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Studio Display XDR Impressions
- Thread starter gsilver
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Tymscar
macrumors member
You say you dont understand what proofs I need and then provide me with something much more valid. That page is a really good point. It wouldnt however be the first time when Asus writes something that isnt the case in their FAQ. But now Im compelled to believe it.
Hello, I have a question. Could anyone please let me know which HiDPI resolutions are supported by Studio Display XDR at 120Hz? Specifically, is there a HiDPI mode with a 3840-pixel width?
I'm trying to understand how M4 and M5 chips interact with Studio Display XDR.
There is a long discussion on this forum. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/5k2k-at-120hz-with-mac-mini-m4.2441289/
Basically, M4 and M5 have a software-imposed limit on external display rendering width (around 6016 pixels for base M4/M5), which to 3008 HiDPI (Pro and Max have a slightly higher value). This can affect support for high-resolution ultrawide displays in HiDPI mode unless the system detects a high-bandwidth display such as 8K@60Hz or 5K@120Hz.
Given that the Studio Display XDR is clearly a high-demand display, I'm curious whether it triggers higher rendering resource allocation on M4 and M5.
Any information on confirmed HiDPI modes or testing results would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I'm trying to understand how M4 and M5 chips interact with Studio Display XDR.
There is a long discussion on this forum. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/5k2k-at-120hz-with-mac-mini-m4.2441289/
Basically, M4 and M5 have a software-imposed limit on external display rendering width (around 6016 pixels for base M4/M5), which to 3008 HiDPI (Pro and Max have a slightly higher value). This can affect support for high-resolution ultrawide displays in HiDPI mode unless the system detects a high-bandwidth display such as 8K@60Hz or 5K@120Hz.
Given that the Studio Display XDR is clearly a high-demand display, I'm curious whether it triggers higher rendering resource allocation on M4 and M5.
Any information on confirmed HiDPI modes or testing results would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I'm assuming windows? Cause on Bazzite the brightness controls works by default with no additional software 😎
The only issue I have right now is when I swap between Linux and Mac, the Webcam does not show up on the Mac side until I do a hard reset on the display.
These are the cables I'm using and I sometimes have the same issue. Not consistent, but I'll def lose the USB connection sometimes.
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Tymscar
macrumors member
Well look at that, you were 100% right. 120Hz works ootb on Linux, it's just windows that can't handle it.
Checked with Apple technical, because Apple sales passed me over to them, and confirmed I can test my laptop with the monitor in store. But I get the feeling I will know more about it then the staff will..
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It is 3200px wide on my local Apple Store demo, it was attaching to an M5 Pro MBP 16". Next after 3200 is already 5120.
(I only have M3 Ultra and M3 Max so cannot answer on M4/M5)
I went to Apple Store today and played with the Studio Display for a bit.
There were
- Two Mac Studios, one with M3 Ultra and one with M4 Max
- as well as one Mac mini with M4
- A store staff member also kindly lent me an M5 Pro MacBook Pro.
As you said, the scaled HiDPI maximum resolutions are:
- M4 Max, M3 Ultra, M5 Pro: 3200×1800
- M4: 2880×1620
These results are well in line with other people's findings from this topic.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/5k2k-at-120hz-with-mac-mini-m4.2441289/
It’s unfortunate that I couldn't use BetterDisplay to try custom resolutions. Because if the community's theory is correct:
- M3 Ultra can go up to 3840, regardless of refresh rate
- M4 can go up to 3008 at 60 Hz, but 3840 at 120 Hz
- M4 Max and M5 Pro can go up to 3360 at 60 Hz, and 3840 at 120 Hz
M3 Ultra and M4 Max Mac Studios don't have internal displays, and their 5120×2880 layout (which is unusable) is rendered in HiDPI! The text is sharp. This implies these chips can internally render a resolution of 10240×5760, pretty amazing.
In contrast, the M5 Pro MacBook Pro has an internal display, and its 5120×2880 output is not in HiDPI. I forgot to test it in clamshell mode, but this matches other reports. Apparently, its HiDPI width can't exceed 3840 pixels.
