“Superior” is subjective, and it depends on the use case. For productivity tasks, I would prefer the Studio Display XDR over any OLED monitor in the market. Also, older Macs can run other 120hz displays because of other factors, i.e.they have a much lower resolution.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
These Macs Can't Run the Studio Display XDR at 120Hz
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
abowlby
macrumors 6502a
Because it is an arbitrarily enforced "spec requirement."
Macusercom
macrumors regular
I wonder how far you can push it using AW EDID Editor. My 240 Hz 21:9 monitor can get 218 Hz using it but only 100 Hz without (as the monitor doesn't announce anything between 100 and 240 Hz)
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
Gating things behind Tahoe OS is the bigger offense to me.
dmr727
macrumors G4
UliBaer
macrumors 6502a
This is so obviously a blatant ripoff and OS26-push in bright daylight and even now Apple can do no wrong for some... 🤦♂️
So the M4 iPad Pro runs at 120hz but my M4 MBA doesn’t?
My MacBook Air runs my LG monitor at 120hz.
My MacBook Air runs my LG monitor at 120hz.
Last edited:
kaspurr
macrumors member
This monitor?
How are you connecting?
If it's the same as how I do on a similar monitor, that has USB-C displayport Alt mode. ie Displayport over USB-C
Woodcrest64
macrumors 65816
Even though a base M3 and M4 have Thunderbolt 4 interfaces with Display Port 1.4, the issue lies in what is called Display Stream Compression (DSC)
The base model M4 & M5 support more flexible use of DSC. With visually lossless compression, 5K 120 Hz becomes possible within DP 1.4 bandwidth constraints over Thunderbolt 4. Earlier base M-series implementations were more limited in how they exposed or negotiated DSC externally.
The base model M4 & M5 support more flexible use of DSC. With visually lossless compression, 5K 120 Hz becomes possible within DP 1.4 bandwidth constraints over Thunderbolt 4. Earlier base M-series implementations were more limited in how they exposed or negotiated DSC externally.
I love articles that start with "These Macs Can't Run the New Studio Display" and then proceed to list Macs that can run the new Studio Display. A+, MacRumors.
Last edited:
Is the restriction not caused by something physically missing on those older chips? Maybe the M1 chips etc, or something else inside those machines, cannot physically support it no matter what.
jonnysods
macrumors G3
Man my M1 Max didn't make the cut, what a ridiculous intentional limitation for a blooming monitor.
Its actually the opposite but not any less confusing. Mba with M4 supports it but not ipad pro m4.
The way apple wrote the requirements is confusing since it lists out devices that dont support it vs devices that do support it.
Those monitors have terrible value just like their predecessors. It looks like they just released new products for a niche / fanbase. Most enthusiasts / power users will find better options with competitors (LG, Samsung etc).
The fact that a MBP with M1 Pro/Max/Ultra can’t run the display at 120hz is pure joke especially at such a greedy MSRP
The fact that a MBP with M1 Pro/Max/Ultra can’t run the display at 120hz is pure joke especially at such a greedy MSRP
I think this is just a case where apple's scale doesn't match the sales. Is anybody else selling a mini-led local dimming 120hz 27" 5K panel? I can't seem to find it myself. At the level of scale they sell their monitors, it's probably not enough to bring the price down meaningfully.
Genuine questions:
- Does a non-Apple 5K display with 120Hz exist?
- If that would exist, would a M1 Pro be able to drive it at 120Hz?
So 120hz has nothing to do with a need for Thunderbolt 5, however there must be a display controller in the M2 and above Pro/Maxes etc... that can handle it.
djinn
macrumors 68000
So a 5k OLED display from a third party can run at 144hz on apple silicon but Apple's own screen can't? Make it make sense.
Return Zero
macrumors 68000
Sales should quickly have this below $3K, it comes with the nice stand included, and it's a more standard size than the old 6K... I actually think this will sell very well with pros/prosumers. The base model, though, could have really used either 120Hz or a price cut to 1299. 1599 with no new screen specs is kind of a joke.
Yeah, the early M computers had some surprising display and memory limitations. Definitely some steps backward in that regard.
Rychiar
macrumors 601
bradman83
macrumors 68000
Comments like this that delve into the technical reasons behind why things are or are not supported really need to be boosted more.