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Macbook Air with 4k Display?

T

tears2040

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 27, 2010
401
1
I currently have a 2012 top of the line iMac which I am considering selling. I may be buying a Macbook Air with a 4k display if it is supported?

Also I may build a custom PC for certain coloring programs like Davincci Resolve as to my understanding it does not work with Macbook Air?



Any Final Cut users here, how does Macbook Air work on the system...

Thanks for replies
Peace
 
skaertus

skaertus

macrumors 601
Feb 23, 2009
4,232
1,380
Brazil
tears2040 said:
I currently have a 2012 top of the line iMac which I am considering selling. I may be buying a Macbook Air with a 4k display if it is supported?

Also I may build a custom PC for certain coloring programs like Davincci Resolve as to my understanding it does not work with Macbook Air?



Any Final Cut users here, how does Macbook Air work on the system...

Thanks for replies
Peace
Click to expand...

Take a look at the MacBook Air specs at Apple's website: http://www.apple.com/macbook-air/specs.html

According to the site, the MacBook Air supports up to 2560x1600 on an external display. It should be able to support higher resolutions, though (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1681560/). You may try that, but then you will be on your own. 2560x1600 is the highest resolution officially supported for an external display on the Air.

You may opt for a retina MacBook Pro instead. Even the 13-inch model supports 3840x2160 on HDMI, but you will be limited to 30Hz (instead of 60Hz): http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/. I think you can run a 3840x2160 monitor using the Thunderbolt 2 port at 60Hz on a retina MacBook Pro (http://alex4d.com/notes/item/macbook-pros-run-4k-display-at-60hz).

It is important to note that some resolutions may only be reached with specific cables (i.e., Thunderbolt/Mini Display Port) and, therefore, you must be sure that the monitor has this particular port (an adaptor probably will not work for this purpose).

You should also note that there are some cheap 3840x2160 being sold now. Take a good look at the monitor before buying it, because some of them (usually the cheaper ones) are TN and limited to 30Hz at 3840x2160. If such is the case, it may be more worth it to buy a 2560x1440 IPS monitor instead, as it has a higher quality (despite the resolution being lower).
 
Moonjumper

Moonjumper

macrumors 68030
Jun 20, 2009
2,740
2,908
Lincoln, UK
Good advice from skaetus, but some of it looks as if it will be out of date very soon.

Mavericks apparently includes support for 4K at 60Hz on the retina MacBook Pro in the upcoming 10.9.3 update.

The TN 4K monitors he mentions are usually 28". Reviews say they are surprisingly good for TN, far in excess of what you would expect. Note that the 60Hz 4K on these screens is only with DisplayPort, not HDMI. And some models don't even do that. I would be considering one of these if I had the money, but would want to check one out physically first.
 
skaertus

skaertus

macrumors 601
Feb 23, 2009
4,232
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Moonjumper said:
Good advice from skaetus, but some of it looks as if it will be out of date very soon.

Mavericks apparently includes support for 4K at 60Hz on the retina MacBook Pro in the upcoming 10.9.3 update.

The TN 4K monitors he mentions are usually 28". Reviews say they are surprisingly good for TN, far in excess of what you would expect. Note that the 60Hz 4K on these screens is only with DisplayPort, not HDMI. And some models don't even do that. I would be considering one of these if I had the money, but would want to check one out physically first.
Click to expand...

I would not call my advice "out of date very soon" right now. I have seen reports of OS X 10.9.3 supporting 3840x2160 at 60Hz. However, I could not find any information on how this resolution will be supported at this refresh rate. Will it be supported with HDMI or Thunderbolt, or both? This information is important for those wishing to buy a new monitor. So, I would wait for the 10.9.3 release and for further information prior to buying anything.

I have not seen any of these monitors in person and I cannot tell how good they are. However, I have seen some mixed consumer reviews.

The first to be released was this Dell, as far as I am aware of: http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Monitor...UTF8&qid=1399658266&sr=8-1&keywords=3840x2160. A bargain for US$ 600.

There is also this Samsung monitor selling for less than US$ 700: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-28-In...UTF8&qid=1399658266&sr=8-2&keywords=3840x2160.

There are additional 28-inch 4k monitors in the pipeline, including offers from Asus and Lenovo. They all appear to use the same panel.

I have not yet seen expert reviews about these monitors, but I found this: http://www.tested.com/tech/pcs/459878-dude-dont-get-dell-4k-monitor/

Not very encouraging, huh?

There are, of course, some great 4k monitors, but they are expensive. The 24-inch from Dell (http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Computer...UTF8&qid=1399658266&sr=8-3&keywords=3840x2160) is IPS and looks better or, if you want something bigger, you may go with the 31.5-inch (http://www.amazon.com/Dell-UP3214Q-...UTF8&qid=1399658266&sr=8-5&keywords=3840x2160).

In any case, you should always check the ports and the possibility of the specific monitor you choose displaying 4k at 60Hz. A 30Hz refresh rate may feel like a downgrade from your iMac.

