LG Ultrafine 6K announced

[the future]

German review:

Test LG UltraFine evo 32 Zoll 6K: Günstige Alternative zum Pro Display XDR, oder das bessere Studio Display?

Mit dem UltraFine evo 32 Zoll 6K bietet LG einen 32“-Monitor an, der sich als günstige Alternative zu Apples Pro Display XDR anbietet. Oder als Steigerung zum Apple Studio Display mit 27“. Aber kann der 2.000-Euro-Monitor diesen Anspruch auch erfüllen? Der REWIND-Praxistest klärt auf.

www.mactechnews.de

Power utilization:

View attachment 2579905

The LG 6K consumes much, much less power during sleep vs. the Apple Studio Display, but much more power in use.

In the comments to that review, it was clarified that the 12W for the sleeping Studio Display is a bug that was introduced with a recent macOS update, so there is hope it will be fixed.

 

[thenewepic]

The iPhone 17 Pro doesn’t support Thunderbolt either, and the hub does work with USB 3

your Macbook doesn't work with the hub at all, even simple usb ports don't work? Which macOS version is installed there?

 

[EugW]

your Macbook doesn't work with the hub at all, even simple usb ports don't work? Which macOS version is installed there?

The 2017 12" MacBook does work with that Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 hub, albeit only in USB 3 mode. It's running Ventura. For example, my USB 3 Lexar 256 GB flash drive shows up fine through the hub, as does my Samsung T7 external SSD.



However, neither USB-C->DisplayPort nor USB-C->HDMI work through the hub to the LG 6K even though the same hub works for those with my iPhone 17 Pro. Oh well, no big loss. I rarely use that laptop with external screens, and it can't output more than 4K anyway.

 

[EugW]

SSD tests - Qwiizlab AS Media 2464PD chipset enclosure with Samsung 990 Pro SSD
Machine is M4 Mac mini, with Plugable Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 hub, and LG 6K monitor connected through Thunderbolt 4.

SSD directly connected to M4 Mac mini via Thunderbolt 4. SSD detected as USB 4, runs higher power. Fastest speed.

View attachment 2574677

View attachment 2574680

SSD connected through Plugable Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 hub. SSD detected as Thunderbolt 3, runs lower power. A bit slower.

View attachment 2574678

View attachment 2574688

SSD connected through LG 6K via Thunderbolt 4. SSD detected as USB 4, runs higher power. Half speed write, full read.

View attachment 2574679

View attachment 2574681

I wonder if the write performance would be better if the monitor were connected to a Thunderbolt 5 Mac.

Interesting. For that Thunderbolt output port, if you substitute in the LG-supplied USB-C cable instead of their Thunderbolt 5 cable or a Thunderbolt 4 cable, it appears to be able to support Gen 2x2 20 Gbps, which I didn't think Macs generally supported (without an external hub). Caveat: I'm not sure what the difference is between USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20 Gbps and USB 4 Gen 2x2 20 Gbps.

The drive is still seen as USB 4 but without 40 Gbps speeds, and for my external SSD, measured power utilization is lower.





In my previous post you'll if I used a Thunderbolt cable, the read speed was ~3100 MB/s.

 

[thenewepic]

The 2017 12" MacBook does work with that Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 hub, albeit only in USB 3 mode

ok, that's expected.

However, neither USB-C->DisplayPort nor USB-C->HDMI work through the hub to the LG 6K

but this is something I wouldn't expect. The Macbook supports only DP 1.2 and there are only two (out of 4) lanes of HBR2 available to use simultaneously with USB 3. Thus, 4K60 is not possible but 4K30 or 1080p60 should work. Is there some issue with particular monitor model? We can only guess...

if you substitute in the LG-supplied USB-C cable instead of their Thunderbolt 5 cable or a Thunderbolt 4 cable, it appears to be able to support Gen 2x2 20 Gbps, which I didn't think Macs generally supported (without an external hub)

it's not USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20 Gbps, it is USB4 Gen 2x2 20 Gbps. Built-in USB ports on Macs don't support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 but USB4 Gen 2x2 is a part of USB4 standard so it is supported by every USB4-compatible device.

I'm not sure what the difference is between USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20 Gbps and USB 4 Gen 2x2 20 Gbps

it's complicated. Basically, USB 3 and USB4 are very different standards. The "4" in "USB4" is not even a version number anymore, it's a part of the standard's name. USB4 even with speed of 20 Gbps supports the same features as "full speed" USB4: PCIe and DisplayPort tunneling, networking, TB compatibility etc.

