4K vs 1440p Monitor for 2014 rMBP

[Hurley82989]

Hi everyone,

I know the 2014 13 inch rMBP officially only supports 4K at 30 Hz. From everything I've read on these forums, that refresh rate is unbearable. However, I also know that there's a hack you can use with SwitchResX to get 4K screens running at 51-52 Hz using a 2014 13 inch rMBP.

Given the hack with SwitchResX, do you think it's better to cobble together a 4K monitor and a 2014 rMBP or purchase a 2560 x 1440 monitor which it can run natively (no HiDPI) instead. I'm curious to hear people's experience with their set-ups; specifically how smooth and bug-free each option (particularly the 4K) is.

Thanks!

 

[inhalexhale1]

Hi everyone,

I know the 2014 rMBP officially only supports 4K at 30 Hz. From everything I've read on these forums, that refresh rate is unbearable. However, I also know that there's a hack you can use with SwitchResX to get 4K screens running at 51-52 Hz using a 2014 rMBP.

Given the hack with SwitchResX, do you think it's better to cobble together a 4K monitor and a 2014 rMBP or purchase a 2560 x 1440 monitor which it can run natively (no HiDPI) instead. I'm curious to hear people's experience with their set-ups; specifically how smooth and bug-free each option (particularly the 4K) is.

Thanks!

Would you be happy with 4k, in high dpi mode at 1080p? Also, I thought you could run the 4k display at 60Hz with the right setup/cable, at least with the dell monitors.

 

[JTToft]

If you're speaking of the 15" 2014 rMBP (you didn't specify size), that machine officially supports SST 4K at 60Hz with OS X 10.10.3. And also via MST.

No need for any hacks.

 

[campyguy]

Late-2013 15" rMBP with discrete 750M, running two Dell P2714 displays up to 4k @ 60Hz with 10.10.3. No hacks, very happy owner now.

 

[Hurley82989]

Late-2013 15" rMBP with discrete 750M, running two Dell P2714 displays up to 4k @ 60Hz with 10.10.3. No hacks, very happy owner now.

Sorry guys. I should have clarified. I'm trying to put it in the title but I don't think I can change that now. I have the 13 inch 2014 rMBP.

 

[spaceballl]

Honestly, my recommendation right now is to just go 1440P. We will soon have more elegant solutions for running things like 5K displays at 60hz. Let's just wait and see how this whole USB Type-C / Thunderbolt 3 / New MacBook Pro scenario shakes out. In the mean time, I got a Dell U2715H. It's 1440P, better picture quality / thinner bezel than the Apple Display, and you can get it for $550 with free shipping. I plan on selling it eventually once I can find a "perfect" easy solution for a 5K+ screen.

 

[tomnavratil]

You can actually get 4K @ 52Hz for your 13" 2014 rMPB, there's a whole thread about it on the forum - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1741440/. However you need to use Thunderbolt cable and not HDMI. I haven't used it myself so I can only give you the link to the thread, hope it helps .