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Macbook and LG 27UD88....

SpitUK

SpitUK

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 5, 2010
905
855
East Yorkshire, UK
I have the 2017 12" Macbook and love it. I am going to get a monitor so I can use it as a desktop at my desk. Will also get the Apple keyboard and mouse. Is High Sierra pretty good now with an external monitor?

I want to get this monitor as I like the look of it and it supports charging the Macbook plus providing the video feed over the single USB-C cable.

http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27UD88-W-4k-uhd-led-monitor

Anyone know if it will be 60Hz at 4k?
 
I got the monitor and so far its gorgeous. Image is great and the MacBook performs great. Just waiting on my Apple Keyboard and Mouse.

Love how the single cable does everything and charges my MacBook fast as well.

mFC5RsD.jpg
 
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@SpitUK What is that stand you have in the photo that is holding the Macbook? Looks nice :)

I'm aiming for a similar single cable setup but with a 25" WQHD monitor instead so I can run it at 100% with no scaling.

You don't happen to run Windows via Boot Camp as well do you? I read one review on Amazon where Windows couldn't get the correct resolution when connected by USB type-c on the MacBook.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Quddy, it is called Twelve South on Amazon.

No I only run MacOS.

Had a good test of it on the 4K monitor, there is the occasional dropped frames but you dont lose any repsonsiveness. I have 6 desktops open with various Office apps running.
 
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Been using this setup for a couple of weeks now and it works flawlessly. What a joy to use, for all my day to day usage it works great at 4k as a desktop. It’s so easy to just plug in and go with the mouse/keyboard automatically connecting. A 2019 quad core MacBook will just be amazing.
 
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Sorry if I hijack this thread for my specific setting a bit...

Would this also be a good display for the MacBook early 2016? Is the 2017 model different regarding refresh rates (30/60Hz)?

I'm looking for the currently best USB-C monitor option and I'm a bit confused what the consensus is atm.

My priorities are (in order):
- should charge the MacBook (I think most do? i.e. I compare to the Acer H277HU)
- should be 60Hz
- should have at least 2 USB ports (external. usb2 soundsystem + wired keyboard)
- best resolution possible (4K? not sure if this works with my 2016 model)
- USB3 speeds if I attach a disk (although I heard stories that sleep mode will cause issues with drives not being unmounted)

Cheers guys
 
fb3 said:
- USB3 speeds if I attach a disk (although I heard stories that sleep mode will cause issues with drives not being unmounted)
Click to expand...

Not possible without a Thunderbolt display due to bandwidth restrictions.

The 27UD88 does everything else you listed though. I've used one for nearly 18 months now - Windows and Mac. Any year 12" MacBook runs 4K@60Hz.
 
This definitely charges the MacBook and nice and fast. I’m not sure on the 2016 and 60Hz but the 2017 is for sure.
The single cable charges plus handles the video and sound. Not sure on USB stuff as I don’t use it.

It’s a gorgeous monitor with a gorgeous picture.
 
Ok. Would it be possible to put a usb-c to usb3 with usb-c out between the monitor and the MacBook? Would probably kill the bandwidth, too... ?

Also, you say I can run the screen with 60Hz on High Sierra with my early 2016? Did this change from previous versions?

Cheers
 
fb3 said:
Ok. Would it be possible to put a usb-c to usb3 with usb-c out between the monitor and the MacBook? Would probably kill the bandwidth, too... ?

Also, you say I can run the screen with 60Hz on High Sierra with my early 2016? Did this change from previous versions?

Cheers
Click to expand...

Not sure what you're asking in your first question.

Every 12" MacBook is capable of 4K@60Hz. Only for a brief period was the 2015 "soft-limited" to 30Hz - Apple removed that limitation relatively quickly, though.
 
Any recommended 21" to 24" 4k USB-C monitors for the MacBook?

fb3 said:
Ok. Would it be possible to put a usb-c to usb3 with usb-c out between the monitor and the MacBook? Would probably kill the bandwidth, too... ?
Click to expand...
The MacBook USB C port doesn't have enough bandwidth to support both USB 3 and 4K 60 at the same time.

You have a choice of either 4K 30 with USB 3 or 4K 60 with USB 2.

You won't get 4K 60 with USB 3 until likely the 2019 MacBook. You may also get quad-core at the same time too. Ice Lake Y will have both Thunderbolt support built-in and quad-core in a chip that works in the MacBook form factor.
 
Ok cool.

@andi91 I meant to go MacBook - usb-c : usb3 dongle with usb-c out to display... but since you guys said it’s a bandwitch issue preventing 4K and usb3 this will not work - so never mind... it‘s not super important

I mainly want a nice big screen with big keyboard and usb soundinterface attached permanently (plus charging)...

Seems I still had old info from the 2015 model re refresh limitation...

Thanks!
 
fb3 said:
Ok cool.

@andi91 I meant to go MacBook - usb-c : usb3 dongle with usb-c out to display... but since you guys said it’s a bandwitch issue preventing 4K and usb3 this will not work - so never mind... it‘s not super important

I mainly want a nice big screen with big keyboard and usb soundinterface attached permanently (plus charging)...

Seems I still had old info from the 2015 model re refresh limitation...

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I think the Apple USB-C to HDMI dongle is still limited to 4K 30 Hz. But you can get third party ones that will do 4K 60.

If you find third party USB-C dongles with both HDMI and USB, usually they will be 4K 30 plus USB 3, but occasional ones will do 4K 60 and USB 2.
 
You don't need any dongles with the 27UD88. Just buy the monitor, it works out of the box with the included USB-C cable.

Again, I've used it for coming up 18 months and am looking at buying another one to go alongside it for PC.

I use mine with a MacBook Pro and a PC. MBP uses USB-C, PC uses DisplayPort. They both pass audio through to my speakers which is really nice - no cable changes ever needed. I just tap my monitor's button twice to switch between PC and Mac.

FWIW, this is how I've set it up. Poor lighting - my girlfriend is doing her workout behind where I'm sat... :rolleyes:

ujmesTf.jpg
 
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andy9l said:
You don't need any dongles with the 27UD88. Just buy the monitor, it works out of the box with the included USB-C cable.

Again, I've used it for coming up 18 months and am looking at buying another one to go alongside it for PC.

I use mine with a MacBook Pro and a PC. MBP uses USB-C, PC uses DisplayPort. They both pass audio through to my speakers which is really nice - no cable changes ever needed. I just tap my monitor's button twice to switch between PC and Mac.

FWIW, this is how I've set it up. Poor lighting - my girlfriend is doing her workout behind where I'm sat... :rolleyes:

ujmesTf.jpg
Click to expand...
Yes I know. I was just commenting on the 30 Hz limitation.
 
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Thanks again for the info guys.

I think i’ll go for this one.

Just out of interest: are there any other displays with the same features (4K, usb-c, quality of screen etc) in 24”? Haven’t seen any...
 
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