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Does the MacBook Pro M1 support DisplayPort 1.4?

alexjholland

alexjholland

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 3, 2011
848
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Bali, Cambridge, Sydney.. anywhere.
Does the MacBook Pro support DisplayPort 1.4 and - therefore - 4k/60Hz out on their USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter?

I need my MacBook Pro's two USB-C ports to do three things...
  1. Power
  2. HDMI out
  3. Dock for hard drives and soundcard
Finding a dock that also reliably supports 4K/60Hz HDMI out looks like a world of pain.

Also, I sometimes want to use my Google PixelBook with that monitor... but it won't need the dock.

Therefore, it seems logical to combine my MacBook's power and HDMI out requirements with the Apple's (reassuringly) official solution - their USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.

I can then make full use of my MacBook Pro's Thunderbolt capablities and plug the second port into a Thunderbolt dock.

Here's what what would look like.

MacBook Pro's USB-C outputs
  1. Apple USB C multiport adapter
    1. HDMI out
    2. Power input
  2. ThunderBolt dock
Google PixelBook's USB-C outputs
  1. HDMI out
  2. Power input
I can't think of any accessories I will ever need to plug into my PixelBook.

Only issue I can see is that the listing for the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter doesn't mention the MacBook Pro M1.

Questions
  • Does the M1 output 4K/60Hz with the official Apple adapter?
  • Is it reliable solution for HDMI output and power input?
  • Does this look like a logical solution?
Cheers,

Alex
 
According to the tech specs it does.They claim USB4 specifications on the ports and USB4 requires DP 1.4 (actually I think it requires DP 2.0).

Make sure you have the latest version of that adapter though. An older one is only 4K 30 fps. The missing spec for the M1 13" MacBook Pro looks like an oversight.

I use the Belkin HDMI adapter and get 4K 60 fps on my external monitor so the TB/USB4 port is definitely capable.
 
jdb8167 said:
According to the tech specs it does.They claim USB4 specifications on the ports and USB4 requires DP 1.4 (actually I think it requires DP 2.0).

Make sure you have the latest version of that adapter though. An older one is only 4K 30 fps. The missing spec for the M1 13" MacBook Pro looks like an oversight.

I use the Belkin HDMI adapter and get 4K 60 fps on my external monitor so the TB/USB4 port is definitely capable.
Click to expand...
Yeah I only ever buy Apple peripherals direct from the Apple Store due to the high number of fake items on Amazon.

Nice. Sounds like it's a well-specc'd dongle?
 
alexjholland said:
I just ordered a 4K/60Hz HDMI out for my Pixelbook.

But I need power passthrough for my Mac so I can free up the second port for a Thunderbolt dock.
Click to expand...
Yeah, after I received the adapter I discovered that having a free TB/USB port would be handy when I'm in clamshell mode. Luckily someone posted an undocumented setting for pmset that allows clamshell when on battery:

sudo pmset disablesleep 1

This leaves me a port open and I get crazy battery life when the internal monitor is not lit up so it works pretty well. Most of the time I don't need another port it is just when plugging something like an external USB drive that it is handy.
 
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jdb8167 said:
Yeah, after I received the adapter I discovered that having a free TB/USB port would be handy when I'm in clamshell mode. Luckily someone posted an undocumented setting for pmset that allows clamshell when on battery:

sudo pmset disablesleep 1

This leaves me a port open and I get crazy battery life when the internal monitor is not lit up so it works pretty well. Most of the time I don't need another port it is just when plugging something like an external USB drive that it is handy.
Click to expand...
Ahh... I always like my MacBook/PixelBook open, as a second monitor for my emails/chat.
 
alexjholland said:
Questions
  • Does the M1 output 4K/60Hz with the official Apple adapter?
  • Is it reliable solution for HDMI output and power input?
  • Does this look like a logical solution?
Click to expand...

Yes, it supports 4K@60Hz with HDR with the official Apple adapter. 4K60 only requires DisplayPort 1.2, though. DisplayPort 1.4 is where you get 8K60 and all that. And... from my limited testing, I don't think the M1 MacBook Pro supports anything past 6K, so it technically does not support DisplayPort 1.4 right now.

Is the official Apple adapter a reliable solution for HDMI output and power input? Yes, it is.

Does it look like a logical solution? No. If you can get a Thunderbolt 3 monitor, those are best. This one doesn't break the bank:

ThinkVision P32u-10 32 Inch Wide UHD 4K Adobe RGB Thunderbolt 3 Monitor

Shop & save on the ThinkVision P32u-10 32 Inch Wide UHD 4K Adobe RGB Thunderbolt 3 Monitor & hundreds of other popular PC, home, business & gaming accessories at Lenovo today ✔️ Free shipping
www.lenovo.com

A Thunderbolt 3 monitor is best because it'll be one cable that gives you: 45W power (more than enough), 4K @ 60Hz, peripherals, and spare USB 3.0 port.
 
bill-p said:
Yes, it supports 4K@60Hz with HDR with the official Apple adapter. 4K60 only requires DisplayPort 1.2, though. DisplayPort 1.4 is where you get 8K60 and all that. And... from my limited testing, I don't think the M1 MacBook Pro supports anything past 6K, so it technically does not support DisplayPort 1.4 right now.

Is the official Apple adapter a reliable solution for HDMI output and power input? Yes, it is.