 

[EugW]

but this is something I wouldn't expect. The Macbook supports only DP 1.2 and there are only two (out of 4) lanes of HBR2 available to use simultaneously with USB 3. Thus, 4K60 is not possible but 4K30 or 1080p60 should work. Is there some issue with particular monitor model? We can only guess...

There is a DP 1.2 compatibility mode on the LG 6K monitor, but I hadn't bothered to try it since I want at least DP 1.4 on that DisplayPort input for 6K support with my more recent hardware. And switching from DP 2.1 compatibility mode to DP 1.4 compatibility mode makes no difference in behaviour for any of my machines.

it's complicated. Basically, USB 3 and USB4 are very different standards. The "4" in "USB4" is not even a version number anymore, it's a part of the standard's name.

Are the speeds of the cables chip-identified?

I want to buy a couple of cables to run as USB 4, but at 20 Gbps. I specifically do NOT want them to run at 40 Gbps. IOW, if I buy USB-IF certified 20 Gbps cables, will they be capped at 20 Gbps? The reason I ask is because some USB 4 / Thunderbolt SSD enclosures can run warm at 40 Gbps, especially with the higher performance SSDs. Capping them to 20 Gbps is an easy way to limit heat production while still maintaining adequate speed for some usage scenarios.

USB4 even with speed of 20 Gbps supports the same features as "full speed" USB4: PCIe and DisplayPort tunneling, networking, TB compatibility etc.

This is great, because USB 4 is far more stable on macOS than USB 3 for external drives. With some USB 3 drives, I would occasionally get issues with wake from sleep, with error messages telling me after wake up that the drive was not ejected properly. This issue has completely disappeared with 40 Gbps USB 4 and Thunderbolt, and so far it appears it's also a non-issue with 20 Gbps USB 4 too. Also I don't know if USB 3 SSDs support TRIM yet in macOS.

 

[thenewepic]

I want to buy a couple of cables to run as USB 4, but at 20 Gbps. I specifically do NOT want them to run at 40 Gbps

just buy a 24-pin USB 3 cable, they usually labeled as USB 3 10Gbps or USB 3 20Gbps.

Are the speeds of the cables chip-identified?

I believe 40+ Gbps needs a chip for identification, but 20 Gbps should work with any decent 24-pin cable. I even have basic no-name full pin cable labeled as USB 3 10Gbps and it works in USB4 20Gbps mode with my Apple devices.

 

[EugW]

I've since unplugged the Apple USB-C audio adapter from the LG 6K monitor's USB-C USB 3 downstream port. I was getting some occasional audio glitches with the audio set up that way. The audio glitches disappeared when I plugged it into a Thunderbolt 4 hub connected to my Mac.

However, right now I'm trying it with a USB 3 hub in between the audio adapter and the monitor's USB-C port. For some reason that seems to solve the glitches in initial testing. We shall see over time.

just buy a 24-pin USB 3 cable, they usually labeled as USB 3 10Gbps or USB 3 20Gbps.

I believe 40+ Gbps needs a chip for identification, but 20 Gbps should work with any decent 24-pin cable. I even have basic no-name full pin cable labeled as USB 3 10Gbps and it works in USB4 20Gbps mode with my Apple devices.

For testing purposes, I connected a USB 4 / TB 4 SSD directly to my M4 Mac mini using that LG-supplied 5-foot USB-C cable. The Mac mini negotiated at USB 4 20 Gbps and it seemed to work, until I stressed it with some Black Magic Speedtests, when it disconnected on its own. 😕 I then purchased a Cable Matters USB-IF certified 20 Gbps 6-foot USB 4 cable and did the same test, and it worked perfectly, many times over. I believe this is the Amazon USA listing.



Thus, I would not recommend using any random USB 3 cable for USB 4 20 Gbps. If you want to run at 20 Gbps, buy a USB-IF certified 20 Gbps USB 4 cable (or if you already have a certified 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 cable, you can use that). Similarly, if you want to run at 40 Gbps, buy an Intel certified Thunderbolt 4 cable or else a USB-IF certified 40 Gbps USB 4 cable.

I don't know for sure but it appears the LG 6K monitor's USB-C USB 3 ports are 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2, not Gen 2x2, with an included 10 Gbps USB-C cable to match. Don't use this LG USB-C cable with 20 Gbps peripherals, even if the Mac mini is able to negotiate 20 Gbps with it.

