The USB-C cable Apple gives you can only be used for charging, not data (so no video/audio).
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Using your MacBook with the new LG UltraFine 4K display (USB-C)
- Thread starter BeatCrazy
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The USB-C cable Apple gives you can only be used for charging, not data (so no video/audio).
well that makes sense. I've used the supplied cable and still no dice with it charging the laptop while it's off. It only chargers once the monitor is turned on. Also when I turn it on, i get an error message to (caution) make sure to use supplied input cables"
But i am using the supplied cable and i tried switching ends? Its the cable bad? I get video and it charges once the monitor is on.
I couldn't tell you I'm afraid, I only have a rMB right now and it works perfectly. The display does need to be 'on' for it to charge though - standby mode works.
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Ok so... apparently this monitor has built-in speakers! 
Didn't realize this until I plugged my brand new 13" MBP into it and all of a sudden the sound was much *bigger* then the MBP on its own. Seems to be a pretty decent quality sound, especially for the small package that it's in.
For whatever reason, the sound did not work with my 12" rMB 2015.
On another note, monitor response time is much faster with the new MBP then my previous machine.
Didn't realize this until I plugged my brand new 13" MBP into it and all of a sudden the sound was much *bigger* then the MBP on its own. Seems to be a pretty decent quality sound, especially for the small package that it's in.
For whatever reason, the sound did not work with my 12" rMB 2015.
On another note, monitor response time is much faster with the new MBP then my previous machine.
Ok so... apparently this monitor has built-in speakers!
Didn't realize this until I plugged my brand new 13" MBP into it and all of a sudden the sound was much *bigger* then the MBP on its own. Seems to be a pretty decent quality sound, especially for the small package that it's in.
For whatever reason, the sound did not work with my 12" rMB 2015.
On another note, monitor response time is much faster with the new MBP then my previous machine.
Have you gone from a 2015 rMB to a 13 TB MBP? If so, what was the performance difference like with the 4K display?
I'm using an LG 27" 4K monitor over USB-C but my rMB hates me for it. It runs at 60 Hz etc, but it really doesn't like running it! I am comparing to an absolute monster Windows PC I built myself though, so it's not really fair - would love your opinion since you've had both Mac laptops.
Thinking of making the same move, but am a tad put off by the rather underwhelming MBP line-up.
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Yea, the difference is significant. I would say 2015 rMB "works" with the Ultrafine 4K, but it would have issues playing 4K videos and the couple of times I tried using Final Cut Pro on it, I didn't get very far - wasn't usable. I would even have issues with lag when using MS Remote Desktop (Beta).
Now with this latest 13" MBP the display is behaving like it's actually part of the system, if there's extra lag, it's not visible. The lag was obvious on the 12". When dragging windows around, it acts just like the built-in display.
2015 rMB is a *great* machine but it's super portable and limited in what it can do on many levels. The monitor may be too big for it to drive, just too many pixels. Super glad I got this 13".
Thanks for the reply - that's given me some confidence to make the move.
I agree with you with regards to the rMB - I've absolutely loved owning mine, but driving 4K is simply asking too much of it. It's great at what it was built for, as you said.
I have the LG/Apple 4K with the 13" MPB and it works VERY well overall. I'm VERY pleased, much more so that when I had it previously paired with the 2016 12" rMB. The rMB was a bit laggy, but the MBP is snappy with it and it's a perfect match. Color, contrast, brightness and color profile seem to be a perfect match for the new MBP too No calibration was needed to get a match between the two!
No calibration was needed to get a match between the two!
I'm running the rMB 12" not MBPro 15", but I haven't noticed a problem with the charging when overnight even with the monitor turned off.
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I'm not sure what you mean by running at 4K and scaling the resolution or rather I do as I am doing it with my Linux build but can't figure out how to do the same on the Mac.
Just curious what people's experiences have been with the 4K and the early 2015 Macbook? I'm considering purchasing one, but I only do web surfing or watching videos, nothing intensive like Final Cut or Photoshop. Do you think the LG 2788UD7 or 32UD99 would be a better bet?
I returned mine because of image retention, and have had 4 LG panels in a row with retention.
Unpopular opinion time, but I suggest avoiding any LG panel.
what do you mean image retention issues? debating on buying the 4k for my 12 incher but when i called apple, they don't do AppleCare for the LG monitor with scares me a bit as i don't want to deal with people in India who can care less if something goes wrong.
