2018 MacBook Pros Have New 'Titan Ridge' Thunderbolt 3 Controller, But DisplayPort 1.4 Isn't Truly Supported

[Christoffee]

It’s such a complex world! One universal port, so many combinations of features. I remember when all this technology made sense to me. Now, I care less and just think “This just doesn’t work for me.” Not just USB-C, but all the annoyances in Windows, and Office365. Mostly not with my iPhone and macOS though. Technology is getting more annoying.

 

[redheeler]

We’ve stepped backwards in terms of usability. Now, even though all the ports and cables look the same you may or may not have the functionality.

This is not unlike the switch from single-link to dual-link DVI that happened in the mid 00's. Both used the same connector, but the latter could drive higher resolutions (such as the 30" 2560x1600 Apple Cinema Display). Some later PowerBook G4 models had dual-link, but most had single-link.

 

[lucasrant]

What makes you think Apple is going to begin making standalone displays again? I've seen no rumors to indicate that will happen.

They literally said they´d release a new monitor with the new mac pro next year.

 

[macintoshmac]

They literally said they´d release a new monitor with the new mac pro next year.

Might perhaps be in collaboration with LG only, once again. Let's see.

 

[theluggage]

This is not unlike the switch from single-link to dual-link DVI that happened in the mid 00's.

Connections have always evolved to support faster rates (DVI single->dual link, several generations of Ethernet, several generations of HDMI, USB 1,2,3, 3.1g2, 3.2 in the works...)

What we've had with USB-C, though, is the bundling of several unrelated functions - data i/o, display, power - and several competing protocols (USB 3.1 vs Thunderbolt, DisplayPort vs HDMI) into one port - and only in the case of Thunderbolt 3 (and, maybe, power - depending how you compare it) has that been accompanied by any increase in bandwidth/performance: USB 3 is no better over USB-C than it is over USB-A (even 10Gbps 3.1g2 supports USB-A connectors and cables). USB 3.2 will actually takes advantage of the USB-C cable, but it isn't here yet. DisplayPort 1.4 over USB-C is still the same DisplayPort 1.4 that you get over DisplayPort connectors - except now you need a dongle.

For phones and tablets, where there's only physical space for a single port, that may be useful - they'd already been using various incompatible standards to send power and video over MicroUSB (plus, the MicroUSB V3 connector was ridiculous) but its really not a great step forward for laptops and desktops. Anyway, I'd expect phones and tablets to go wireless-only within a few years. Oh, yes, and phones/tablets are the one place where Apple aren't going USB-C.

 

[pipis2010]

Kinda makes me wish they'd widen the gap between the "Pro" and the "Non-Pro" MacBooks. Make the MacBook/MacBook Air the super thin, light, inexpensive option, while the MacBook Pro is thicker, but with higher end GPUs, and better thermal limits.

Thinness is higher cost currently. Once the thin form factor becomes the norm, then prices will drop dramatically. But right now, thin/light=overpriced
[doublepost=1532105128][/doublepost]

It’s such a complex world! One universal port, so many combinations of features. I remember when all this technology made sense to me. Now, I care less and just think “This just doesn’t work for me.” Not just USB-C, but all the annoyances in Windows, and Office365. Mostly not with my iPhone and macOS though. Technology is getting more annoying.

Couldn’t agree more, you’d think that technology is supposed to work for people and be as simple as possible, and yet companies always try to find ways to complicate people with their new technologies/advancements. I miss the 90’s/00’s, i think it was a simpler time for many products in various industries/markets, not just computers...

 

[subjonas]

I originally didn’t care about 8k. 5k is good enough for my job (4k is not ideal, 8k is overkill) so I only wanted full 5k support. But it seems as though outside of the lg/Apple monitor and iMac, 5k is dead. It looks like 8k will be the successor to 4k. Again, 8k is a bit overkill, but if that is eventually going to be my only ideal option, and the 2018 mbp doesn’t support it, and I want a machine to last me for the long haul, I’m hesitant on purchasing one. Maybe I’ll stick it out with my current machine awhile longer. Though I imagine with an eGPU or a display with an iGPU, the 2018 mbp will be able to run 8k. Not sure if that’s the case, but if it is, while not ideal it may be good enough for my purposes. I have a bit more research/thinking to do.

 

[AppleZilla]

Might perhaps be in collaboration with LG only, once again. Let's see.