Does it look like a logical solution? No. If you can get a Thunderbolt 3 monitor, those are best. This one doesn't break the bank:

ThinkVision P32u-10 32 Inch Wide UHD 4K Adobe RGB Thunderbolt 3 Monitor

Shop & save on the ThinkVision P32u-10 32 Inch Wide UHD 4K Adobe RGB Thunderbolt 3 Monitor & hundreds of other popular PC, home, business & gaming accessories at Lenovo today ✔️ Free shipping
www.lenovo.com

A Thunderbolt 3 monitor is best because it'll be one cable that gives you: 45W power (more than enough), 4K @ 60Hz, peripherals, and spare USB 3.0 port.
Click to expand...
I'm a 'digital nomad' and live between several apartments in different countries.

I don't want to have to buy new monitors in each apartment.

If I visit somewhere new I just buy a new HDMI monitor and plug-in.

Also, my MacBook Pro ships with a 61W power supply... Can it really run on a 45W supply?
 
Well, if you're a traveling person, then yeah, get the AV adapter. I think it's the most anyone will need.

And yeah, the MacBook Pro M1 can work with only a 45W supply. In fact, I got 30W to work as well. You only need a very very small brick with it, not the abomination that Apple ships with the device.
 
Interesting. So the hubs that take - say - a 60W input and output 45W could happily power my MacBook Pro M1 13" for weeks at a time?

I had it in mind that I'd need to buy a hub that had 80W in and 65W out to power my MacBook.
 
I would say it has to support 1.4 because my 38GL950G can run at 160 or 175 Hz when connected to my M1 MBP.

If I connect my 38GL950G to an older GPU that doesn't support 1.4, I'm limited to 120 Hz. Going higher than that isn't even an option.

But I don't know about going through the Apple adapter. I'm using this Thunderbolt hub: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08438H4GM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Reason I got it is because it was one of the few hubs that specifically advertised 1.4 support.
 
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I didn't realise how new USB 4 is.

Is there an argument that 'making do' with a couple of cheaper dongles/hubs might be smarter than buying a £200+ Thunderbolt dock for a few months?

It might be that new docks come out soon which are faster than any existing USB 3 models?
 
alexjholland said:
Sadly it's three weeks until it arrives!

I'll try to remember to reply here though.

Given that bus-powered USB-C hubs swallow a chunk of wattage, I hope any Mac can run on less than the wattage that their charger delivers?
Click to expand...
I’ll probably just order one and hope for the best. If I get it before 3 weeks I’ll let you know how it performs.
 
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alexjholland said:
Sadly it's three weeks until it arrives!

I'll try to remember to reply here though.

Given that bus-powered USB-C hubs swallow a chunk of wattage, I hope any Mac can run on less than the wattage that their charger delivers?
Click to expand...

Order this one and just trying it out now. 45W charged my Mac about 10% (75% to 85%) in about 15 min, it's telling me 50 min to full charge from 85%. Just listening to a podcast, so not doing anything intensive. Works well for my use case.
 
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theedoor said:
Order this one and just trying it out now. 45W charged my Mac about 10% (75% to 85%) in about 15 min, it's telling me 50 min to full charge from 85%. Just listening to a podcast, so not doing anything intensive. Works well for my use case.
Click to expand...
Is that the Anker model with a 45W USB C out?

(Your page won't load for some reason.)

I own this already and wrote it off for MacBook Pro use.

Sounds like it might be just fine?
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
alexjholland said:
Is that the Anker model with a 45W USB C out?

(Your page won't load for some reason.)

I own this already and wrote it off for MacBook Pro use.

Sounds like it might be just fine?
Click to expand...
Yup, 45W out on USB-C, and 3 USB-A ports that share 20W (so 65W total).

Seems to work for light tasks (so far only been watching Netflix/Youtube or listening to Podcasts), I'm sure if I was doing anything more CPU/GPU intensive then maybe it wouldn't be enough.
 
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bill-p said:
Yes, it supports 4K@60Hz with HDR with the official Apple adapter.
Click to expand...
Hi,
Did you use this adapter with M1?
Apple does not mention M1 for 4K@60Hz

About the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter - Apple Support

Connect a Mac that has a Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port to an HDMI display, while also charging your Mac and connecting to a USB-A device. iPad models that have a Thunderbolt or USB-C port can also use this adapter.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
emikaadeo said:
Hi,
Did you use this adapter with M1?
Apple does not mention M1 for 4K@60Hz

About the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter - Apple Support

Connect a Mac that has a Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port to an HDMI display, while also charging your Mac and connecting to a USB-A device. iPad models that have a Thunderbolt or USB-C port can also use this adapter.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
Click to expand...
I can confirm that my Macbook Pro M1 outputs 4K/60Hz with the Apple AV adapter.

The details in 'System Information' look identical to direct output with a USB-C to Displayport cable.

However, some devices (eg. my Pixelbook Go) only output 4K/60Hz via Displayport, so this cable remains my preference (using a Caldigit Soho).

The Apple AV adapter's gone in my gear bag for coworking spaces etc.
 
Resurrecting this old thread to remind folks they need an HDMI 2.0 compatible cable and to activate HDMI 2.0 mode on their display if necessary. The DELL P2715Q, for example, requires that you activate this mode!
 
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