The M4 Mac mini, likely due to being less powerful, also does not render 5120×2880 in HiDPI.
The last pages are very "daisy chain" or "Windows/Linux compatible" heavy - anyone with some more first impressions on the XDR? I still cannot make up my mind on ASD 2026 vs XDR 2026 or the new coming up LG 27GM950B-B (most likely same panel but other coating).
I feel like this XDR can be the last monitor I would ever buy in my life ... (never say never tho)
I feel like this XDR can be the last monitor I would ever buy in my life ... (never say never tho)
Phoneless
macrumors newbie
Same here! HDR/120Hz in 32in size was what I was waiting for, but who knows when, or even if, such a panel will ever be made available to Apple.
xraydoc
Contributor
I was really hoping for a 32" 6K that wasn't $5,000+. I just want it mainly for productivity. I was soooo close to upgrading to the Studio Display XDR, but I already have Studio Displays (2022) and wasn't convinced the upgrade would be worth $3,000 over what I already had (I don't really need 120Hz and I'm not a photo/video editor, though I do require accurate greyscales). Ordered an Asus Pro-Art PA32QCV 6K instead. Hopefully I don't come to regret my decision. I guess we'll find out soon enough...
Tymscar
macrumors member
Based on your name you might actually find the XDR helpful because of their medical imaging mode
xraydoc
Contributor
Yes and no. I was very excited about the DICOM modes supported at first. But...
I can't use them on my PACS workstation that I use for primary diagnostic purposes — it's PC based and since there's no (current) software to control the color profile to switch into DICOM mode on the Studio Display XDR, that mode would just simply be inaccessible on Windows (along with, apparently, brightness controls). Additionally, 27" is pretty much too small for my purposes. It's ok for CT and MR, but too small for plain film CR/DR. I mean, it physically works, but I find I have to zoom in and pan around too frequently on, say, a CXR once I'm below 32" (and even then, it sometimes requires a bit of zoom). So the Studio Display XDR won't get me anything that I don't already have with the Barco 33" 6848 x 4656 DICOM display with 1,200 nits of brightness I already use. Well, it does get me 2,000 mini-LED dimming zones, but given the other limitations above, it's not a sufficient trade. If Apple were to release control software for Windows, however, that might factor in to something.
All modes, including DICOM, will be available on my Mac, of course. But I don't use my Mac for primary diagnosis (nor do I have a $25,000 Barco on it). My PACS software and dictation client isn't available for Mac and of course hospital IT security won't allow just any device to connect, even if it was. I could use a Windows VM, which would suffice, but there's still no way my hospital IT people will configure and grant access to it. They're NSA-level strict, which, given how much of a target large hospital systems are, I can understand. And, like I said above, 27" is small for some of the work that I do. High PPI or not, a chest x-ray at the height of a 27" display versus the height of a 32" display, and the 32" wins.
I do some legal consulting work on the side using my Mac and OsirixMD for imaging, and the DICOM mode would be useful for that, absolutely — but I'm not sure it is necessary. I've never not been able to see something on my current Studio Display (2022) that I could on a medical-grade display. Part of that is simply because the Studio Display 2022 has pretty darn good grayscale tracking to begin with. The other is that I'm not using it for primary diagnosis, so it's not really necessary from a regulatory standpoint. Besides, of all the legal cases I've consulted on, none have been because a finding was masked by the display the interpreting physician was using. I'm not consulted for "eye-tests", I'm consulted for medical decision making and management issues (both for plaintiff and defense work).
I also do some research and 3D renderings for teaching purposes, and use OsirixMD on the Mac for that as well. But the Studio Display XDR won't give me anything that's $3,000 better than what I already have. 120Hz isn't needed for static images, and it's not like pro-level photo/video editing where pin-point perfect color is required.
So, while I'd initially been interested in the DICOM gamma curve that's available, I'm not certain that it will provide $3,000 of usefulness for me in my particular situation.
But, what would be better on my Mac is a 32" 6K workspace over a 27" 5K workspace...
Went into the Apple Store, tested the new XDR with my works laptop and no matter what I tried I couldn't get it to go above 1080P 🙁 but....