I have owned 3 5k panels from LG in iMacs and 1 4k LG panel as a standalone monitor. All 4 of them developed image retention. If you complain about image retention to LG or Apple they tell you how to use screensavers to remove image retention etc. Ignorant users who haven't experienced the issue first hand here will also tell you this.
However, that's not the problem. The problem is, as time goes on, it takes less and less time for pixels to become stuck, and more and more time for them to become unstuck. After 1 month of use the panel will probably retain images that've remained still for 20 minutes, and fade after 1 minutes. After 1 year of use images on the screen for 3 minutes will remain stuck for 5 minutes. You're basically buying a monitor that starts to die from day one.
The problem with LG panels also only manifests itself with light colours getting burned in and being visible on dark blue or black. Therefore, many users will be completely oblivious that their panels are being destroyed over time until they're completely wrecked.
If I had 1 bad experience, or 2 bad experiences with LG 4k and 5k panels then I would accept the excuse that I just got a bad panel. 4 out of 4 LG panels being plagued with retention is not just bad luck. I have a beautiful 4k panel from ASUS (I think Samsung might make it) and I can leave an image on it for 24 hours without ANY retention. LG is cheaping out with us with their panels, giving us garbage and assuming the average user wont notice.
So I suggest AVOIDING this panel, and any LG panel. I highly suggest looking to ASUS instead, provided that you're not buying one of their models where LG makes the panel (not sure if thats the case).
Thanks but I also want a high detail monitor for my 12 inch MacBook. I had the 34 inch Dell untrawide 4k but the text detail doesn't compare to the MacBook. Also i broke the screen. Should i just live with 12 inched and wait for OLED USB-C stuff to come out at this price point?
I'd check out ASUS and Samsung, and before buying anything, make sure LG doesn't supply the panel.
My favourite 4k series of monitors is the ASUS PBxxxx family - decent image quality, excellent response times and ZERO retention issues.
LG has really good colour reproduction, but the image retention hell plaguing their entire production line basically makes all their monitors ticking time bombs which you would do well to avoid. You don't want to drop $800 on a monitor just to learn 2 years down the road that it developed pretty bad image retention and you're stuck with it.
To other people who want to push back on me, feel free to roll the dice and buy one but you wont change the fact that I got 4 / 4 LG panels with the same exact image retention issue developing over time.
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Works fine with the 27UD88, macOS 10.12.2 - I've watched loads of 4K YouTube to try the screen out!
Haven't yet had a single crash or wake issue, but it does seem to be common with any MacBook/Pro connected to an external display. I've had crashes at work when waking using the Apple AV Adapter -> HDMI 1080p.
I had this problem as well. I didn't dig into it too much but Chrome is messed up somehow, my 2015 MacBook was seeing CPU usage upwards of 97% just playing 1080p YT videos full screen on my 24" ultra fine. Switched to Safari and no problems at all, and I've been able to stream 4k TY videos as well.
anyone know if the Thunderbolt 3 cable from Belkin is any better than the stock USB-C cable that came with the LG 4K display?
I'm using the .5m Belkin cable with my LG 5K display and it works just fine. I don't know that it is any better though. The one downside is the Belkin is rated to only cary 60W of power while the LG cable can carry 85W. Won't matter if you are using the new 13" but may if you are a heavy user if the 15" since it uses the whole 85W.
same here. Own the Belkin shorter one with TB3. Dont know what the differences are but they both work.anyone know if the Thunderbolt 3 cable from Belkin is any better than the stock USB-C cable that came with the LG 4K display?
That is important info.
Anyone knows where and how to get a second stock USB-C cable from LG? I wasn't able to find it on their website. I have the Belkin USB-C to USB-C cable from Apple, but it doesn't fit as snug as the LG version.
http://www.lg.com/us/support-product/lg-22MD4K#manuals
I'm thinking of buying the 4K LG display for my 12" rMB.
1. How well does it work with the rMB? It seems people here complain of lagginess?
2. Are there any better or cheaper alternatives?
1. How well does it work with the rMB? It seems people here complain of lagginess?
2. Are there any better or cheaper alternatives?
1. In my experience with my 4K screen (not the UF series), the rMB is bearable when you're running a perfect scaling of 1x or 2x. In the case of the 4K UF, it's a perfect 2x when you run at 1080p.
2. I got the LG 27UD88-W. No built-in speakers/webcam.
I'm swapping my rMB for a MBP purely because the rMB cannot really handle a 4K screen to an acceptable performance level for my usage. Remember the rMB was never originally intended to be used in this way.