Ultrawide Monitors with Macbook Air 2020

[tommyparadise]

Anyone using an external ultrawide (e.g. 34") monitor with the macbook air 2020? How's performance? I'm looking at an MBA but an external monitor is essential for me. I'm looking at a new ultrawide (yet to decide the model, although something that can charge the laptop) but wondered how the MBA 2020 went driving a large display like this.

 

[hftvhftv]

It should definitely work fine since the new MacBook Air supports up to 6K resolution with the Pro Display XDR. You'll be spending a good chunk of change to get something that can charge a laptop and connects to the Thunderbolt 3 port though. My money is no object choice would be something like this LG model: https://www.monitornerds.com/lg-38wk95c-review/

 

[sixtydashone]

No reason it shouldn't work. I've been using my mid-2013 Macbook Air 11 inch with my ultrawide since like 2014 or 2015. Never had a problem.

 

[NauticalDan]

I’m deciding between the 2020 MacBook Air i5 or 2020 MacBook Pro 10th gen i5.

do you think connected the MacBook Air to a 38” display is going to cause any overheating, excessive fan noise, etc.?

My workload is mostly spreadsheets, word documents, web browsing, and video calls.

 

[hftvhftv]

I’m deciding between the 2020 MacBook Air i5 or 2020 MacBook Pro 10th gen i5.

do you think connected the MacBook Air to a 38” display is going to cause any overheating, excessive fan noise, etc.?

My workload is mostly spreadsheets, word documents, web browsing, and video calls.

Should be fine, the Air will sit at 100C CPU temps for a long while before increasing fan speed. What resolution is the 38" TV/Monitor?

 

[NauticalDan]

Should be fine, the Air will sit at 100C CPU temps for a long while before increasing fan speed. What resolution is the 38" TV/Monitor?

It's a 3840x1600 resolution. I'd keep the laptop lid closed.

 

[mr_jomo]

This thread has some insights on using the MBA 2020 with external, hi-res monitors.

 

[christophosphorus]

I'm currently powering LG's 49" Ultrawide (5120x1440).

One thing to keep in mind is that you will be running hotter because of the external monitor being connected (i.e. temperatures will start to peak faster, and you're likely to run into thermal throttling issues sooner). My average temperatures right now are around 65*C, and I have quite a few apps running. You WILL run into full fans and thermal throttling using videoconferencing software like Zoom or Google Meet, so keep that in mind.

I'm in the process of performing these modifications to get the laptop to run cooler. In the meantime, if you do end up going with an Ultrawide and need to control temperatures, look into disabling "Turbo Boost" and/or limiting the fan speeds with applications like Turbo Boost Switcher and TG (for fans). The latter is probably not recommended for most, but the former is the easiest way to decrease your temperatures by a considerable amount when you're doing normal day-to-day tasks.

 

[litat]

I'm currently powering LG's 49" Ultrawide (5120x1440).

One thing to keep in mind is that you will be running hotter because of the external monitor being connected (i.e. temperatures will start to peak faster, and you're likely to run into thermal throttling issues sooner). My average temperatures right now are around 65*C, and I have quite a few apps running. You WILL run into full fans and thermal throttling using videoconferencing software like Zoom or Google Meet, so keep that in mind.

I'm in the process of performing these modifications to get the laptop to run cooler. In the meantime, if you do end up going with an Ultrawide and need to control temperatures, look into disabling "Turbo Boost" and/or limiting the fan speeds with applications like Turbo Boost Switcher and TG (for fans). The latter is probably not recommended for most, but the former is the easiest way to decrease your temperatures by a considerable amount when you're doing normal day-to-day tasks.

will it be better to get MBP than MBA? I'm thinking to get 2020 MBA (i5/16gb) and run with my 34" ultrawide monitor. i'm worried about the temperatures, thermal throttling issues, etc. my daily workload is office work, web surfing, emails. hope to get some advice. thanks!

 

[Stjepo]

No reason it shouldn't work. I've been using my mid-2013 Macbook Air 11 inch with my ultrawide since like 2014 or 2015. Never had a problem.

Hi I am trying to make it run my macbook air 11 inch 2013 hook up with lg 34 ultrwide monitor so can you help me what cabal do I need in order to run it ..please advise me

 

[jemesouviens]

will it be better to get MBP than MBA? I'm thinking to get 2020 MBA (i5/16gb) and run with my 34" ultrawide monitor. i'm worried about the temperatures, thermal throttling issues, etc. my daily workload is office work, web surfing, emails. hope to get some advice. thanks!

MBA M1 arrived yesterday and works perfectly with Dell P3421W. I have similar daily usage and have thrown everything I usually do at it and it has handled it implacably.

My advice is to get it and try it out, can always return if it doesn't work out.