I wouldn't doubt that LG might make the screen, but Apple said that it would be Apple branded. I'm expecting the look of the iMac Pro, without the computer guts. I got the specially made for the new MBPs LG monitor (refurbished for a fraction of the the $). The screen is beautiful. The case isn't that bad. Generic matte black,without the icons and shiny bits that Dell or someone would put on it. But I'd rather have the Apple look.

 

[konqerror]

1. It can run at full potential without thermal issues

I don't expect Apple will ever heed this advice, however.

Go look at the PC world. They solved this problem... by not having any high-power options at all. The T/P line ThinkPads only have U series processors (1.9 GHz max), except for the highest end P52. Even then, it only comes with 2.6 GHz H-series i7. The highest end ThinkPad professional only matches the middle of Apple.

Can't change the laws of physics.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Given this finding, is there a disadvantage in buying the 13" model rather than the 15" model?

About a $1,000.00 savings
[doublepost=1532107864][/doublepost]

What makes you think Apple is going to begin making standalone displays again? I've seen no rumors to indicate that will happen.

Apple specifically stated they are making a stand alone display.

Does anyone know at what size of a screen 8K make sense? I think that’ll be Apple’s next display. 30 inch 8K.
[doublepost=1532107979][/doublepost]

I originally didn’t care about 8k. 5k is good enough for my job (4k is not ideal, 8k is overkill) so I only wanted full 5k support. But it seems as though outside of the lg/Apple monitor and iMac, 5k is dead. It looks like 8k will be the successor to 4k. Again, 8k is a bit overkill, but if that is eventually going to be my only ideal option, and the 2018 mbp doesn’t support it, and I want a machine to last me for the long haul, I’m hesitant on purchasing one. Maybe I’ll stick it out with my current machine awhile longer. Though I imagine with an eGPU or a display with an iGPU, the 2018 mbp will be able to run 8k. Not sure if that’s the case, but if it is, while not ideal it may be good enough for my purposes. I have a bit more research/thinking to do.

I think we’ll get 8K capable machines next year. I’d love to see 8K in person, but for me it’s not going to be worth the premium $$$$.
[doublepost=1532108052][/doublepost]

I wouldn't doubt that LG might make the screen, but Apple said that it would be Apple branded. I'm expecting the look of the iMac Pro, without the computer guts. I got the specially made for the new MBPs LG monitor (refurbished for a fraction of the the $). The screen is beautiful. The case isn't that bad. Generic matte black,without the icons and shiny bits that Dell or someone would put on it. But I'd rather have the Apple look.

Shrink the bezels on an iMac and then you’ll have a 30 inch, 8K new monitor.

 

[mdickson]

I purchased the new 15" MBP which apparently is DP 1.4.

It will not display on my Dell 2718D using the Type C connection, and the manual states the following:
Verify if the PC or Notebook USB Type C interface can support Alternate mode DP 1.2.

My 2017 13" MBP works perfectly with this monitor.

Is the new Titan Ridge Thunderbolt controller the reason why this is not working? Is DP 1.4 not backwards compatible with a DP 1.2 monitor?

Any other ideas?

 

[Glockworkorange]

I purchased the new 15" MBP which apparently is DP 1.4.

It will not display on my Dell 2718D using the Type C connection, and the manual states the following:
Verify if the PC or Notebook USB Type C interface can support Alternate mode DP 1.2.

My 2017 13" MBP works perfectly with this monitor.

Is the new Titan Ridge Thunderbolt controller the reason why this is not working? Is DP 1.4 not backwards compatible with a DP 1.2 monitor?

Any other ideas?

Yes. DisplayPort to TB 3.

 

[Jethro!]

Cool. Too bad pretty much the rest of it sucks.

 

[Flyc17]

I went into the Apple Store in Anchorage yesterday to buy the 2018 MacBook Pro 13". I was committed to the purchase way before I walked in the door. But a casual glance at the ports on the MacBook caused a pivotal revelation. The ports on their flagship line are only Thunderbolt 3. And NOTHING else. This is unbelievably shortsighted to the point that I'm certain Apple has lost its way. There are ZERO compatible ports on this new machine. I can't plug my iPhone into it, I can't plug my thumb drive into it, I can't plug a peripheral into it, I can't plug anything but the power cord into it. Really? This is the FLAGSHIP? I need to carry an external dongle to plug anything into my flagship Apple? That's ridiculous! I didn't buy the MacBook. Apple has lost their way. I've made the decision this morning to give up on Apple. I just ordered a new Microsoft Surface Pro a few minutes before writing this. Too bad Apple, you're your own worst enemy.

 

[mdickson]

Yes. DisplayPort to TB 3.

