4k HD monitor usable in the short term with a late 2011 17" Macbook Pro?

[Pranky]

I have a late 2011 MBP 17" 8GB RAM, 2.5 GHz i7, Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB. I need an external monitor right now. I plan to buy the next generation MBP once they come out, top shelf version and upgrade the RAM. I need to know if I can use a 4k monitor in the interim.

I am looking at this:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-28-In...ywords=samsung+4k&tag=9to5g-20&qid=1402589543

In the future, I know I will be able to enjoy full super-HD. In the meantime, until I buy the new MBP, I need a monitor that works reasonably well. I do not need 4k resolution now, I just need a working external monitor. So I'm willing to change resolution, deal with some lag in the meantime. I want to order this online, and want to know for sure if it will work with my laptop.

Stuff I've read online is tech jargon or specific issues I'm not fully grasping. Some articles are about forcing older machines to support 4k. I don't want to do that. I want:

1. to order a 4k monitor NOW, that I will use in the meantime at sub-optimum resolution. But it NEEDS to work.

2. Use the same monitor later in the year after I buy a new top of the line MBP, and make use of the full HD resolution capability.

I'd be willing to consider other monitors, but I want a good quality for less than $1000. I am a self employed designer, so I need to make a decision soon. Can anyone help me out here? Thanks.

 

[venom600]

I am a self employed designer, so I need to make a decision soon. Can anyone help me out here? Thanks.

Honestly, having the same computer as you do you could probably get it to work, either at a lower resolution or at 30hz using some hacking. However, since you are a designer, I'd probably recommend something else. We bought a couple of those displays at work and the image quality (especially colors) is subpar for serious work. The guys we bought them for ended up going back to Cinema Displays. Were I you, I'd probably opt for the highest quality IPS display I can find with 2560x1440 or 1600 resolution.

 

[zhenya]

Your graphics card will be the limitation.

https://communities.intel.com/thread/57566

What I can't say is if you'll still be able to run it at reduced resolution. I would expect you could.

Also, don't buy that Samsung. Buy the Dell p2715q for about the same price - IPS panel and much better color/viewing angles. We have both here.

 

[Pranky]

Update:

I cannot get any picture at all through the mini display to display cable. Zilch.

The mini to HDMI is OK, not great. Pictures and photoshop look great, internet looks lousy. Ghosting around things, and "smearing" when I scroll.

My brother has a RMBP 2014 and he's going to bring it by so I can see what it really can do. Thanks all. Will update again.

 

[bits]

I just write about P2715Q and MBP 2011 early 15". I have 2x GPU and don't know if it will work with your MBP, you have to check that. Maybe go with your MBP to some small store to try it?

If you want it only for 2-3 months, should be ok with 2560x1440 @60 Hz, but I didn't recommend TN panel.

My full post:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/20868724/