Using Studio Display XRD and Pro Display XDR together

[michaelbeno]

I ordered the new Studio Display XDR and plan to use it alongside my Pro Display XDR (replacing the original Studio Display). I’m running an M4 Pro Mac mini and have been assuming there would be no problem running both displays at their highest performance specs (specifically, being able to run the Studio Display XDR at 120hz as primary display with Pro Display XDR in extended desktop mode).

Then I saw this YouTube video where the same thing was attempted but 120hz wouldn’t work on the Studio Display XDR while the Pro Display XDR was connected.

I’m guessing maybe it’s a potential limitation of daisy-chaining and that running each display from their own Thunderbolt port on the Mac mini will do the trick, but curious if anyone else has tested this.

I’ll report back in a couple days once I can test on my own but would appreciate any feedback in the meantime.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

From the Tech Specs:

• Up to two displays: One display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI

Since the PD XDR is 6k, I think that's the reason it's not allowing the SD XDR at 120 Hz. Haven't tried it myself though.

 

[michaelbeno]

Yeah I’ve read all the technical specs. Either Apple hasn’t updated this information to address compatibility with the Studio Display XDR’s 120hz functionality or they’re just being deliberately obtuse.

Regardless, my new Studio Display XDR arrived today and I can confirm it works flawlessly at 120hz while also supporting the Pro Display XDR at 60hz.

I tested it first using two Apple Thunderbolt 5 cables, with each display plugged directly into the Mac mini M4 Pro, then daisy-chained using the same cables (Mac -> Studio Display XDR -> Pro Display XDR), then swapped out the Studio Display XDR -> Pro Display XDR daisy chain cable to Thunderbolt 4, and all three connection methods worked perfectly.

 

[BeatCrazy]

@michaelbeno appreciate the reporting. I also have a Pro Display XDR next to my OG Studio Display.

Any anecdotal thoughts on the upgrade? Does it look just like a 'mini Pro Display XDR'? Better?

 

[michaelbeno]

Yeah it finally makes the two feel more like peers, and the biggest difference I’ve noticed in my short testing is just how black the blacks look on the SDXDR vs the PDXDR. In my previous setup, which was like yours @BeatCrazy, it was the other way around (where the OG Studio Display looked flat out dark gray next to the Pro’s black levels). I have nano on both displays and feel like the blacks stand out even more because of that.

Going to mess around with more content tomorrow, but the other (small) thing that gave me huge relief is how much better the webcam is. I’m on tons of video calls so now I can use the built in camera instead of an external one, simplifying the setup a bit.

 

[LoopsOfFury]

I ordered the new Studio Display XDR and plan to use it alongside my Pro Display XDR (replacing the original Studio Display). I’m running an M4 Pro Mac mini and have been assuming there would be no problem running both displays at their highest performance specs (specifically, being able to run the Studio Display XDR at 120hz as primary display with Pro Display XDR in extended desktop mode).

Then I saw this YouTube video where the same thing was attempted but 120hz wouldn’t work on the Studio Display XDR while the Pro Display XDR was connected.

I’m guessing maybe it’s a potential limitation of daisy-chaining and that running each display from their own Thunderbolt port on the Mac mini will do the trick, but curious if anyone else has tested this.

I’ll report back in a couple days once I can test on my own but would appreciate any feedback in the meantime.

The M4 Pro is pretty limited for multi-monitor support. I learned this the hard way when I connected my MBP M4 Pro to both the new Studio XDR and my 4K 144Hz LG monitor. If I connect the XDR first, it runs at 120Hz, but won't output anything to the LG. If I connect the LG first, it works like normal but the XDR is limited to 60Hz. It looks like the M5 Pro solves this problem.

You can find the supported resolutions and refresh rates for recent MBPs here:

How many displays can be connected to MacBook Pro - Apple Support

The number of external displays that you can use at the same time depends on your Mac model and the resolution and refresh rate of each display.

support.apple.com

For your particular setup, it looks like you’re in luck and won’t have this problem (probably because the mini doesn’t have an internal display). You can find the supported refresh rates for recent Mac minis here:

How many displays can be connected to Mac mini - Apple Support

The number of external displays that you can use at the same time depends on your Mac model and the resolution and refresh rate of each display.

support.apple.com

 

[rnb2]

Got a Studio Display XDR delivered today, and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't offer 120Hz with my BenQ 4k60 display plugged in. Tried different cables plugged into different ports, but the only thing that worked was....unplugging the 4k. Finally found this thread via a search, and discovered that my M4 Pro 14" is no different than an M4 when it comes to multi-monitor support - a bit disappointing, but not a deal-breaker.

Weird that display support for two monitors seems a bit crippled - it can do 2x6k at 60Hz, or 2x4k at 144Hz, but no mention of 5k at all. Some back-of-the-envelope math says that 5k120+4k60 is less than 2x4k144 or 2x6k60, so is there some technical reason why it's not supported?

 

[thenewepic]

Weird that display support for two monitors seems a bit crippled - it can do 2x6k at 60Hz, or 2x4k at 144Hz, but no mention of 5k at all

Apple didn’t update specs for some older mac models, but you can take existing descriptions and replace 8K@60 with 5K@120 there for your case.

Some back-of-the-envelope math says that 5k120+4k60 is less than 2x4k144 or 2x6k60, so is there some technical reason why it's not supported?

Apple has strict rules for connecting of external displays. M4 Pro MacBook can drive one hi-bandwidth display at the time and nothing else. But M4 Pro Mac Mini can drive hi-bandwidth display and additional 4K@60 (up to 144Hz, actually) at the same time.

 

[rnb2]

Apple didn’t update specs for some older mac models, but you can take existing descriptions and replace 8K@60 with 5K@120 there for your case.

Apple has strict rules for connecting of external displays. M4 Pro MacBook can drive one hi-bandwidth display at the time and nothing else. But M4 Pro Mac Mini can drive hi-bandwidth display and additional 4K@60 (up to 144Hz, actually) at the same time.

Point taken, but how is 2x6k not considered two high-bandwidth displays? That's enough data that the Pro Display XDR, saddled with mere Thunderbolt 3, had no webcam or audio and only 3 USB2 ports. Seems pretty high-bandwidth to me, but the M4 Pro can drive two of them. I know why the Mac mini can do it - no internal display - but the limitation on the MacBook Pro seems artificial, given what it can drive.

 

[thenewepic]

but the limitation on the MacBook Pro seems artificial, given what it can drive

yep, Apple has plenty of such limitations.
M1 Ultra can drive four 6K@60 displays but just one 5K@120 is not supported.
M1/M2 MacBooks can drive one external 6K@60 but two external displays (even as small as 720p@60 each) are not supported.
It is what it is.

At least M5 Pro has lifted the limit significantly so it supports two external 5K@120 at the same time.

 

[rnb2]

yep, Apple has plenty of such limitations.
M1 Ultra can drive four 6K@60 displays but just one 5K@120 is not supported.
M1/M2 MacBooks can drive one external 6K@60 but two external displays (even as small as 720p@60 each) are not supported.
It is what it is.

At least M5 Pro has lifted the limit significantly so it supports two external 5K@120 at the same time.

I unexpectedly solved my issue today: I found a pretty loaded, lightly used M4 Pro Mac mini (64GB/2TB) and traded in my MacBook Pro, since I don't need a laptop except when traveling, and with the XDR, no longer really need the fancy screen. I may get an Air or even a Neo for travel, but won't need that for at least a few months.