Can your MacBook
go brighter?
Check your exact model for XDR brightness headroom, published display limits and Solis support. No signup. No serial number.
Or choose the model shown in About This Mac:
- Published SDR brightness
- Sustained XDR / HDR
- Peak XDR / HDR
These are published panel specifications, not a measurement of your screen or a promise of continuous peak brightness. “Not listed” means the database has no unambiguous value.
3-day trial · macOS 13 or later · $9.99 once if you keep it
Link to this result →That model is not in this lookup yet.
This does not mean your Mac is unsupported. Check the Model Identifier, choose a model above, or use the guide below. For a Mac mini, Mac Studio or Mac Pro, choose your external display instead.
Database updated September 1, 2026 · 43 Mac models and 5 Apple displays. Lookup runs in your browser. We count result categories and download/checkout clicks using our website analytics; raw input is never sent. Privacy
Try these free checks first
- Raise brightness in System Settings → Displays. Check that a reference preset is not restricting brightness.
- On supported recent MacBook Pros, try Automatically adjust brightness in bright surroundings. Apple lists up to 1000 nits outdoors on M4 models.
- If the display is unusually dim or shows a brightness warning, let the Mac cool. Apple explains XDR brightness limits.
- If glare is still the problem, change the screen angle or find shade. An app cannot add XDR headroom to a non-XDR panel.
For the full troubleshooting flow, read why your MacBook Pro screen is dim in sunlight.
Which Macs have XDR brightness headroom?
The 14″ and 16″ Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models introduced from 2021 have Liquid Retina XDR displays. Apple rates these panels for 1000 nits sustained full-screen HDR and 1600 nits peak HDR. See Apple’s 2021 specifications. Solis uses that headroom for managed brightness control; actual delivery remains subject to macOS and panel limits.
MacBook Air, 13″ MacBook Pro, MacBook Neo, iMac and the standard Studio Display have no XDR boost headroom. Pro Display XDR and Studio Display XDR are different external displays; choose the exact display above and check the host requirements in the result.
Common questions
Can a browser measure my display’s nits?
No. This tool looks up published specifications from a model you choose. It does not measure your panel, detect your exact hardware or change brightness.
Can I make a MacBook Air brighter than its maximum?
An app cannot unlock XDR headroom that the panel does not have. Solis’s extra dimming and color tools can still be useful, but they do not increase the Air’s physical maximum.
Does 1600 nits mean constant full-screen brightness?
No. Peak and sustained ratings are different. Temperature, power, screen content and macOS limits affect what the panel can deliver. Try Solis on your own Mac before buying.
What happens after I download the trial?
Open Solis.dmg on your Mac, drag Solis to Applications, then launch it. Try the brightness control in your normal workspace. The trial lasts three days; a $9.99 one-time license unlocks continued use.
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