 

[Pezimak]

Hoe matte is the screen on this monitor and how does it handle HDR? I am guessing not very well?

 

[EugW]

Putting a cheap US$10 USB 3 hub between the monitor's USB-C 3.2 output and my audio adapter has completely eliminated the audio glitches. I dunno why, but it works. My updated setup is now as follows:

Ports:
1. DisplayPort - Connected to TB4/USB4 hub for my laptop
2. HDMI
3. Thunderbolt input - Connected to Mac mini
4. Thunderbolt output - Connected to Time Machine SSD
5. USB-C input - Connected to TB4/USB4 hub for my laptop
6. USB-C output - Connected to web cam
7. USB-C output - Connected to USB 3 hub --> audio system + flash card reader

I have configured the USB selection setting for the Thunderbolt input as Thunderbolt.
I have configured the USB selection setting for the DisplayPort input as USB-C.

When I'm using the Thunderbolt input with the Mac mini, it sees the Time Machine SSD, web cam, audio system, and flash card reader.
When I'm using the DisplayPort input with the hub for my laptop, it sees the web cam, audio system, and flash card reader, but not the SSD.

In other words both the TB and DP inputs see the web cam, audio system, and flash card reader, but the SSD can only be seen by the TB input.
Conversely, the TB4/USB4 hub (and everything attached to it) is invisible to the Mac mini connected to the Thunderbolt input.

Blue - For only the laptop
Purple - For only the Mac mini
Green - For both the Mac mini and laptop

Hoe matte is the screen on this monitor and how does it handle HDR? I am guessing not very well?

HDR works and looks better than I expected, not amazing but decent. It makes a noticeable difference over SDR.

Unfortunately, I don't know how to properly calibrate HDR colour yet since LG Calibration Studio doesn't appear to have an HDR colour calibration procedure. Basically what I do is use my custom hardware "Calibration 1" Display P3 setting for SDR, and the standard "Cinema" setting for HDR. The colour is a bit warm on Cinema but for streaming video it's fine, and the monitor will automatically switch between the two colour calibration settings when switching between SDR and HDR modes, which is convenient. (IOW, it remembers which colour calibration setting that you prefer for both SDR and HDR so you don't have to manually switch between the colour profiles when switching between SDR and HDR.) Actually, I don't think you can even set a custom hardware calibration setting for HDR. When in HDR mode, the only colour options are "Personalized Picture", "Custom", "Vivid", and "Cinema". The custom hardware calibration settings are not available. So if you calibrate a colour profile for HDR, it would be on the Mac, not a hardware setting on the monitor. I'll have to find a software package that works for HDR. (As mentioned previously, DisplayCAL doesn't seem to work in my setup, and my version of the Datacolor SpyderX software doesn't appear to support HDR calibration.)

However, I only rarely use HDR mode. I don't watch much video on this monitor (aside from YouTube), and in regular usage I prefer using SDR.

As for the matte screen, it looks nicer than old-school matte, but it's still matte nonetheless.

 

[EugW]

I've said before that I think perfect macOS text sizing for me is around 200 ppi, so Apple's 218 ppi and the LG 6K's 224 ppi are high for me. I tried to use the LG 6K at default resolution and font size settings for a few weeks. It was mostly fine, but after extended periods, the smallish text sometimes gave me headaches. The simple solution without decreasing the resolution is to increase zoom / text size in apps like Safari. I was thinking I'd need about a 10% increase but the smallest increase offered is 15%. At 115% zoom, text is a little bigger than I need, but the headaches are now gone.



Fonts at 115% on this 224 ppi display equate to default text sizing (100%) on a 195 ppi display. The higher 224 ppi is a small advantage here since, since on a 218 ppi display, that +15% would be like 189 ppi, for even bigger text. Apple should really have a +10% option. For text size, 224 ppi +10% is like 203 ppi, and 218 ppi +10% is like 198 ppi, both basically my preferred ~200 ppi.

This 6K Monitor Has More to Offer Than Just More Pixels

One of the sharpest monitors ever made, the LG UltraFine Evo 6K monitor has more than just extra pixels to offer.

www.wired.com

This wired review is not really a techie review but it touched on several points I've commented on in this thread.

WIRED
Sharpest 32-inch monitor ever. Excellent color coverage and accuracy. Dedicated Mac profiles. Loud, full-bodied speakers. Includes KVM switch and Thunderbolt 5.

