Ask HN: New macOS, but I still have 2 issues

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Ask HN: New macOS, but I still have 2 issues

This is just a plea… if anyone has found a way to solve either of these, I’d love some help.

First issue – it's driving me crazy. This isn’t my first Mac, but since switching to Mac Silicon (specifically the M1 Max), I’ve been having trouble with dual external monitors when the lid of my MacBook Pro is closed (well actually it happens even if the lid is open, but I do run it closed when I'm at my desk). The monitors work fine initially, but as soon as the machine goes to sleep, it stops sending a signal to the second monitor. Well… it’s more complicated than that. When the Mac wakes from sleep, the second monitor turns on for a second, then cuts out, turns on again (again, only for a second), and then cuts out for good. This doesn’t happen every time, just about 80% of the time. It’s totally maddening!

To fix it, I have to unplug and replug the dongle, open the MacBook, close the MacBook, and then the second monitor works again… until the computer goes to sleep again.

I’ve tried switching out the dongles, switching the monitors around, but it always happens on the "second" monitor, no matter which one it is. I even bought new monitors (Dell, if it matters), but the problem persists. For what it’s worth, this setup works perfectly with my 2020 Intel MacBook Pro. It’s worked fine for every MacBook I’ve had since 2012 when I started using them this way. Like I said, it’s driving me crazy.

Second issue – this one is more trivial. I use a gaming mouse, not just for gaming but for everyday use. I love having all the extra buttons; for example, I can map a mouse button to "8," and in a game, pressing that button triggers an action. What’s really handy is using modifier keys (Shift, Cmd, Alt, etc.) with the mouse buttons, which gives me quick access to multiple actions. For me, as a 40-something, this ability to use keys with both hands has kept gaming accessible and within my skillset. Take that away, and I just suck at gaming. I’ve played this way my whole life, and I just can’t hit the “chords” on one hand with the same accuracy when I need them. It makes me sad I can’t play games quite like I used to. (And it’s not just games.)

However, starting around macOS 2021–2022, the modifier keys stopped working with mouse buttons. I can press Shift on the keyboard, but no matter what, the mouse button only registers the default action and ignores the modifier key. For instance, on a Mac, Command + Shift + 4 takes a screenshot, and I used to easily hit two keys with one hand while using my mouse for the “4” with the other. This worked fine for 15+ years (plenty of time to ingrain that muscle memory), but it broke a few years ago.

I get that Apple doesn’t prioritize compatibility with non-Apple hardware, but I’m curious if anyone has experienced or solved these issues.

Discussion 6 comments · 1 points · dbg31415 · 2024-09-17
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