How to Calibrate a Monitor for an iMac

Different users can specify their own calibrations on the same iMac.

With screen sizes of 21.5 and 27 inches to choose from, and resolutions of up to 2560 by 1440 pixels, iMacs offer a good choice of high-quality displays that should suit most people. Everyone has different preferences and needs in a display, though, including contrast, brightness and color levels. Apple has included a tool to calibrate your monitor to an ideal setting, and it only takes a few minutes to set up. Once you have done it once, your calibration settings are used every time you log on.

Instructions

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your iMac's screen and select "System Preferences."

2. Click the "Displays" icon in the "Hardware" section.

3. Click the "Color" tab at the top of the panel, then click "Calibrate..."

4. Tick the "Expert Mode" check box, and click "Continue" to start the calibration process.

5. Drag the slider in the left-hand box up or down until the brightness of the background of the middle box matches the brightness of the Apple logo inside it. Drag the slider in the right-hand box around until the background shade of the middle box matches the Apple logo inside it, then click "Continue."

6. Repeat Step 5 four times for the next four "Native Gamma" options.

7. Drag the arrow up or down the slider in the "Target Gamma" screen to adjust the contrast of your monitor, and click "Continue."

8. Select one of the four "white points" based on which one is more comfortable to look at, and click "Continue."

9. Type a name for your calibration in the "Name" screen, and click "Continue."

10. Click "Done" to finish your calibration and apply your new settings.

References

• Apple: iMac
• Apple: Mac OS X v10.6: About Gamma 2.2