LG Ultrafine 5k on Mac AND PC?

[whdigital]

Forgive me as I have tried to pour through every thread on this monitor and I have a question that I don't think as been addressed before... I want to use the 27" 5K with multiple machines. I do understand that it only has 1 Thunderbolt for 5K rez, but can you use USB-C for 4K and switch back and forth between them using the Screen Manager software or something?

My setup is 2019 iMac 27" iMac, 2019 16" MBP and a Lenovo Yoga X1 (which also has TB via USB-C actually). I would assume I can hot-swap cables, but it would be less than convenient. Either laptop connectivity would be somewhat occasional vs. wanting constant twin monitors between the iMac and the LG.

So, IF I'm happy with 4k on the occasional laptop connection (either MBP or X1), can I just leave a USB-C cable that I just grab and plug it without "disturbing" the Thunderbolt connection to the iMac? If that works, how does one really manage switching between the two? Latest connection dominates?

Seems like the perfect monitor save for this issue that they've made it quite difficult to use for more than one connection.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and opinions. ...And again, apologies if this has been asked and answered. I actually even waded through the entire 79 page Owner's Thread and didn't catch it other than some saying it works fine with PCs. Just need to know about simultaneous use.

 

[KPOM]

Forgive me as I have tried to pour through every thread on this monitor and I have a question that I don't think as been addressed before... I want to use the 27" 5K with multiple machines. I do understand that it only has 1 Thunderbolt for 5K rez, but can you use USB-C for 4K and switch back and forth between them using the Screen Manager software or something?

My setup is 2019 iMac 27" iMac, 2019 16" MBP and a Lenovo Yoga X1 (which also has TB via USB-C actually). I would assume I can hot-swap cables, but it would be less than convenient. Either laptop connectivity would be somewhat occasional vs. wanting constant twin monitors between the iMac and the LG.

So, IF I'm happy with 4k on the occasional laptop connection (either MBP or X1), can I just leave a USB-C cable that I just grab and plug it without "disturbing" the Thunderbolt connection to the iMac? If that works, how does one really manage switching between the two? Latest connection dominates?

Seems like the perfect monitor save for this issue that they've made it quite difficult to use for more than one connection.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and opinions. ...And again, apologies if this has been asked and answered. I actually even waded through the entire 79 page Owner's Thread and didn't catch it other than some saying it works fine with PCs. Just need to know about simultaneous use.

You might be better off using Apple’s 0.8m Thunderbolt 3 cable instead of the one that comes with the LG. LG ships separate 2m TB3-only and 1m USB-C-only cables. The former won’t work with all PC TB3 ports (it doesn’t work right with my HP Elitebook 840 G5, but does work with my HP Thunderbolt Dock), while the latter can deliver only a 4K signal.

The Apple TB3 cable also supports USB-C. I use it to hot swap between my HP, a 12” MacBook, and a 13” MacBook Pro.

 

[whdigital]

Thank you, good info about the TB3 cable spec.... Have you ever hooked up to BOTH TB3 and USB-C (lower rez I know) and switched back and forth? That is what I’m trying to determine befroe committing $

 

[KPOM]

Thank you, good info about the TB3 cable spec.... Have you ever hooked up to BOTH TB3 and USB-C (lower rez I know) and switched back and forth? That is what I’m trying to determine befroe committing $

Yes, I’ve done that. However, the monitor itself has only one input port, so it is a bit of a hassle using the included cables if you need to switch back and forth. I have used the Apple cable with both TB3 and USB-C devices with no issues.

 

[whdigital]

Yes, I’ve done that. However, the monitor itself has only one input port, so it is a bit of a hassle using the included cables if you need to switch back and forth. I have used the Apple cable with both TB3 and USB-C devices with no issues.

Ahh, I thought I had read elsewhere that the other USB-C ports will act as an Input, but only at 4k or lower rez.? In other words, leave the iMac connected via TB3 for full 5k daily use, but also leave a USB-C connected to one of those and plug in a PC to it occasionally. That way I wouldn't have to reach behind monitor each time. If that can't even be done, then that is a pretty lame design in my humble opinion. LOL
[automerge]1593030118[/automerge]
p.s. I really appreciate the replies and info shared!

 

[KPOM]

Ahh, I thought I had read elsewhere that the other USB-C ports will act as an Input, but only at 4k or lower rez.? In other words, leave the iMac connected via TB3 for full 5k daily use, but also leave a USB-C connected to one of those and plug in a PC to it occasionally. That way I wouldn't have to reach behind monitor each time. If that can't even be done, then that is a pretty lame design in my humble opinion. LOL
[automerge]1593030118[/automerge]
p.s. I really appreciate the replies and info shared!

Unfortunately that’s not the case. But if you use the Apple Thunderbolt Cable (0.8m) or the 2m active cable, you can just keep that plugged into the input port on the LG and then plug the other end into either a TB3 or USB-C port.

 

[whdigital]

<>