And note that these 28-inch TN monitors are also inferior to the monitor in the iMac, which is an IPS screen.
 
Moonjumper

Moonjumper

macrumors 68030
Jun 20, 2009
2,740
2,908
Lincoln, UK
skaertus said:
I would not call my advice "out of date very soon" right now. I have seen reports of OS X 10.9.3 supporting 3840x2160 at 60Hz. However, I could not find any information on how this resolution will be supported at this refresh rate. Will it be supported with HDMI or Thunderbolt, or both? This information is important for those wishing to buy a new monitor. So, I would wait for the 10.9.3 release and for further information prior to buying anything.

I have not seen any of these monitors in person and I cannot tell how good they are. However, I have seen some mixed consumer reviews.

The first to be released was this Dell, as far as I am aware of: http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Monitor...UTF8&qid=1399658266&sr=8-1&keywords=3840x2160. A bargain for US$ 600.

There is also this Samsung monitor selling for less than US$ 700: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-28-In...UTF8&qid=1399658266&sr=8-2&keywords=3840x2160.

There are additional 28-inch 4k monitors in the pipeline, including offers from Asus and Lenovo. They all appear to use the same panel.

I have not yet seen expert reviews about these monitors, but I found this: http://www.tested.com/tech/pcs/459878-dude-dont-get-dell-4k-monitor/

Not very encouraging, huh?

There are, of course, some great 4k monitors, but they are expensive. The 24-inch from Dell (http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Computer...UTF8&qid=1399658266&sr=8-3&keywords=3840x2160) is IPS and looks better or, if you want something bigger, you may go with the 31.5-inch (http://www.amazon.com/Dell-UP3214Q-...UTF8&qid=1399658266&sr=8-5&keywords=3840x2160).

In any case, you should always check the ports and the possibility of the specific monitor you choose displaying 4k at 60Hz. A 30Hz refresh rate may feel like a downgrade from your iMac.

And note that these 28-inch TN monitors are also inferior to the monitor in the iMac, which is an IPS screen.
Click to expand...

The 28" Dell is 30Hz only, so can be discounted before going any further. The Samsung bad reviews are not about image quality, mostly problems getting it to work properly with their Windows set-up.

And the other link is all about how bad TN is, without any experience of these particular panels.

Here is an eyes-on of the Philips 28": http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc...8p-ultra-hd-4k-28-inch-monitor-1213584/review

We were a bit shocked when a Philips PR rep told us the monitor was a TN panel.
Click to expand...

I have seen several other reports that were very positive about the quality for a TN panel in various 28" 4K monitors. They likely won't be a match for a good IPS panel, but it seems they will be a lot closer than you would expect.

It is up to the individual to decide if the large difference in cost is worth putting up with the difference in quality. I wouldn't normally consider TN, but these don't seem to be the same. As I said, I think it best to see one in person before committing.
 
skaertus

skaertus

macrumors 601
Feb 23, 2009
4,232
1,380
Brazil
Moonjumper said:
The 28" Dell is 30Hz only, so can be discounted before going any further. The Samsung bad reviews are not about image quality, mostly problems getting it to work properly with their Windows set-up.

And the other link is all about how bad TN is, without any experience of these particular panels.

Here is an eyes-on of the Philips 28": http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc...8p-ultra-hd-4k-28-inch-monitor-1213584/review



I have seen several other reports that were very positive about the quality for a TN panel in various 28" 4K monitors. They likely won't be a match for a good IPS panel, but it seems they will be a lot closer than you would expect.

It is up to the individual to decide if the large difference in cost is worth putting up with the difference in quality. I wouldn't normally consider TN, but these don't seem to be the same. As I said, I think it best to see one in person before committing.
Click to expand...

If I were considering buying one, I would definitely look at monitor in person before deciding. There are some reviews saying that these TN monitors are much better than the average TN monitor, but I am yet to see one.

Given that the OP is coming from an iMac, which has a 27-inch LG IPS panel, I would suggest taking a good look at the display in person before buying.
 
T

tears2040

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 27, 2010
401
1
skaertus said:
If I were considering buying one, I would definitely look at monitor in person before deciding. There are some reviews saying that these TN monitors are much better than the average TN monitor, but I am yet to see one.

Given that the OP is coming from an iMac, which has a 27-inch LG IPS panel, I would suggest taking a good look at the display in person before buying.
Click to expand...

Any experience with the Seiki 4k display, it seems to have 30hz refresh rate as well but some people seem to like it? Also I would not be playing any games on this monitor and solely use it for Display of Video purposes since I work Shooting and Editing Video Files from several 4k Cameras.... Thanks

http://www.amazon.com/Seiki-SE39UY04-39-Inch-Ultra-120Hz/dp/B00DOPGO2G
 
skaertus

skaertus

macrumors 601
Feb 23, 2009
4,232
1,380
Brazil
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