TIRED
Only 60-Hz refresh rate. Limited height adjustment. Port placement is inconvenient. No built-in cable management.

 

[AudiA4]

This 6K Monitor Has More to Offer Than Just More Pixels

One of the sharpest monitors ever made, the LG UltraFine Evo 6K monitor has more than just extra pixels to offer.

www.wired.com

This wired review is not really a techie review but it touched on several points I've commented on in this thread.

WIRED
Sharpest 32-inch monitor ever. Excellent color coverage and accuracy. Dedicated Mac profiles. Loud, full-bodied speakers. Includes KVM switch and Thunderbolt 5.

TIRED
Only 60-Hz refresh rate. Limited height adjustment. Port placement is inconvenient. No built-in cable management.

The Wired review says that only one of the Thunderbolt port supplies power, and at only 96 watts, it's not enough to charge their MacBook Pro. What?! My 5 year old 32" LG 4K uses USB-C and easily charges my laptop while displaying its content. Am I conflating Thunderbolt and USB-C ports? Can I just use a single port to both drive this monitor and charge the laptop (maybe with USB-C)?

 

[thenewepic]

Can I just use a single port to both drive this monitor and charge the laptop

Of course you can.

 

[EugW]

The Wired review says that only one of the Thunderbolt port supplies power, and at only 96 watts, it's not enough to charge their MacBook Pro. What?! My 5 year old 32" LG 4K uses USB-C and easily charges my laptop while displaying its content. Am I conflating Thunderbolt and USB-C ports? Can I just use a single port to both drive this monitor and charge the laptop (maybe with USB-C)?

It depends on the model, workload, and attached devices of course. For example, a 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro can peak at well over 200 Watts!



IOW, even Apple's own biggest power adapter that ships with the machine isn't even close to being sufficient at 140 Watts to keep the machine charged at peak power consumption. However, if you're just surfing MacRumors, it doesn't use much power at all. You'll see from the same screen grab that although the peak was 212 Watts, the average was actually less than 15 Watts. So, while the Wired review isn’t technically wrong on this point, it’s misleading since they provided no explanation.

P.S. I charge my wife's light usage M4 MacBook Air with a 15 Watt USB-C electrical wall outlet when not in use, and a 30 Watt outlet when in use. The 15 Watt outlet had been installed because the 30 W model was unavailable at the time. Later I had thought about switching it out for the 30 Watt model, but it turns out we haven't needed it.

 

[dropadrop]

Anyone know what the black friday offer for members is on LG’s site (EU)?

 

[EugW]

I posted in the LG 6K pre-order thread, but I'll crosspost here:

LG Canada has various discounts on the LG 32U990A-S.AUS 6K.

- $50 coupon if you sign up to their website, for purchases over $500
- 10% off for some occupations
- $300 Visa pre-paid credit card for LG 6K pre-orders from October 10 to 30 with card to arrive 4-6 weeks later

View attachment 2566330

I've pre-ordered, with the monitor to come in November, for CA$2380 (US$1700), plus $13.90 environmental fee, plus tax. At just CA$480 / US$343 + tax more than the Asus 6K, it was an easy decision. I also hope I'll get the $300 Visa card.

View attachment 2566335

View attachment 2566337

I just got my $300 prepaid credit card for my LG preorder. As mentioned, I originally paid CA$2380 before environmental fee and taxes. That $300 credit card is worth an additional $265.50 in pre-tax dollars, so in the end the monitor cost CA$2114.50 or a little over US$1500 before EHF and tax.

I wonder why USA got the short end of the stick this time around for monitor pricing.

Anyone know what the black friday offer for members is on LG’s site (EU)?

All I can say was that there was no discount on the LG 6K for Black Friday in Canada, and I don't think there was one in the US either. Dunno about the EU. However, here there are discounts for certain jobs, so you may want to look into that. Plus I got an additional small discount for joining the LG Canada website. It would be useful to check if LG in Europe has that signing bonus too.

EDIT:

I looked up those discounts for the UK and they have them there too.

LG.com/UK has a 5% discount for people who sign up for new (free) LG memberships. They also have discounts for "key workers", including NHS & healthcare, military, teachers, and other essential service workers here.

LG.com/fr in France also has that 5% new member discount. I couldn't find the corresponding key worker discounts for France, but I'm not sure what to look for in French. (I'm in Canada so a Google search pulled up the Canadian French page for the program.)