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New to 4K displays and Macbook pro...how setup?

M

MacbookPro2015

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 19, 2015
37
3
Hello MacRumors! Purchased a 2015 Retina MBP 13 inch - my first macbook pro and first computer capable of driving a 4K monitor.

I'm new to 4K displays - been using an old 1080p monitor for the last 5 years. From what I understand this new macbook pro 13 can drive a 60 hz 4K display with the display port (this is the same as the thunder port slot?) What if the 4K monitor doesn't have a display port? I was looking at the back of some of the larger 4K TVs from Samsung and didn't see a display port in the back (Or didn't recognize it at least) Only HDMI? Can I use a thunder port to hdmi adaptor to get 60z? Very confused to all this.

Essentially is there anyway to achieve 60hz with my MBP 13 2015 on something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-UN55H...&ie=UTF8&qid=1429468942&sr=1-2&keywords=4K+tv ?
 
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I am also on my first Macbook Pro -13" early '15 base but with the 256g HD. I have ordered this ASUS monitor http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-28-uhd-4k-monitor-black/7662137.p?id=1219285526706&skuId=7662137

From the little bit or research I've done you would only get 30 hz through HDMI even if you output from the Thunderbolt port on your Macbook. I think you need display port 1.2 to get the 60 hz and I'll need to get a thunderbolt to full-size display port adapter to connect to my new ASUS. I'll post a video of the performance.

Warning! I am still trying to figure this out myself.

Info from Apple. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202856
 
Last edited:
ByDesign said:
I am also on my first Macbook Pro -13" early '15 base but with the 256g HD. I have ordered this ASUS monitor http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-28-uhd-4k-monitor-black/7662137.p?id=1219285526706&skuId=7662137

From the little bit or research I've done you would only get 30 hz through HDMI even if you output from the Thunderbolt port on your Macbook. I think you need display port 1.2 to get the 60 hz and I'll need to get a thunderbolt to full-size display port adapter to connect to my new ASUS. I'll post a video of the performance.

Warning! I am still trying to figure this out myself.
Click to expand...

thanks, sounds like we're limited to 4K computer monitors rather than 4K television sets then? If one connects an appleTV, can they output 60z 4K using airplay instead of cables?
 
I think airplay is limited to 1080p @ 30hz plus you need HDMI 2.0 from the Apple TV which i think only does HDMI 1.4 for right now. It can start to get very confusing to a newbie such as myself.

----------

How about this. Can you go from display port 1.2 to a HDMI 2.0 adapter to a 4k TV with HDMI 2.0?

If Apple would release a firmware update to take our HDMI from 1.4 to 2.0 that would be a solution also, maybe?
 
Last edited:
If your TV only has HDMI ports it will NOT support 4K from your Macbook. You can connect and 4K monitor with a displayport.
 
I think I am gonna try this:

http://apple.stackexchange.com/ques...doesnt-recognise-dell-p2715q-over-displayport

That dell 4K monitor seems to be highly rated and looking at the amazon reviews and around the web looks like most new RMBP 2015 13in users seems to be getting 4K at 60hz.

Although it seems like a lot of reviewers are writing that connecting to a 4K monitor is making their 2015 13 RMBP come to a crawl....hmm :-( Maybe it would be better to just have two 1080p displays
 
Miltz said:
If your TV only has HDMI ports it will NOT support 4K from your Macbook. You can connect and 4K monitor with a displayport.
Click to expand...
It does support 4k over HDMI just not at 60 hz.

From Apple :
HDMI
You can use 4K displays and Ultra HD TVs at the following resolutions and refresh rates via the built-in HDMI port.
3840x2160 at 30 Hz refresh rate
4096x2160 at 24 Hz refresh rate (mirroring is not supported at this resolution)
 
ByDesign said:
It does support 4k over HDMI just not at 60 hz.

From Apple :
HDMI
You can use 4K displays and Ultra HD TVs at the following resolutions and refresh rates via the built-in HDMI port.
3840x2160 at 30 Hz refresh rate
4096x2160 at 24 Hz refresh rate (mirroring is not supported at this resolution)
Click to expand...

Thank You for the correction... 4K at 24Hz isn't really usable anyway. I thought HDMI tops out at 1920x1080. Perhaps they updated it to a new spec.
 
So for those of you with the new retina MBP 13 2015....is it sluggish when driving a 4K display at 60hz? several people have mentioned this on review sites of 4K monitors
 
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