For the 2 21" UltraFines, try the "Huawei VR 2 Computer Connection Cable", "Wacom Link Plus", or maybe the "Belkin Charge and Sync Cable for Huawei VR Glass" which I haven't tried yet.
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LG UltraFine 5K - Owners Thread
- Thread starter iBrooker
- Start date
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Yup, the Wacom is what I use, but unfortunately only one screen will work since I doubt his laptop has two mini-DP.
I have been on the fence about purchasing this monitor for two years. Every time I get close to purchasing it, I read some random bad review about flickering colors or screen issues. The monitor is expensive and the thought of it breaking after just a year or two scares me.
I feel this thread may be more reliable than random reviews, so I will begin digging through the 76 pages. If anyone can provide links or general insight on this monitor (to help me decide on purchasing or not), I’d greatly appreciate it.
I feel this thread may be more reliable than random reviews, so I will begin digging through the 76 pages. If anyone can provide links or general insight on this monitor (to help me decide on purchasing or not), I’d greatly appreciate it.
I bought mine in Dec. 2016 and it still works just fine with no issues.
I had the bug where upon wake or a restart the brightness would go all the way up, but a Catalina update fixed that.
If I needed a new 5K monitor today, this is the one I would buy. I don't know of any other USB-C 5K monitors with this feature set, so you don't really have much in the way of options.
Fair point. I think certain credit cards cover extended warranty. I don’t think renter’s insurance or home owners insurances would cover this though.
Thanks for providing your experience. I agree! This is the only 5K monitor with the features specific to MacBook. That’s why it’s so appealing. I remember people complaining about the 5KA-A model and people swore to buy the 5KB-B model (I might have not gotta these model numbers entirely correct). Now it looks like there is a 5KL-B model that provides compatibility with iPad. Do you have an opinion on buying a particular model? Or will the latest model do for fixing any legacy issues?
Last edited:
Hessel89
macrumors 6502a
The latest model has a USB C port so you aren't tied to just Thunderbolt 3 devices. Go for that if you can.
Just remember that LG UltraFine 5K does not have a single cable 5K mode like the Apple Pro Display XDR does. You can only get 4K using USB-C (not Thunderbolt) with the 5KL-B.
sammich
macrumors 601
Exactly my setup (although my LG 5K is from 2017), MBP and the Thinkpad model.
But there's no way to get it running in 5K in Windows is there? I've got mine running at 4096x at 125%.
I've also had a weird issue with the webcam glitching. Turns out USB goes to sleep while streaming (Windows) and moving the mouse wakes it up. The mouse wasn't even connected to the monitor. So if I'm desperate, I copy a large set of files from a USB stick while I'm using the web cam
Hessel89
macrumors 6502a
c0ppo
macrumors 68000
A question for those with Thinkpads... I'm a owner of Thinkpad X1 Extreme, second gen. So two full 4-lane TB3 ports connected directly to nVidia 1650 GPU.
Will Ultrafine 5K work with my thinkpad with native 5K resolution?
@BlueseaApple & @sammich
Will Ultrafine 5K work with my thinkpad with native 5K resolution?
@BlueseaApple & @sammich
- rob -
macrumors 65816
Hello ultrafine folks--
I'm looking to upgrade my aging but classic P2715Q and am considering jumping into 5K with the LG Ultrafine monitor rather than a more lateral 4k change to like the Acer Predator XB271HK.
I noticed that there appears to have been a light model refresh in the past year going from 27MD5KA to 27MD5KL. And that even the 27MD5KL now has a B version.
Can anyone shed light on the major differences between these versions of the monitor?
Reason I ask is eBay has the 27MD5KA going for ~$650 + free shipping right now. New L's are much more.
My workstation is a 2018 Mac Mini 3.2 GHz i7 with 32 GB RAM. I use the Blackmagic standard (Radeon Pro 580 8GB).
As a side question, anyone powering their LG Ultrafine from a Blackmagic eGPU on a mac mini have feedback on the overall experience? From searching this thread, it seems like I can expect good performance with my particular combo. But it would be nice to get more feedback.
I'm looking to upgrade my aging but classic P2715Q and am considering jumping into 5K with the LG Ultrafine monitor rather than a more lateral 4k change to like the Acer Predator XB271HK.
I noticed that there appears to have been a light model refresh in the past year going from 27MD5KA to 27MD5KL. And that even the 27MD5KL now has a B version.
Can anyone shed light on the major differences between these versions of the monitor?
Reason I ask is eBay has the 27MD5KA going for ~$650 + free shipping right now. New L's are much more.
My workstation is a 2018 Mac Mini 3.2 GHz i7 with 32 GB RAM. I use the Blackmagic standard (Radeon Pro 580 8GB).
As a side question, anyone powering their LG Ultrafine from a Blackmagic eGPU on a mac mini have feedback on the overall experience? From searching this thread, it seems like I can expect good performance with my particular combo. But it would be nice to get more feedback.
