Dell P2415Q and new 16" MBP

[higgalls]

Hey,

I currently have a 2013 15" MacBook pro. At both Home and Work I have a P2415Q 4K Monitor. I connect the monitor to the MBP via the Thunderbolt/MiniDisplay port, which works great getting 4K @ 60Hz.

Now, I am considering buying a new 16" MBP, but I have read that there are issues with connecting the Dell P2415Q monitor to prior MBP's with Thunderbolt 3/USB Type-C connections. Some have said that with the only way they have gotten it to work is to use the Moshi USB-C to DP cable (see here: https://www.dell.com/community/Monitors/P2415Q-2018-Apple-MBP-Thunderbolt-3-USB-Type-C/td-p/6122029)

Any idea why only this cable would work, and not other cables/adapters?
Does anyone have any experience with the new 2019 16" MBP? Would you expect the same result? I don't particularly want to be replacing my monitors which are great (and one of them only a few months old).

Thanks.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Stephen.R]

Huh? Can you point to these "issues"?

 

[higgalls]

Huh? Can you point to these "issues"?

It is mentioned on the link I provided:

"The newest Thunderbolt 3/USB Type-C/USB 3.1 Apple out ports are not supported by our monitor cables, even with adapters. The Dell cables only work with the older Thunderbolt 1 and 2 out ports. On the newer Apple, other Apple users stated on their Forum that you have to purchase a specific Thunderbolt 3/USB-C/USB3.1 to DP adapter and a DP to DP cable."

The forums I have been reading about it is saying things from, "the monitor isn't compatible", to vague comments saying it doesn't work, and other comments about it only supporting 4K @ 30Hz. However some people have had success with certain cables, but not all cables seem to work. As mentioned previously, the only cable that seems to reliably work is the Moshi USB-C to DP cable. But my question is, why would that cable, in particular, work, and many others not?

 

[Stephen.R]

I use that exact monitor with a 2018 MBP15 via a generic brand USB-C to DP cable and it works fine.

I also use two of them with a 2018 Mac mini via a TB3 to Dual DP adapter and the factory Dell DP cables, without issue.

I can’t see any logical reason it wouldn’t work with either an adapter or any reasonable quality USB-C to DP cable or adapter.

 

[chrfr]

If you make sure the HDMI 2.0 mode is enabled on the P2415Q, then a USB-C to HDMI adapter will also work as long as you make sure the adapter itself supports 4K/60Hz. I have used the inexpensive Anker USB-C to HDMI adapter without issue in this configuration.

 

[WickedPorter]

I use Accel USB-C to DisplayPort cables from Amazon with my (2) P2415Q monitors, works fine for 4K @ 60Hz.

 

[fs454]

I have a P2715Q at home in LA and will test it with my 16" when I get back on Monday as I purchased the 16" in New Hampshire. I've used that one for the past 3 years with a 2016 15" touchbar MBP with some random cheap USB-C to DP cable off of Amazon, I have no reason to expect it to be any different on the 16.

 

[higgalls]

If you make sure the HDMI 2.0 mode is enabled on the P2415Q, then a USB-C to HDMI adapter will also work as long as you make sure the adapter itself supports 4K/60Hz. I have used the inexpensive Anker USB-C to HDMI adapter without issue in this configuration.

How do you make sure HDMI 2.0 mode is enabled on the P2415Q? I haven't seen anything like that listed.
[automerge]1578009439[/automerge]

How do you make sure HDMI 2.0 mode is enabled on the P2415Q? I haven't seen anything like that listed.

Never mind... I found out how to do it.

 

[sat24]

I use the 16" MBP with that monitor's bigger brother Dell P2715Q, with a generic USB-C to DisplayPort cable from Amazon. Works well for 4K60.

 

[higgalls]

Thanks everyone for your help. Sounds like it will be fine. Not sure why others have been having issues thought, and Dell have stated that their cables don't work. Strange.
Just waiting to see if Apple launches its annual back to Uni/School promotion in the next couple of days (for Australia).

 

[fs454]

Thanks everyone for your help. Sounds like it will be fine. Not sure why others have been having issues thought, and Dell have stated that their cables don't work. Strange.
Just waiting to see if Apple launches its annual back to Uni/School promotion in the next couple of days (for Australia).

Generally Dell takes a hard stance against claiming Mac compatibility of any of their monitors. If you post about any issues on their official forums and note you're using a Mac, Dell reps will respond and say any issues encountered are the result of you using an unsupported system. In reality, the monitors usually work great and this seems to be more of a political choice for them over any real technical reason - I've run Dell monitors exclusively through my entire computing history now that I think about it, from heavy stalwarts like the 2407WFP and U2711 with my 2007 MBP, and multiple revisions of the P2715Q (and a P2415Q which I no longer own) with my Late 2013 and Late 2016 models, never have I actually encountered an issue present with macOS and not with Windows.

I did read about a few issues with certain external monitor configurations with the 16 MBP but it's undoubtedly rare and definitely software related. I would expect the monitor to work fine and if it doesn't, try a different brand of USB C to DP cable.

 

[tom619]

Hi OP I'm thinking of grabbing this monitor myself, I can get it for aorund £360 but just wondering if I'll be able tog et 4k@60hz from my 2017 15" retina pro using usb-c to dp cable (which claims to support 4k@60hz) thanks!

 

[WickedPorter]

Hi OP I'm thinking of grabbing this monitor myself, I can get it for aorund £360 but just wondering if I'll be able tog et 4k@60hz from my 2017 15" retina pro using usb-c to dp cable (which claims to support 4k@60hz) thanks!

Yes - Make sure the cable supports displayPort "Alt" mode.

 

[scsskid]

I use this monitor REV01 along with LG 5k ultrafine with MBP16 over displayPort, my experience:

- (when using multiple displays) disable DCC/CI in Monitor Settings, otherwise it wont turn on like other dell monitors, unless its plugged before connecting LG 5k
- I use a generic usbc - dp cable (I think "uni" brand from amazon)
- If the Dell doesnt want to connect at all, try unplugging the power cable again (not only switch off), with no other monitor connected (I have to do this sometimes after reboot of the macbook pro)


technologies works in mysterious ways... ?