By using the 'Color' tab of the Displays preference pane, you can manage or create color profiles that ensure your display is showing the correct color. Color profiles ensure that the red you see on your screen will be the same red you see from color-profile-controlled printers or other display devices.
Display Profiles
Your Mac automatically attempts to use the correct color profile. Apple and display manufacturers work together to create ICC (International Color Consortium) color profiles for many popular monitors. When your Mac detects that a specific manufacturer's monitor is attached, it will check to see if there is an available color profile to use. If no manufacturer-specific color profile is available, your Mac will use one of the generic profiles instead. Most monitor manufacturers include color profiles on an install CD or their web site. So be sure to check the install CD or the manufacturer's web site if your Mac only finds a generic profile.
Display All Color Profiles
The list of color profiles is limited by default to those that match the monitor attached to your Mac. If the list only shows generic versions, try clicking the 'Detect Displays' button to make your Mac re-scan the attached monitor(s). With any luck, this will allow a more accurate color profile to be automatically selected.
You can also try removing the check mark from 'Show profiles for this display only.' This will cause all of the installed color profiles to be listed, and allow you to make the selection. Be warned, though, that picking the wrong profile can make your display's images look nightmarishly bad.
Creating Color Profiles
Apple includes a built-in color calibration routine you can use to create new color profiles or modify existing ones. This is a simple visual calibration that can be used by anyone; no special equipment is required.
To run the Apple Calibration Assistant, click the 'Calibrate' button, and follow the onscreen prompts.
