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Will my Macbook run a 4k monitor at 60hz?

H

HFoletto

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 30, 2013
59
9
Hello there, how are you?

Recently (less than 1 week ago) I got my Macbook Pro.
It's the top of line one (however not upgraded), the 15", 2.3GHz i7 and NVidia 750M.
I was waiting for the new Thunderbolt display, but it seems like I don't have to wait due 2 factors: Dell has a good variety of monitors with similar good quality, and it's way cheaper.

Well, before I got this macbook I used to think that Full HD was good enough for everything I do, it still is, but this display is so good looking, my wallpaper looks so sharp and beautiful, my iTunes and all the covers now with so much more details, really awesome!

At a bigger screen size the resolution should be somewhat higher, so maybe 4k is the way to go. Also I'd be ready to future when movies and more media will be in 4k.

The Dell UP2414Q is the one I'm looking. For me it has the perfect size, 4k, nice usb hub, nice design, 60hz.
However will my machine run it at 60hz or it will be limited to 30hz?

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help.
Have a good evening.
 
Last edited:
Currently, it will support 60 HZ at 4k in win 8 bootcamp. 30 HZ only in Mac OS so far - hopefully Apple will update the drivers soon.

I have the Asus version of that Dell monitor and 4k looks awesome.
 
sickntired said:
Currently, it will support 60 HZ at 4k in win 8 bootcamp. 30 HZ only in Mac OS so far - hopefully Apple will update the drivers soon.

I have the Asus version of that Dell monitor and 4k looks awesome.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, I was afraid of that.
Also thank you for sharing the Asus one, I'll have a look.

I'm also afraid that Apple will update it just with OS 10.10, and even make it only available to the new series of Macs. 60hz 4K would be perfect, here where I live the Dell one is like 30% cheaper than the Thunderbolt display, both at the oficial price.

Maybe I should stay with 1440p?

Are you using 4k with OS X or Windows?

Thank you.
 
I use 4K in both since it is sharper. I just accept that it is not as smooth in OS X.

My understanding is that even with the new Mac Pros, OS X is limited to 30 Hz with 4K. I am hoping that if they allow 60 Hz with a future update that someone will figure out a way to get it to work on other Macs that have Thunderbolt 2.
 
HFoletto said:
Thank you for the reply.

Yes, I was afraid of that.
Also thank you for sharing the Asus one, I'll have a look.

I'm also afraid that Apple will update it just with OS 10.10, and even make it only available to the new series of Macs. 60hz 4K would be perfect, here where I live the Dell one is like 30% cheaper than the Thunderbolt display, both at the oficial price.

Maybe I should stay with 1440p?

Are you using 4k with OS X or Windows?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Apple won't release an OS upgrade that can only run on the newest hardware for so many reasons (and you will most likely still have the newest hardware when the next major OS upgrade comes out).
 
simon48 said:
Apple won't release an OS upgrade that can only run on the newest hardware for so many reasons (and you will most likely still have the newest hardware when the next major OS upgrade comes out).
Click to expand...

Thank you for your input as well!

I think I was unclear, let me try again: I'm afraid that 4K 60Hz will be only available in OS 10.10 with the new hardware. I wasn't talking about older hardware with the new software, but the 4k 60hz feature only.

But since in the same hardware it runs on windows, I think that's only a software issue.

Thank you again!
 
HFoletto said:
Thank you for your input as well!

I think I was unclear, let me try again: I'm afraid that 4K 60Hz will be only available in OS 10.10 with the new hardware. I wasn't talking about older hardware with the new software, but the 4k 60hz feature only.

But since in the same hardware it runs on windows, I think that's only a software issue.

Thank you again!
Click to expand...

Oh, yeah. It's a software issue for sure.
 
As I understand it, it will only run 4K 30 Hz through HDMI, right? Not DP2.
 
Last edited:
HFoletto said:
Thank you for your input as well!

I think I was unclear, let me try again: I'm afraid that 4K 60Hz will be only available in OS 10.10 with the new hardware. I wasn't talking about older hardware with the new software, but the 4k 60hz feature only.

But since in the same hardware it runs on windows, I think that's only a software issue.

Thank you again!
Click to expand...

It's a software limitation, so I doubt Apple will only limit it the new computer.
 
alphaod said:
It's a software limitation, so I doubt Apple will only limit it the new computer.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking, but if I get one this monitor and in the future it will be limited to 30hz I'll be really sad.
But hopefully they will soon release an update that will allow us to enjoy 4k in 60hz.
 
HFoletto said:
That's what I'm thinking, but if I get one this monitor and in the future it will be limited to 30hz I'll be really sad.
But hopefully they will soon release an update that will allow us to enjoy 4k in 60hz.
Click to expand...

Or you can just stay in bootcamp the rest of your life ;)
 
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