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LG Ultrafine 5K Display???
- Thread starter SaratogaLefty
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The killer feature for me is the true Retina resolution for a 27" screen with the additional option to use higher, scaled resolutions. The single-cable, hub-like features are also a plus of course.
There are no alternatives currently out in my opinion.
Still no sign of the 5K in Switzerland. I'll probably take weeks
What a lousy performance by Apple Switzerland and LG! Instead of getting my two screens next week, I'll probably be February.The killer feature for me is the true Retina resolution for a 27" screen with the additional option to use higher, scaled resolutions. The single-cable, hub-like features are also a plus of course.
There are no alternatives currently out in my opinion.
Still no sign of the 5K in Switzerland. I'll probably take weeks
could take much longer than that - there's a certain likelihood that it won't be sold at all. The once produced so far have all been sold out. The only good thing is that LG seems to have other screens with the same / similar specs in the pipeline. And so do Dell + Asus
Visually the display looks better in person than in photo's not as chunky more pleasing design in person. Operates flawlessly as expected. Very bright even brighter than my MBP.
My biggest take from this is not as ugly as I thought. Not Apple beautiful but minimalist cool.
I did buy the Belkin 6ft usb-c 3.1 Gen 2 cable to keep my tBMP on my side desk.
Very Happy
Glad to hear you have yours. I have a few questions someone might be able to answer:
1. Is the cord/cable that came with the MBP a Thunderbolt 3 cable? I know the one that comes with the display is but I'm wondering if the MBP cable also is??
2. I have a Drobo Mini and I'm using a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 Apple Adapter to hook it up directly to the MBP. I would like to hook it up to the back of the Display in one of the three USB-C ports but I'm wondering if it will work in that slot since I'm going to be using the Thunderbolt 3 slot for the connection to the MBP??
3. I also have an Ethernet to Thunderbolt converter that I'm going to plug into a Thunderbolt 3 adapter. Can I also plug that combination into the back of the Display? It does work fine plugged directly into the MBP.
4. I also have two USB-A to USB-C adapter cables which I'm planning to plug into the back of the display from time to time for connecting external backup drives, card readers, etc. Assuming no problem there either, correct?
The reason for all these questions is that I'm trying to avoid having cables (other than the one from the Display to the MBP on my desk. All the other cables will be hidden behind the Display so hopefully I can do all the things I've listed above??
1. Is the cord/cable that came with the MBP a Thunderbolt 3 cable? I know the one that comes with the display is but I'm wondering if the MBP cable also is??
2. I have a Drobo Mini and I'm using a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 Apple Adapter to hook it up directly to the MBP. I would like to hook it up to the back of the Display in one of the three USB-C ports but I'm wondering if it will work in that slot since I'm going to be using the Thunderbolt 3 slot for the connection to the MBP??
3. I also have an Ethernet to Thunderbolt converter that I'm going to plug into a Thunderbolt 3 adapter. Can I also plug that combination into the back of the Display? It does work fine plugged directly into the MBP.
4. I also have two USB-A to USB-C adapter cables which I'm planning to plug into the back of the display from time to time for connecting external backup drives, card readers, etc. Assuming no problem there either, correct?
The reason for all these questions is that I'm trying to avoid having cables (other than the one from the Display to the MBP on my desk. All the other cables will be hidden behind the Display so hopefully I can do all the things I've listed above??
Visually the display looks better in person than in photo's not as chunky more pleasing design in person. Operates flawlessly as expected. Very bright even brighter than my MBP.
My biggest take from this is not as ugly as I thought. Not Apple beautiful but minimalist cool.
I did buy the Belkin 6ft usb-c 3.1 Gen 2 cable to keep my tBMP on my side desk.
Very Happy
Thank you! I'm using a 27" Apple Cinema Display. Do you think is worth the upgrade?
I'd like to use it also with a display port adapter to attach it to a PC. Someone says it's possible and someone says it's not. Do you have any experience?
Been using the display since Monday for work. My thoughts so far:
1. It is not as beautiful as I wish it was, but its really not bad. The LG replaced my Dell P2715Q 4K and I think the design of the LG display is better in person. But I honestly haven't thought about it since I set it up on Monday because....
2. The screen itself is gorgeous. For the first time since the MBPs went "retina" I haven't been bummed that I have to use a worse looking, albeit larger, desktop display when I'm docked.
