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External screen for the new 15 inch MacBook Pro

M

Marnick

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 25, 2015
4
0
Hi,

I ordered the new base 15 inch MacBook pro and I'm looking to upgrade my external screen too. This is the screen I'm looking into currently, the LG-27UD88 http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27UD88-W-4k-uhd-led-monitor

It has the usb-c type port in the back so it functions as screen and it will charge my MacBook at the same time. My question is, as the screen only puts out 60W of power, is that enough for the 15 inch MacBook, or will that cause problems? And are there any more things I should take into account?
 
Marnick said:
Hi,

I ordered the new base 15 inch MacBook pro and I'm looking to upgrade my external screen too. This is the screen I'm looking into currently, the LG-27UD88 http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27UD88-W-4k-uhd-led-monitor

It has the usb-c type port in the back so it functions as screen and it will charge my MacBook at the same time. My question is, as the screen only puts out 60W of power, is that enough for the 15 inch MacBook, or will that cause problems? And are there any more things I should take into account?
Click to expand...

I'm seriously considering this monitor as well. It's seems a bit more cost effective as it's acting as a dock and a pretty nice 4K monitor. Since it's providing power, that probably means one less brick I need to. As far as the max 60W provided by this monitor, I figure it will be sufficient unless your MBP is running full stream for long periods of time. The provided brick is 87W. I wish I could find this monitor for $500 though. $650 is the best so far.
 
joripelli said:
It's compatible with the new MBP at 60Hz?
Click to expand...
According to my research, it's definitely supposed to work for display (4K@60), USB ports, and 60W power via the single USB C cable from MBP to monitor.
 
You'd better look for a monitor that supports 85W, if you expect to do heavy work while docked (maybe not tasking CPU alone, but CPU + GPU together definitely do). Otherwise, the processors would throttle if the power source is not sufficient.
 
Foss said:
I'm seriously considering this monitor as well. It's seems a bit more cost effective as it's acting as a dock and a pretty nice 4K monitor. Since it's providing power, that probably means one less brick I need to. As far as the max 60W provided by this monitor, I figure it will be sufficient unless your MBP is running full stream for long periods of time. The provided brick is 87W. I wish I could find this monitor for $500 though. $650 is the best so far.
Click to expand...

I caved and ordered one. I paid 550 euro's, so a little cheaper. I'm excited for this beautiful screen!

Trahearne said:
You'd better look for a monitor that supports 85W, if you expect to do heavy work while docked (maybe not tasking CPU alone, but CPU + GPU together definitely do). Otherwise, the processors would throttle if the power source is not sufficient.
Click to expand...

The only monitor that supports 85W at the moment through USB-C is the LG 5k one that Apple presented. This monitor is far out of my budget. I'll just plug in the brick that the MacBook comes with if the 60W isn't enough.
 
Marnick said:
I caved and ordered one. I paid 550 euro's, so a little cheaper. I'm excited for this beautiful screen!



The only monitor that supports 85W at the moment through USB-C is the LG 5k one that Apple presented. This monitor is far out of my budget. I'll just plug in the brick that the MacBook comes with if the 60W isn't enough.
Click to expand...

Congrats, Where did you bought the ud88 at this price?
Which brick are you going to use if there's no enought power?
 
joripelli said:
Congrats, Where did you bought the ud88 at this price?
Which brick are you going to use if there's no enought power?
Click to expand...

I bought it at afuture.nl, a Dutch webshop. I'd just use the charger that comes with the MacBook.
 
Marnick, could you post some pictures and your experiences when you receive the screen? I'm also considering to get one!
 
I was looking at the officially Apple sanctioned USB C LG Ultrafine monitors and noticed the following for the 4K:

Connect the UltraFine 4K Display to your MacBook or MacBook Pro via an included USB-C cable, which supports 4K video, audio, and data simultaneously — all while supplying up to 60W of charging power to your MacBook or MacBook Pro. And with seamless macOS integration, you can control volume and brightness on your 4K display without the need for physical buttons.

I think the LG 27UD88-W power will be perfectly fine since it's providing the same power to the laptop as the Ultrafine 4K. The 5K does feed up to 85W's though, but it's $1,300 and doesn't come out till December.
 
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Trahearne said:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207256#charging

P.S. Dock + monitor is also a nice alternative. Although no dock supports 4K 60Hz at this moment.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, didn't read that yet. Clears some things up!

Stannn said:
Marnick, could you post some pictures and your experiences when you receive the screen? I'm also considering to get one!
Click to expand...

Wil do! Of course I can't test it out with my new MacBook pro yet, but I will with my 2013 13" pro.

Foss said:
Awesome! When are you due to receive it?
Click to expand...

Porbably this thursday, will post pictures!
 
I'm currently using this monitor with my 2016 macbook and its working well. Pictures are great and its running native @ 60hz
 
Outrigger said:
I'm currently using this monitor with my 2016 macbook and its working well. Pictures are great and its running native @ 60hz
Click to expand...
How is power under heavy load looking on your laptop? I'm assuming that the USB C is feeding power from the monitor to your laptop. There was some concern over the max 60W power feed. Also, can you let us know if the USB ports on the monitor seem to be getting USB 3.0 like bandwidth?
 
Foss said:
How is power under heavy load looking on your laptop? I'm assuming that the USB C is feeding power from the monitor to your laptop. There was some concern over the max 60W power feed. Also, can you let us know if the USB ports on the monitor seem to be getting USB 3.0 like bandwidth?
Click to expand...

macbook doesn't get hot and there is no issue under heavy load. the monitor basically becomes a dock, but because of the limitation with the macbook bandwith, when running @ 60hz, usb becomes 2.0 speed. otherwise, all good.
 
Outrigger said:
macbook doesn't get hot and there is no issue under heavy load. the monitor basically becomes a dock, but because of the limitation with the macbook bandwith, when running @ 60hz, usb becomes 2.0 speed. otherwise, all good.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback! So it seems if we need some USB 3 ports, we will still need a USB-C Hub.
 
Foss said:
Thanks for the feedback! So it seems if we need some USB 3 ports, we will still need a USB-C Hub.
Click to expand...
as long as you're connected to the monitor via usb c and have it running @ 60hz, you will not get usb 3 speed regardless if you use a hub or not since the macbook itself downgrade to 2.0 speed.
 
It looks like my assumption that the LG 27UD88-W would provide enough power for my new 2016 MacBook Pro 15". System report shows 57 W of power going from the monitor to the laptop, but it show as not charging. I'm working with support on both sides.
 
This looks like maybe the best non "official" monitor I've seen so far then? 4K resolution (which presumably means I'll get a true representation of my retina display MBP), 27" size, USB-C ports and at nearly half the price of the recently announced Apple/LG ones?
 
ascender said:
This looks like maybe the best non "official" monitor I've seen so far then? 4K resolution (which presumably means I'll get a true representation of my retina display MBP), 27" size, USB-C ports and at nearly half the price of the recently announced Apple/LG ones?
Click to expand...
As far as the quality of the display on the LG 27UD88-W, mine seems great. I'm a little disappointed that I could not get the charging via USB-C to work though.
 
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But looking at the price (particularly when compared to the new LG ones), spec and feedback, this still looks like one of the best options for a 27" 4K screen there is.

Hmm.... looks like its not widely in-stock anywhere in the UK I can see so far...
 
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