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4K Monitor for Late 2013 MBP

A

Azeroth1

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 20, 2010
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instead if buying a new iMac I am going to cheap out and get some more life from my 2013 MBP. I am doing photo and video editing (amateur).

Would like a 4K monitor that is plug and play and suites to these tasks. Considering
p2715q as an option but would like some recommendations. I am mainly asking from a capability perspective too as I’m not sure what is or isn’t compatible with my older machine of the most current options. 27”
or higher screen size. Please advise.

Thanks
 
Azeroth1 said:
instead if buying a new iMac I am going to cheap out and get some more life from my 2013 MBP. I am doing photo and video editing (amateur).

Would like a 4K monitor that is plug and play and suites to these tasks. Considering
p2715q as an option but would like some recommendations. I am mainly asking from a capability perspective too as I’m not sure what is or isn’t compatible with my older machine of the most current options. 27”
or higher screen size. Please advise.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Do you own the 13" or 15" late 2013 MacBook Pro? That will make all the difference... while both will run the display, the Intel Iris 5100 graphics in the 13" inch model will top out at a refresh rate of 30Hz (monitor refreshes 30 times per second), which is half what is considered "normal" (60Hz). The 15" model on the other hand will handle 4k at 60Hz just fine. That is true of either the base 15" which had Intel Iris Pro 5200 on package graphics or the higher-end model with the dedicated Geforce GT 750M GPU.

Bottom line... if you have a 15" inch (regardless of specs) from late 2013, then you are all set. If you have the 13" inch late 2013 model, it will be much more difficult on your eyes to work with a 4k monitor given the slow refresh rate.
 
I have the 15 inch with the 750m dedicated.

That being said, any specific recommended models of note? Thank you!
 
Azeroth1 said:
I have the 15 inch with the 750m dedicated.

That being said, any specific recommended models of note? Thank you!
Click to expand...
I think the Dell you mentioned (P2715Q) is a good choice from a cost-to-performance standpoint. I currently use a Dell P2415Q (same monitor at 24") and it's been great for the past year. My mid-2014 15" Pro (750M) - basically the same machine as yours - ran the monitor very well. I use it now with my 2017 Pro - works great.
 
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Thanks again. One last question - the other option I’m considering is a PD3200U. Any reason that would be an issue hardware wise?
 
Azeroth1 said:
Thanks again. One last question - the other option I’m considering is a PD3200U. Any reason that would be an issue hardware wise?
Click to expand...
I don't see any reason it wouldn't work... as long as it supports DisplayPort input, you should be good to go. All you'll need is a mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable or adapter.
 
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Patcell said:
I think the Dell you mentioned (P2715Q) is a good choice from a cost-to-performance standpoint. I currently use a Dell P2415Q (same monitor at 24") and it's been great for the past year. My mid-2014 15" Pro (750M) - basically the same machine as yours - ran the monitor very well. I use it now with my 2017 Pro - works great.
Click to expand...

I agree with Pat! The P2415Q/P2715Q are great monitors, IMO. Customers who buy them whom I have spoken with speak very highly of the performance, build quality, and value. Out-of-the-box image quality on display models is great, the stand is awesome in its flexibility, and the pricing is really aggressive considering the 24-inch size can be found for as little as $300.
 
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Patcell said:
4K displays are not supported on the late 2013 13” Pro. It is not a bug necessarily... the Intel Iris 5100 cannot output 3840x2160 at 60Hz.
Click to expand...

I don't mind it to run at 30Hz. I code with it, not game or video edit or something. So it's okay.

Problem is it's refusal to do 1440 HiDPI. Actually I was able to get it to do 1440 HiPDI, but only if I rotate my monitor 90 degrees @@
 
BiscottiGelato said:
I don't mind it to run at 30Hz. I code with it, not game or video edit or something. So it's okay.

Problem is it's refusal to do 1440 HiDPI. Actually I was able to get it to do 1440 HiPDI, but only if I rotate my monitor 90 degrees @@
Click to expand...
Oh okay... I’m not sure about that. I know it will do 1080 HiDPI at 30Hz, but 1440 HiDPI may be too much for it. In that setting, the GPU renders the desktop at 2X (5120x2880) and downsamples to 2560x1440. Not sure if the Iris 5100 can handle that many pixels.
 
Patcell said:
Oh okay... I’m not sure about that. I know it will do 1080 HiDPI at 30Hz, but 1440 HiDPI may be too much for it. In that setting, the GPU renders the desktop at 2X (5120x2880) and downsamples to 2560x1440. Not sure if the Iris 5100 can handle that many pixels.
Click to expand...

It's willing to do it if i rotate 90 degrees.... Argh. I hope High Sierra fixes this.
 
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