LG 5K with rMBP Late 2013

[MCAsan]

Apple lists compatibility between the 5K monitor and certain Macs. Note they say you can use some older Macs that do TB2 at 4K if you use the TB3 - TB2 adapter.

But note they do not mention the Late 2013 rMBP that does 4K@60Hz via TB2 ports (the first rMBP to do TB2). So has anyone tried to hook up a 2013 rMPB to the 5K monitor @ 4K? Any technical reason anyone thinks it won't work on a 2013 but does on 2014 models?



With the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter and a Thunderbolt cable, you can use the LG UltraFine 5K Display at 4K and lower resolutions with these Mac models:

3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz

• Mac Pro (Late 2013)*
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014) and later
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2014) and later
• iMac (Retina, 27-inch, Late 2014) and later
• iMac (Retina, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
• iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
• MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
• MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015)

3200 x 1800 @ 60Hz

• Mac mini (Late 2014)*

*Apple recommends that you use the LG UltraFine 5K Display as a second monitor with Mac mini and Mac Pro, as the display might not turn on until you boot into macOS. As a result, pre-boot features such as Boot Picker and macOS Recovery might not be available on the display.

 

[tomislavf]

I have the Late 2013 rMBP and it can't do 4k@60Hz... only 30Hz (or 51Hz with hacks). It's a limitation of the graphics chipset.

 

[cube]

I have the Late 2013 rMBP and it can't do 4k@60Hz... only 30Hz (or 51Hz with hacks). It's a limitation of the graphics chipset.

It is an Intel limitation, not of any discrete GPU.

 

[MCAsan]

My late 2013 with dGPU does 4K @ 60hz towards my Dell

I have the Late 2013 rMBP and it can't do 4k@60Hz... only 30Hz (or 51Hz with hacks). It's a limitation of the graphics chipset.

Sounds like you don't have a dGPU. Sorry my question assumes a MacBook with dGPU. My machine does 4K towards my Dell monitor. Hence the question about why Apple left out the Late 2013 machines when talking about compatibility with the Lg 5K monitor running at 4K or less resolution.

 

[Outrigger]

Apple lists compatibility between the 5K monitor and certain Macs. Note they say you can use some older Macs that do TB2 at 4K if you use the TB3 - TB2 adapter.

But note they do not mention the Late 2013 rMBP that does 4K@60Hz via TB2 ports (the first rMBP to do TB2). So has anyone tried to hook up a 2013 rMPB to the 5K monitor @ 4K? Any technical reason anyone thinks it won't work on a 2013 but does on 2014 models?

you're gonna have to buy it to try it. I would venture to say not many if any out there with a 2013 mbp will be buying the LG 5k.

 

[tomislavf]

Sorry, I thought you meant the integrated GPU on the 13".

Since Apple probably won't have the LG's at display in Apple Stores your best bet is to buy it and then return it if it doesn't work.

 

[MCAsan]

you're gonna have to buy it to try it. I would venture to say not many if any out there with a 2013 mbp will be buying the LG 5k.

I think you are correct. I may replace my 2013 rMBP by the end of 2017. I though it would be nice to hook it up at 4F now and use the same 27" monitor later at 5K.

 

[unagimiyagi]

If the late 2013 13" MacBook Pro can do 51 hz at 4k that's still plenty nice. I imagine this use case would be for people who have one 2016 MacBook Pro and then an older one lying around. This way the kids, spouse, etc can plug into the 5k so that not everyone in the house has to upgrade their laptops in order to use a monitor.

 

[scsskid]

sorry to revive, but can older macbook pro run at 2560@60 (i have descrete nvidia)

 

[Amethyst1]

sorry to revive, but can older macbook pro run at 2560@60 (i have descrete nvidia)

If you mean 2560×1440@60Hz: that's no problem for even the oldest MacBook Pro.

 

[scsskid]

If you mean 2560×1440@60Hz: that's no problem for even the oldest MacBook Pro.

Thanks, I was just worried to get black screen, even when using the mentioned official adapter
I will try this.

I want to use a modern macbook and the old macbook pro with the monitor

 

[Amethyst1]

I want to use a modern macbook and the old macbook pro with the monitor

What model is the old MacBook Pro?

It needs to have Thunderbolt (i.e. be a 2011 or newer model) to display anything on the original LG UltraFine 5K.

The newer LG UltraFine 5K also accepts DisplayPort input via USB-C but DisplayPort-to-USB-C adapters/cables aren’t cheap.

 

[scsskid]

What model is the old MacBook Pro?

It needs to have Thunderbolt (i.e. be a 2011 or newer model) to display anything on the original LG UltraFine 5K.

The newer LG UltraFine 5K also accepts DisplayPort input via USB-C but DisplayPort-to-USB-C adapters/cables aren’t cheap.

Its Macbook Pro 2013 15 late 2013 with nvidia and a have an older LG 5K without DisplayPort compatibility I guess (.....AB Model)

 

[Amethyst1]

Its Macbook Pro 2013 15 late 2013 with nvidia and a have an older LG 5K without DisplayPort compatibility I guess (.....AB Model)

Then you need a Thunderbolt 1/2 cable and Apple’s Thunderbolt 1/2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter. Your MacBook Pro is able to run 4K at 60 Hz.

edit: Removed typos courtesy of autocorrection.

 

[scsskid]

Then you need a Thunderbolt 1/2 cable and Apple’s Thunderbolt 1/2 to Thunderbolt 3 ass SSDs adapter. Your MacBook Pro is able to run 4K at 60 Hz.

thanks

 

[Amethyst1]

BTW, I just noticed that iOS' autocorrection has added a few...interesting...words to my reply that I didn't mean to be there. Sorry!

 

[uller6]

My late 2013 MBP (750m) can run my Ultrafine 5k at native 5k resolution using the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter and Apple Thunderbolt 2 cable. This MacBook Pro is amazing and still going strong in late 2022!