the part of its developer. With DCX, you have to pay to play with its advanced (and only useful) features.

One final comment; I am not sure of the status of either of these programs vis-a-vis OS X Leopard. So if you are running Leopard, be advised of it.

I know SwitchResX works under Leopard, but do not use the installer. It installs APE, which is the cause of the biggest problem Leopard has so far. Just use the Preference Pane.

Actually, DisplayConfigX uses the standard and I'm pretty sure that SwitchRes X doesn't.

What that means in practical terms is that once you define the resolution, you don't have the software installed for it to work. Also, it's a bit tricky, but you can copy the files from one Mac to another and have it work without having DisplayConfigX on both machines. In my case, I tried both and didn't like the fact that SwitchRes X installed the APE stuff.

However, SwitchResX does give you some improved user interface stuff like sets if you have really advanced needs like multiple monitors with weird resolutions. DisplayConfigX is a bit more limited there, but once you get the resolutions defined you probably won't be switching all that often anyway.

I used it to create 1368x768 resolutions I use via DVI on my G5 with a 9600 Pro video card and via VGA on the external video of my Macbook Pro 2.2Ghz with Santa Rosa chipset to a Syntax Olevia 32-inch LCD whose native resolution is 1366x768. On the Macbook, I dual boot into Vista Enterprise, but without buying something extra, I can only get it to use 1280x720 or 1280x768.

Dennis

I am running Leopard and Displayconfigx, no issues here.

Mark

I couldn't get displayconfigx v.1.09 to work under Leopard, but v1.05 did.

Configresx is very confusing, and I'm not sure if it's working right. I'll try just installing the preferences pane app instead of using the installer to see if that works any better, but there's items that are mentioned in the documentation that I don't see.

And in either case, I've be completely unable to get either to help me with my Samsung TXN3098WHF and Leopard's refusal to detect anything over DVI. :(