I did try the nano texture new standard Studio Display, instant 5k over Thunderbolt and I gotta say, rearing my work documents from as best I could I think it was better. Because the XDR won't make much difference with documents. So I'm now thinking standard Studio nano texture, plug and play with both my computers too.
Everything else the XDR was better but I don't know if I dig mini LED???....
I did try the nano texture new standard Studio Display, instant 5k over Thunderbolt and I gotta say, rearing my work documents from as best I could I think it was better. Because the XDR won't make much difference with documents. So I'm now thinking standard Studio nano texture, plug and play with both my computers too.
Everything else the XDR was better but I don't know if I dig mini LED???....
Practical question: does the Studio Display XDR come with a 2-prong or 3-prong power cable? And, in the latter case (and if you are from Europe), did you get the standard Schuko/Type-F plug (often used in larger appliances) or the country-specific one?
ascender
macrumors 603
Just wondering, to those of you who believed their machine would be able to run two (or more) XDRs, but have since found that they won't work, what have you done?
Have you been able to return the monitors or your Mac?
In my case, my M5 MacBook Pro should be able to run both and Apple Tech Specs seemingly confirm this, but over the course of a couple of weeks talking to Support, have now said that this won't work after all.
Have you been able to return the monitors or your Mac?
In my case, my M5 MacBook Pro should be able to run both and Apple Tech Specs seemingly confirm this, but over the course of a couple of weeks talking to Support, have now said that this won't work after all.
I got an M4 MBP working with two at 60Hz, but it requires a stupid workaround with distracting a display engine. It’s annoying but sufficient for my needs, I suspect the same trick would work for you. I documented it earlier in this thread.
ascender
macrumors 603
I must have missed this, I'll have a look.
It's the standard, non-pro M5 chip which won't drive two at any resolution. Seems to be a common thing with some chips, particularly in laptops.
lgsoltek
macrumors newbie
I've been using a Studio Display XDR and a previous generation Studio Display with a Mac Studio M4 Max, running Sequoia 15.7.6 RC.
These few days I noticed that:
- I've been using the two displays with the previous gen daisy-chained to the XDR, and XDR plugged to the mac. Everything runs well, except when returning from sleep I often need to unplug and replug the displays for both to turn on.
- When I plug both displays directly into the mac (adjacent ports or non adjacent ports), after running for about 20 hours, the system starts to hang, the images get choppy, trackpad becomes less and less responsive... kernel_task process would run at over 200%. If I unplug the display(s) at this stage, none of them will turn on anymore. Only restarting the system would solve this, until about 20 hours later when it starts again...
It feels like the system is overloaded by the need to process images of both displays after a while. I used to have a Studio Display with a Dell 4k display and never had an issue like this.
Makes me wonder if it's an issue with Sequoia, or just the RC, or is it the same in Tahoe as well?
These few days I noticed that:
- I've been using the two displays with the previous gen daisy-chained to the XDR, and XDR plugged to the mac. Everything runs well, except when returning from sleep I often need to unplug and replug the displays for both to turn on.
- When I plug both displays directly into the mac (adjacent ports or non adjacent ports), after running for about 20 hours, the system starts to hang, the images get choppy, trackpad becomes less and less responsive... kernel_task process would run at over 200%. If I unplug the display(s) at this stage, none of them will turn on anymore. Only restarting the system would solve this, until about 20 hours later when it starts again...
It feels like the system is overloaded by the need to process images of both displays after a while. I used to have a Studio Display with a Dell 4k display and never had an issue like this.
Makes me wonder if it's an issue with Sequoia, or just the RC, or is it the same in Tahoe as well?
xraydoc
Contributor
I have three 2022-model Studio Displays currently on my M4 Max Studio (each plugged in directly to the Mac Studio) running Tahoe and have no such issues at all. My Mac runs months at a time without rebooting.
ascender
macrumors 603
I've got two XDRs running at 120Hz, daisy-chained, with an M4 Max Studio, running Tahoe.
I've had one crash in about a week of uptime, but I do still think there's some issues like you describe with these (and with bandwidth as well as memory usage) which need to be ironed out. I've not heard of anyone having issues like you're having though.