The monitor only has Type C and HDMI connections, and I am trying to use a Type C to Type C cable. This works with the 2017 MBP.

Any way for this to work with the 2018 15"?

 

[BWhaler]

And the hits keep coming.

And least it’s thinner....

 

[NT1440]

Might perhaps be in collaboration with LG only, once again. Let's see.

No they were pretty clear it would be an Apple display, but we’ll have to see.
[doublepost=1532109879][/doublepost]

And the hits keep coming.

And least it’s thinner....

What? From my understanding every model of MBP has better display connectivity than before. How is it a hit to not be able to handle a configuration that isn’t even available on the market today?

 

[Tech198]

It’s such a complex world! One universal port, so many combinations of features. I remember when all this technology made sense to me. Now, I care less and just think “This just doesn’t work for me.” Not just USB-C, but all the annoyances in Windows, and Office365. Mostly not with my iPhone and macOS though. Technology is getting more annoying.

Its getting to be like a car,,,,, computers used to be, you just walked into a shop, asked for the best model ya got, and walked out in 10 minutes..

Now customer gotta know all these questions (sometimes in advance) to ask. otherwise, "prepare to be disappointed"

Now, where is my Amiga 500

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

Wow...the 2018 Throttlebook Pro is turning out to be a fantastic upgrade over the controversial 2016/2017 Macbook Pro.

 

[repoman27]

Despite having a Titan Ridge controller for Displayport 1.4, I'm not aware of a single USB-C/Thunderbolt adapter that outputs HDMI 2.0b (with support HDR), other than an overpriced aJa product - https://www.aja.com/products/io-4k

I don't get it, Thunderbolt 3 can easily output the necessary bandwidth to support HDR - where are the adapters to support HDMI 2.0b?

AFAIK, this is because DisplayPort 1.4 implements the CTA 861.3 standard for HDR, not the CTA 861-G standard which includes HLG. HLG is pretty much the marquee feature of HDMI 2.0b, so thus no DP 1.4 to HDMI 2.0b adapters exist.

That being said, I highly recommend trying this one from Accell. I can drive my 4K TV at 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz, 10 bpc no problem from my 2016 MBP. Unlike other adapters that I've tried, this one "just works", every time.

I haven't confirmed yet whether it can successfully pass HDCP 2.2. However, I'm pretty sure it's based on the Parade PS176, so it should be able to. The spec sheet for the Accell U187B-005B only states HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 1.3, but it also hasn't been updated in 3 years.
[doublepost=1532112218][/doublepost]And I just wanted to point out that the title of this article is ridiculous (as usual), because DP 1.4 is "really supported" on the 15-inch, but not at all on the 13-inch due to the Intel GPU on those models.

Unless the takeaway is supposed to be that DP 1.4 isn't really supported on the 15-inch either because no displays with DP 1.4 inputs exist yet?

 

[ivan86]

I went into the Apple Store in Anchorage yesterday to buy the 2018 MacBook Pro 13". I was committed to the purchase way before I walked in the door. But a casual glance at the ports on the MacBook caused a pivotal revelation. The ports on their flagship line are only Thunderbolt 3. And NOTHING else. This is unbelievably shortsighted to the point that I'm certain Apple has lost its way. There are ZERO compatible ports on this new machine. I can't plug my iPhone into it, I can't plug my thumb drive into it, I can't plug a peripheral into it, I can't plug anything but the power cord into it. Really? This is the FLAGSHIP? I need to carry an external dongle to plug anything into my flagship Apple? That's ridiculous! I didn't buy the MacBook. Apple has lost their way. I've made the decision this morning to give up on Apple. I just ordered a new Microsoft Surface Pro a few minutes before writing this. Too bad Apple, you're your own worst enemy.

Under a rock since 2016 living detected

It seems like Apples approach for a while is to provide best possible docking experience. It might not be for everybody and for sure is not the cheapest way to go, but potential convenience and feature set are nowhere else to be seen. I work from several locations and at one of them I use Caldigit TS3 Plus dock, to which LG 5K is connected. That setup gives me all the connections I ever want on my desk, together with wired ethernet, charging and best ever external display experience to date. Will be testing how it plays with Blackmagic eGPU inbetween the devices soon. In my eyes this is the future of an ultimate single computer that is amazing for travel and remote work and that can be transfered into the whole recording studio or the center of your labratory in matter of seconds. I am speaking of 2018 MacBook Pro 13, which can be configured with the fastest 28W quad core CPU available today (i7-8559U) with the best Intel integrated graphics and adequate cooling. Top it up with great display, speakers, amazing SSD performance and macOS... If this is not a Pro machine - I am not sure what is.

