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dpace32

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 24, 2008
251
51
Hello -

Curious if anyone has tried an M2 MacBook Air with a 49" ultrawide monitor?

Does anyone think this would be an issue? I have a AOC AGON Curved Gaming Monitor 49" (AG493UCX), Dual QHD 5120x1440 @ 120Hz and looking to order a MacBook air for daily use. I know the MacBook Air can't power 2 screens, but would this wide monitor be an issue?

Thank you
 
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kfscoll

macrumors 65816
Nov 3, 2009
1,147
139
I was surprised to see that my M2 Air can't support the same scaled resolutions on my Dell 5K2K monitor as my Mac Studio can, even in clamshell mode. I have no idea why that's the case.

In other words, I originally thought for sure that the M2 Air would support your monitor. But now, who knows? I have a feeling it'll work fine if you want to drive it at its native resolution, but if you want to scale, it's hard to say whether it'd work. In that case, unless someone's tried it, you might just have to.
 

ThailandToo

macrumors 6502a
Apr 18, 2022
606
1,230
It will work, but not at 120Hz. The SoC will only allow one output display other than built-in display, but it can drive a 6K XDR Display with no problems. You just cannot get it to 120Hz.
 

hungryghosty

macrumors regular
May 14, 2020
197
104
As above I think 5120x1440 will be limited to 60Hz (which may not be a massive issue) though that might requrie USB>Displayport rather than HDMI. Scaling could be a problem at that resolution but native would be fine and likely the prefered option for font size/clarity anyway on a 49" monitor. I guess you can always buy it from Apple and use the 14-day return policy if there are any issues with the monitor.

If you do try it I'd appreciate if you can update this thread as I'm tempted to go for a similar 38-49" monitor in future when my current, now 7 year old, 34" Ultrawide [3440x1440] needs replaced.
 

dpace32

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 24, 2008
251
51
It will work, but not at 120Hz. The SoC will only allow one output display other than built-in display, but it can drive a 6K XDR Display with no problems. You just cannot get it to 120Hz.
Curious, are there any Macs that support 120hz? I see the M2 Air and 14" M1 Pro are both only working at 60hz for external displays?
 

Mcdevidr

macrumors 6502a
Nov 27, 2013
793
368
They definitely can support more than 60hz as I’ve seen people gaming at 120hz on external monitors on m1 pro/max and m2. Those monitors were 1080p though. Not sure if there is a limit to High refresh or not.
 

GooseInTheCaboose

macrumors 6502
Apr 2, 2022
310
183
I was surprised to see that my M2 Air can't support the same scaled resolutions on my Dell 5K2K monitor as my Mac Studio can, even in clamshell mode. I have no idea why that's the case.

In other words, I originally thought for sure that the M2 Air would support your monitor. But now, who knows? I have a feeling it'll work fine if you want to drive it at its native resolution, but if you want to scale, it's hard to say whether it'd work. In that case, unless someone's tried it, you might just have to.
yikes, does this issue also apply tothe 5k Apple Studio Display?
 

calpark207

macrumors newbie
Dec 8, 2022
1
0
My wife has M1 Air and I have a couple older MBPs (2017 and 2018) that all work great with my Odyssey G9 49" monitor. I bought the new M2 Air and M2 Pro but neither of these work with the same setup. I have also tried newer cables with 8K resolution support. Running out of ideas here... Anyone get this setup to work? Is there a dock that works better? Something is clearly broken between what used to work on older laptops and the newer models wrt the ultra wide resolution support..
 

caramelgq

macrumors newbie
Dec 7, 2023
1
0
I recently purchasd a Macbook Air M2 base model, and picked up a Cable Connection 8k/60hz USB-C to DP dongle. Using a DP cable that normally connects an RTX3060ti to an Alienware 34", the MBA M2 happily runs the 34" at max resolution and frequency (3440x1440@120 hz). I can play Diablo 3 at 60-100+FPS depending on settings, and even Metro Exodus at low settings/low FPS.

On my 2015 MBPr13, using a TB2 to DP cable, I am able to get 3440x1440@100 hz.

(Edit:changed dongle to cable and other stupid typos)
 
Last edited:

PeteFlo

macrumors newbie
Dec 7, 2023
1
0
Yeah, before buying an Apple Display I used my M1 Airbook on my CRG49 via a Brydge Stone Pro and it worked perfectly well.
 

tstafford

macrumors 6502a
Sep 13, 2022
989
905
Curious, are there any Macs that support 120hz? I see the M2 Air and 14" M1 Pro are both only working at 60hz for external displays?
Definitely there are Macs that support more than 60hz. All the way up to 240hz depending on the chip. Just need one with the newer HDMI port - and be willing to settle for 4K.
 
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