Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Is the Macbook the cheapest Mac that can drive an external 4K display?
- Thread starter hajime
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
TheGenerous
macrumors 65816
I use the DELL P2415Q with a 2012 Mac Mini, 16 GB, SSD.
It runs in 1080p HiDPI 30 Hz, 1080p 60 Hz.
Higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K run at 30 Hz.
It runs in 1080p HiDPI 30 Hz, 1080p 60 Hz.
Higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K run at 30 Hz.
Am I correct at at 30Hz, reading text and browsing the websites on a 4K display is OK but if I do 3D stuff, than it is not? How about watching videos? Will I see motion delays?
You'll notice the shortfalls of 30hz on more than 3D applications. There is a general sluggishness to the movement of the mouse cursor and when scrolling windows. For the casual user it might be good enough, especially since the image itself is fantastic. But you lose that rock solid responsive feeling that 60hz delivers.
Macbook Air supports 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz
https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/specs/
https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/specs/
TheGenerous
macrumors 65816
Yes, at 30 Hz and 1080p HiDPI the work I do is book and magazine design. For this work the text and graphics look amazing, there's no need to print as much as before to check at typographical choices as it almost looks like it's printed and the 24 inch display is almost 1:1 to printed material. When I watch videos at 60 fps or play emulators I manually change to 60 Hz 1080p in the System Preferences. Text looks blurry in comparison with 1080p HiDPI. Other than 60 fps videos everything seems and works fine at 30 Hz to me. (Video quality look exactly the same but at 30 Hz). I never use 3840 x 2160 resolution.
What 3D software will you use? would you want me to check how it runs? maybe I can post some screenshots or a small video of your files