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What's the best way to connect an external monitor (Macbook Pro 2015)?

A

alexfc

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 13, 2012
62
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I've just bought an external display (Dell U2419H). I'm aware that since it's not 4k it won't look as good as the retina display, but should I connect directly via HDMI or should I buy an adapter?? I'm currently connecting it directly by HDMI, but the image doesn't look much sharp and I'm wondering If it will help to buy this adapter:

https://www.apple.com/us_smb_83039/shop/product/HHLN2ZM/B/belkin-4k-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-adapter

My display resolution options on system preferences settings are: 1600x900; 1080p; 1080i and 720p. I've read that this means the Macbook is recognizing the display as a TV, not a monitor, so I'm also wondering how to fix this.



Thanks.
 
The monitor has a max resolution of 1920x1080. Is the model number correctly identified in system preferences?

It should not make any difference as to how (HDMI or DP) it is connected to the MacBook as long as the cable and associated equipment is working properly.
 
Audit13 said:
It should not make any difference as to how (HDMI or DP) it is connected to the MacBook as long as the cable and associated equipment is working properly.
Click to expand...


Well, if the EDID is not getting transmitted correctly, even if the MacBook is sending a 1080p signal to match the display's pixel resolution, it may be over- or underscanning, mapping them incorrectly to the dots on the display. - Sometimes display manufacturers aren't as good about sending properly formatted EDID info through HDMI for some reason.

But in general, you are correct.
 
I have a 2015 15" MBP and it's currently hooked up to two Dell QHD monitors, one via MiniDisplay Port cable and one via HDMI. I've hooked up Dell WUXGA and HD monitors at 24 inches to it as well. The way that you hook it up does not matter. If you want a better picture, I'd recommend the U2518D - it gives you QHD in a 25 inch display and looks fantastic.
 
Can you scale the size / resolution?

My problem is that I'm short-sighted and have to seat close to the screen... can you make elements/fonts bigger like here?
adjusting_display.png


Or the OS just allows you to down-scale the resolution?
displays-low-resolution-1200x753.png


pshufd said:
I have a 2015 15" MBP and it's currently hooked up to two Dell QHD monitors, one via MiniDisplay Port cable and one via HDMI. I've hooked up Dell WUXGA and HD monitors at 24 inches to it as well. The way that you hook it up does not matter. If you want a better picture, I'd recommend the U2518D - it gives you QHD in a 25 inch display and looks fantastic.
Click to expand...
 
djivatma said:
Can you scale the size / resolution?

My problem is that I'm short-sighted and have to seat close to the screen... can you make elements/fonts bigger like here?
View attachment 835200

Or the OS just allows you to down-scale the resolution?
View attachment 835202
Click to expand...


Cheers, mate. This wasn't addressed to me, but I think I'll take a punt shot and answer it regardless. From one weak-sighted person to another ;)

For macOS to give the
,scale picker, it must consider the display Hi-DPI. QHD displays are not considered Hi-DPI. You can however achieve Hi-DPI scaling on them, but only @2x, meaning an effective screenspace of 1280x720 pixel-doubled.
It would not display the "scaled" menu from your original attachement

At least that was the case last I looked into it - though granted that was also before OS X/macOS gained non-integer scaling options properly.
 
casperes1996 said:
Cheers, mate. This wasn't addressed to me, but I think I'll take a punt shot and answer it regardless. From one weak-sighted person to another ;)

For macOS to give the
,scale picker, it must consider the display Hi-DPI. QHD displays are not considered Hi-DPI. You can however achieve Hi-DPI scaling on them, but only @2x, meaning an effective screenspace of 1280x720 pixel-doubled.
It would not display the "scaled" menu from your original attachement

At least that was the case last I looked into it - though granted that was also before OS X/macOS gained non-integer scaling options properly.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the answer, mate ;)

My research shows that the best option is 27" with 2560 x 1140. It has the 108,79 PPI density which is close to the Retina image.
 
djivatma said:
My research shows that the best option is 27" with 2560 x 1140. It has the 108,79 PPI density which is close to the Retina image.
Click to expand...

2560x1140? That's an odd resolution. 16:9 would be 2560x1440.

108.79 isn't really close to retina though. Retina is 220PPI ≈. Standard DPI ranges from 72-92 on most operating systems.
 
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Hello, I

I got a question regarding external display too.

I have Macbook Pro early 2013 and have checked Apple website and unfortunately early 2013 model is not able to support 4K monitor.

My question is, if I get a docking station that has Thunderbolt, would I be able to connect my Macbook to the 4k monitor?

I only want to use one screen, but would love to get 4k at 60 refresh rate.

Thanks in advance!
 
remymartins said:
Hello, I

I got a question regarding external display too.

I have Macbook Pro early 2013 and have checked Apple website and unfortunately early 2013 model is not able to support 4K monitor.

My question is, if I get a docking station that has Thunderbolt, would I be able to connect my Macbook to the 4k monitor?

I only want to use one screen, but would love to get 4k at 60 refresh rate.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
What machine do you have specifically? 13" or 15"? If 15", does it have the dedicated GPU (GT 650m/ GT 750M)?
 
casperes1996 said:
2560x1140? That's an odd resolution. 16:9 would be 2560x1440.

108.79 isn't really close to retina though. Retina is 220PPI ≈. Standard DPI ranges from 72-92 on most operating systems.
Click to expand...

Your, right pal! I put it wrong my goal is to have an image no worse than on iMac 27'' 2013 with 2560x1440 screen.

What monitor do you use?
 
djivatma said:
Your, right pal! I put it wrong my goal is to have an image no worse than on iMac 27'' 2013 with 2560x1440 screen.

What monitor do you use?
Click to expand...

I have three 25 inch Dell monitors at 2560x1440. They work well. I have a 27 inch Dell monitor at 4K arriving today and look forward to playing around with it. The 25 monitors are better at fitting on my desk and there's less head movement with the 25s than the 27s but I'm going to give it a shot. I don't expect any problems hooking it up to my 2014 MacBook Pro.
 
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pshufd said:
I have three 25 inch Dell monitors at 2560x1440. They work well. I have a 27 inch Dell monitor at 4K arriving today and look forward to playing around with it. The 25 monitors are better at fitting on my desk and there's less head movement with the 25s than the 27s but I'm going to give it a shot. I don't expect any problems hooking it up to my 2014 MacBook Pro.
Click to expand...
I second the Dell 25" 1440p monitors. I have 2 of them and they work fantastically over a displayport connection. I have them connected to a eGPU, but previous to that I was using a usb-c to displayport connections for these monitors.
 
Painter2002 said:
I second the Dell 25" 1440p monitors. I have 2 of them and they work fantastically over a displayport connection. I have them connected to a eGPU, but previous to that I was using a usb-c to displayport connections for these monitors.
Click to expand...

They work fine using the HDMI port too. You can find cheaper monitors that get the job done but the Dell monitors are height-adjustable (you can put them in portrait mode if desired), handle multiple input types and come with port hubs.
 
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pshufd said:
They work fine using the HDMI port too. You can find cheaper monitors that get the job done but the Dell monitors are height-adjustable (you can put them in portrait mode if desired), handle multiple input types and come with port hubs.
Click to expand...
I do use them with HDMI to my work Lenovo, but I've heard various people run into issues with not getting a good refresh rate with HDMI.

Displayport has always been the most consistent for me so that is what I use on my MacBook Pro, which I use for editing and gaming (in bootcamp). But you are right that in most cases HDMI works just fine.

I particularly love the stands on the Dell Monitors, personally they are the best stands you can have for a monitor.
 
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