3. Single cord is awesome. It is a small thing, but it makes me happy.
1. It is not as beautiful as I wish it was, but its really not bad. The LG replaced my Dell P2715Q 4K and I think the design of the LG display is better in person. But I honestly haven't thought about it since I set it up on Monday because....
2. The screen itself is gorgeous. For the first time since the MBPs went "retina" I haven't been bummed that I have to use a worse looking, albeit larger, desktop display when I'm docked.
3. Single cord is awesome. It is a small thing, but it makes me happy.
Wow let me tell you what I have hooked up to mine maybe that will help.
The cable supplied by Apple for your MBP is not thunderbolt 3.
The main port is 40Gbps usb-c 3.1 Gen. 2 (Thunderbolt 3). The 3 addidtional ports are limited to usb-c 3.1 Gen. 1 (5Gbps).
I have a Belkin usb-c to Ethernet, Belkin usb-c to usb 3 and a 3.5 Lacie 4GB external usb-c drive.
I have a Apple usb-c to thunderbolt 2 adapter which works well. Connecting it to a thunderbolt Ethernet adapter I think would work.
With my setup there is only one cable connected to my tMBP.
Hope this helps. Kinda of all confusing with all the cables that look like each other but each has a different purpose. Once you get usb-c 3.1 Gen. 1 vs. usb-c 3.1 Gen. 2 down the cabling gets easier. Final note 3.1 Gen. 2 cables come in 10, 20 and 40Gbps. My understanding is only the 40Gbps is considered Thunderbolt 3 which carries 5K data and charging.
This is wrong on multiple levels.
First USB-C is a physical connection specification. USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 are logical transmission specifications. Thunderbolt 3 is a specification that combines logical transfer specifications with a logical connection specification.
USB 2.0 is 35 MB/s. USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 are 5 Gbit/s. USB 3.1 Gen 2 is 10 Gbit/s. Thunderbolt 3 is 40 Gbit/s.
USB 3.1 Gen 2 uses USB-C. No matter what cable you use the maximum speed is 10 Gbit/s.
Thunderbolt 3 uses USB-C "Thunderbolt Alternate Mode" in its implementation and has nothing to do USB 3.1. This "Thunderbolt Alternate Mode" also supports "DisplayPort 1.2 Alternate Mode" which is a 20 Gbit/s implementation.
Note: The Apple Power Cable that comes with the Late 2016 MacBook Pro 15" is a USB-C cable that only supports USB 2.0 transfer speeds. It's best used as a power cable but can be used with USB-C USB 3.1 data devices if no other option exists.
The LG 5K UltraFine Display USB-C cable is a USB-C cable that only supports USB 2.0 transfer speeds. It's best used as a display cable but can be used with USB-C USB 3.1 data devices if no other option exists.
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Thank you for your feedback. Everything I have read states something different. There you have it the confusion continues.
Confusion continues? Clear it up and educate yourself! Stop spreading incorrect information. Read here if don't want to believe me:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_Type-C
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)
First of all let me say I picked up my new display on Friday night and I am very happy with the image quality it provides. I appreciate your answers and I have to say I am a little bit disappointed with the ports on the back of the LG Display. As I stated earlier I have a Drobo Mini which I used with the original Thunderbolt cable on my 2012 Retina MBP for maximum speed. I bought the Apple "Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 converter thinking I could plug that into the back of the display and not have to hook it up directly to the 2016 MBP, but it turns out it only works when plugged directly into the MBP. Not the end of the world by any means, but not what I was originally led to believe. Same situation for the ethernet cable although as the other poster indicated I could get another adapter for USB-C to ethernet and plug that into the back of the display. As you stated the white "charging cable" that came with the MBP is not a Thunderbolt 3 cable. The USB-C to USB-A adapters do work with external backup drives when plugged into the display ports.
I am having one problem with the new display and I'm sure there is a simple answer, but I haven't been able to find it. The display has a built in camera and microphone which I haven't been able to activate. I did figure out how to activate the speakers but I can't figure out the camera. The system keeps using only the camera on the MBP, and if I move to "clamshell mode" with the MBP closed and then open FaceTime, it just shows a blank screen. Can someone please point me to the solution to turn on the camera??? Thanks.
Of the four USB-C ports on the back of the LG 5K display, only one is a Thunderbolt 3 port. The other 3 are all USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbit/s). That has been made clear all along on the Apple web site. See here:
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/HKN62LL/A/lg-ultrafine-5k-display
Even if the display had another Thunderbolt 3 port, you wouldn't want to use it as the LG 5K display uses a significant portion of the Thunderbolt 3 pipe. Any Thunderbolt 2 or 3 device plugged into it would have terrible performance. I would use the ports on the back of the LG 5K display for USB devices that don't transfer much data. Slow hard drives, keyboards, mice, USB speakers, etc., would be examples of what I mean.