This is not for everybody, for sure, just like a 17” gaming notebook / Lenovo workstation, or a tablet, or even a smartphone.

Speaking of the shortcomings of only USB C ports - it is really not as scary or expensive as many people think or make it look like. A 64 GB SanDisk Ultra Dual flash stick (with both USB A and USB C ports) is like $20-25, a simple small USB C to USB A adapter can be bought for like $5. These two pretty much cover my needs 85% of the time I work remotely somewhere. Once in a while I take with me a USB C dongle with ethernet, USB A, HDMI and VGA ports (around $50). Thats it. I have a portable card reader ($15) for SD and microSD cards with USB C / A connections but that one is sitting in the shelf (ending up transfering photos either through WiFi or through card reader integrated in Thunderbolt docks...)

Do I miss any of the ports that were in my 2013 MacBook Pro 15? Not even MagSafe, which I loved so much. When the notebook is docked (which is like 85% of the time I use it) - it is charging. If I pick it up for some quick work - there is always enough battery juice. I only charge it not docked when I work from some remote location and it is either on my lap or table infront of me.

Looking forward for arrival of a maxed out 2018 13” model. One ultimate portable computer for work, hobby (music production) and frequent travel. That 2TB drive will fit all the VMs, sample libraries, plugins and music with ease. Crazy expensive, but it fits my workflow 100%, thus a very good value at the same time.

 

[Huddy]

I went into the Apple Store in Anchorage yesterday to buy the 2018 MacBook Pro 13". I was committed to the purchase way before I walked in the door. But a casual glance at the ports on the MacBook caused a pivotal revelation. The ports on their flagship line are only Thunderbolt 3. And NOTHING else. This is unbelievably shortsighted to the point that I'm certain Apple has lost its way. There are ZERO compatible ports on this new machine. I can't plug my iPhone into it, I can't plug my thumb drive into it, I can't plug a peripheral into it, I can't plug anything but the power cord into it. Really? This is the FLAGSHIP? I need to carry an external dongle to plug anything into my flagship Apple? That's ridiculous! I didn't buy the MacBook. Apple has lost their way. I've made the decision this morning to give up on Apple. I just ordered a new Microsoft Surface Pro a few minutes before writing this. Too bad Apple, you're your own worst enemy.

You only just discovered this, where have you been for the last 2 years? For someone with a passing interest in Apple products (you're posting here) I find it hard to believe you didn't already know this.

2 years ago people clearly had something to be annoyed about, but now USB-C is fast becoming the dominant connection for devices and these four TB3 ports on the Macbook Pro series are really beginning to shine.

 

[icanhazapple]

AFAIK, this is because DisplayPort 1.4 implements the CTA 861.3 standard for HDR, not the CTA 861-G standard which includes HLG. HLG is pretty much the marquee feature of HDMI 2.0b, so thus no DP 1.4 to HDMI 2.0b adapters exist.

That being said, I highly recommend trying this one from Accell. I can drive my 4K TV at 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz, 10 bpc no problem from my 2016 MBP. Unlike other adapters that I've tried, this one "just works", every time.

I haven't confirmed yet whether it can successfully pass HDCP 2.2. However, I'm pretty sure it's based on the Parade PS176, so it should be able to. The spec sheet for the Accell U187B-005B only states HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 1.3, but it also hasn't been updated in 3 years.
[doublepost=1532112218][/doublepost]And I just wanted to point out that the title of this article is ridiculous (as usual), because DP 1.4 is "really supported" on the 15-inch, but not at all on the 13-inch due to the Intel GPU on those models.

Unless the takeaway is supposed to be that DP 1.4 isn't really supported on the 15-inch either because no displays with DP 1.4 inputs exist yet?

Wow, one of the best responses I've seen on MR in years - thank you! I will try this out.

 

[Wags]

Simple question, maybe?
Is the 13 lacking if just wanting a single external display?

 

[TimmeyCook]

It’s such a complex world! One universal port, so many combinations of features. I remember when all this technology made sense to me. Now, I care less and just think “This just doesn’t work for me.” Not just USB-C, but all the annoyances in Windows, and Office365. Mostly not with my iPhone and macOS though. Technology is getting more annoying.

It's not anymore complex than other things like the old DisplayPort port, or HDMI ports and cables.

There's also various versions of the DisplayPort and HDMI you have to figure out from the hardware you buy, and in the case of HDMI, there's even different cables, but the connectors stay the same!