Brookzy
macrumors 603
A model - the first one released. Had interference issues. Was replaced with the B model, though a shielding fix could be retrofitted to make A models in theory the same as B models.
B model - the shielding fix.
L model - added USB-C support for display input, increased theoretical maximum charging output from 85W to 94W, uses new Titan Bridge Thunderbolt 3 controller, finally enabled support for automatic brightness adjustment (which was promised but never delivered for the A and B models), and I've read claims regarding a change to the contrast ratio but I don't think that has been confirmed.
If the laptop supports two display from a Thunderbolt port, then it can also power an LG UltraFine 5K display. The manual is unclear about the capabilities of the Thinkpad X1 Extreme gen 2. It doesn't say if the Thunderbolt ports are connected to iGPU or Nvidia. It doesn't say you can connect two displays.
LG has generated lots of confusion with its numbering. From what I have seen few have seen a -A
27MD5KA-B - https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27MD5KA-B-5k-uhd-led-monitor - 1 year warranty
27MD5KB-B - https://www.lg.com/us/business/desktop-monitors/lg-27MD5KB-B - 3 year warranty
New with USB-C display support:
27MD5KL-B - https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27md5kl-b-5k-uhd-led-monitor - 1 year warranty
27MD5KLB-B - https://www.lg.com/us/business/computer-monitors/lg-27md5klb-b - 3 year warranty
Apple sells the consumer version with 1 year warranty.
27MD5KA-B - https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27MD5KA-B-5k-uhd-led-monitor - 1 year warranty
27MD5KB-B - https://www.lg.com/us/business/desktop-monitors/lg-27MD5KB-B - 3 year warranty
New with USB-C display support:
27MD5KL-B - https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27md5kl-b-5k-uhd-led-monitor - 1 year warranty
27MD5KLB-B - https://www.lg.com/us/business/computer-monitors/lg-27md5klb-b - 3 year warranty
Apple sells the consumer version with 1 year warranty.
c0ppo
macrumors 68000
iGPU is just like on mac. It can't drive any external GPU. TB3/USB-C is connected directly to eGPU.
Well, I'm just gonna bite the bullet and order one from ebay. Found one for 480$, it's worth a shot. I still own a mac mini, so if this monitor doesn't work with X1E, it's gonna go to my mini 🙂
narimangafurov
macrumors newbie
Hello everyone! I have LG UltraFine 5K and Imacpro everything works fine, but there is a problem with the calibration of the monitor.LG UltraFine 5K color slightly green, Who is it calibrated with, could you share the color profile for LG UltraFine 5K? Perhaps the profile is suitable for me, I will be grateful.
Many Macs that only have an iGPU use the iGPU to drive an external display (Mac mini, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13-inch). Macs that also have a dGPU usually use the dGPU to drive external displays (I don't think there's a way for their iGPU to power an external display like you say - the iGPU can be used to drive the internal display to save power - the dGPU is used when 3D acceleration is used but that behavior can be changed with something like gfxCardStatus). The X1E is probably like those Macs with a dGPU. Hopefully the Nvidia is connected twice to the Thunderbolt controller. Nvidia GPUs can usually drive up to 4 displays - that would allow the internal display, HDMI, and two for Thunderbolt.
c0ppo
macrumors 68000
I know that iGPU only devices can drive external monitors.
But I don't think you read my post well, or maybe I didn't write it well enough... I already said that iGPU can't be used to drive external display if dGPU is there. Just like on X1E.
But anyway, I will find out in 2-3 weeks when I receive my monitor. Will post here just so that anyone interested in this subject can learn from my purchase 🙂
- rob -
macrumors 65816
trojans10
macrumors newbie
Hi all, so recently received my 5k monitor. 27MD5KL. I love it. That said, I'm using a 2012 macbook pro and I can't get it to connect with a thunderbolt 3-2 adapter. It works great on my moms laptop which is a 2019.
I'm going to assume I'm **** out of luck... nothing I can do right?
I bought the monitor mainly because I plan to buy the new release of the next 13/14 inch macbook pro (whenever it releases). So, I plan to keep the monitor - its just disappointing I can't use it as I need a monitor for work 🙁
I'm going to assume I'm **** out of luck... nothing I can do right?
I bought the monitor mainly because I plan to buy the new release of the next 13/14 inch macbook pro (whenever it releases). So, I plan to keep the monitor - its just disappointing I can't use it as I need a monitor for work 🙁
The 2012 doesn't support 4K so might be the issue. It is not listed under supported Macs even with the TB2<>3 adapter. https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library/monitor-connecting-to-a-mac-CT00020679-20150911473158
trojans10
macrumors newbie
Yep. Oh well. I'm going to keep it and pray this new macbook releases asap. My laptop recognizes the monitor - the issue is, it doesn't power it, so it stays black. Where as when I use the 2019, it works fine.