To use the speakers on the LG 5K display, use the "Sound" system preferences panel or the speaker icon on the menu bar to choose the display speakers. The "Sound" system preferences panel is used to to choose the microphone. The individual apps that use a camera (should) allow you to choose the camera, speakers, and microphone. Run FaceTime and look at the "Video" menu to see what I mean.
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/HKN62LL/A/lg-ultrafine-5k-display
Even if the display had another Thunderbolt 3 port, you wouldn't want to use it as the LG 5K display uses a significant portion of the Thunderbolt 3 pipe. Any Thunderbolt 2 or 3 device plugged into it would have terrible performance. I would use the ports on the back of the LG 5K display for USB devices that don't transfer much data. Slow hard drives, keyboards, mice, USB speakers, etc., would be examples of what I mean.
To use the speakers on the LG 5K display, use the "Sound" system preferences panel or the speaker icon on the menu bar to choose the display speakers. The "Sound" system preferences panel is used to to choose the microphone. The individual apps that use a camera (should) allow you to choose the camera, speakers, and microphone. Run FaceTime and look at the "Video" menu to see what I mean.
Thank you very much. I had figured out the speakers but now with your help I was able to switch FaceTime over to the Display camera.
Just received mine today, and I have to say I'm very pleased thus far. The display quality is fantastic! The build I think is very good -- it's not a Cinema Display in terms of aesthetics, but still very nice. Would love to have 2 of these hooked up to my MBP!
My LG 5K screen is waiting for me at University. I am still waiting on my 13" tMBP. Has anyone had any problems running the screen with this laptop. I am a little worried that the laptop will be underpowered when running the screen.
Cheers
Cheers
Someone had a thread on their disappointment with performance of the 13" and 5K display. You should search for it. I believe their issue was regarding gaming and 4K video.
Hold on. The cable supplied with the screen cannot be 2.0 compliant only. Otherwise how could it have the necessary bandwidth for transferring video to the monitor itself...
In a way you're both right.
The cable that comes with the LG 5K UltraFine is an active Thunderbolt 3 cable. Because of the chips it uses to achieve 40 Gbps over two metres, it is not a simple passive cable like most USB-C cable and most shorter (half metre) Thunderbolt 3 cables are. The downside of this is that, at present, these active cables lose much of their USB-C reverse compatibility. So yes, connecting the LG 5K's stock cable to two USB-C devices will only allow USB 2 transfer speeds. Connect it to two Thunderbolt 3 devices, however, and the full 40 Gbps is available.
(Taking the two parts of the post you quoted, it might be more precise not to call the cable that comes with the LG 5K a "USB-C cable" for this reason. Indeed from a technical perspective, looking at its capability as a USB-C cable, it only matches the Apple USB-C cable which they sensibly name the "USB-C Charge Cable".)
This is a hell of a message. Thanks for that.In a way you're both right.
The cable that comes with the LG 5K UltraFine is an active Thunderbolt 3 cable. Because of the chips it uses to achieve 40 Gbps over two metres, it is not a simple passive cable like most USB-C cable and most shorter (half metre) Thunderbolt 3 cables are. The downside of this is that, at present, these active cables lose much of their USB-C reverse compatibility. So yes, connecting the LG 5K's stock cable to two USB-C devices will only allow USB 2 transfer speeds. Connect it to two Thunderbolt 3 devices, however, and the full 40 Gbps is available.
(Taking the two parts of the post you quoted, it might be more precise not to call the cable that comes with the LG 5K a "USB-C cable" for this reason. Indeed from a technical perspective, looking at its capability as a USB-C cable, it only matches the Apple USB-C cable which they sensibly name the "USB-C Charge Cable".)
So what about the charging cable Apple ships w/ the charger? It would not be good to make a thunderbolt connection nor to establish a USB 3.x link, am I correct?
It's just thick enough to handle the A the computer needs for charging.
Correct.
The Apple USB-C Charge Cable is an excellent cable for charging things, being the only cable on the market to be both two metres long and support 100W of power. Most others are limited to 60W and are shorter.
But it only supports USB 2 data speeds, and is not Thunderbolt, so isn't a very good cable for data transfer.