Dec 7, 2018 - Apple neither supplies a monitor with your new Mac mini, nor presently makes one itself that you can use with it. However, plenty of other firms.
4K displays are becoming increasingly popular as they come down in prices, and even some 5K displays have been released over the past year, but there are lots of variables to consider before purchasing one for your Mac. This buyer's guide will help you determine the ideal 4K or 5K display for your MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Pro or Mac mini, based on compatibility, price, display technologies and more. Choosing a Resolution: Ultra HD vs.
5K The resolution of a display is simply the number of pixels on a screen based on its width and height. The term 1080p, for example, refers to a 1,920× 1,080 display, which translates to 1,920 pixels along the horizontal axis and 1,080 pixels along the vertical axis. Just like TVs, higher resolution displays have sharper, crisper images. Displays continue to advance at a quick pace; currently, the most common resolutions are between 1,920×1,080 and 2,880×1,800.
4K and 5K displays take a big step beyond that, packing millions more pixels than lower-resolution displays of the same size. Apple coined the marketing term 'Retina displays' to describe these ultra-high resolutions. A true 4K display has a resolution of 4,096×2,160 pixels, but most 4K displays you will find are actually 'Ultra HD' displays with slightly lower 3,840×2,160 resolutions - sometimes called.
5K displays have a resolution of 5,120×2,880 pixels, or about seven times the pixel density of a 1,920×1,080 display. Ultra HD: 3,840×2,160 pixels. 4K: 4,096×2,160 pixels. 5K: 5,120×2,880 pixels Bottom Line: Purchase an Ultra HD 4K (3,840×2,160) display if you want the widest selection and lowest prices. The resolution is still considered 4K-class and will be a significant step up from 1080p or 2K monitors.
Choosing a Port: Thunderbolt vs. HDMI 4K and 5K displays can be connected to Macs using Thunderbolt or HDMI cables. Thunderbolt ports on your 2011 or later Mac support Mini DisplayPort, a common technology for connecting external displays. Many external displays have Mini DisplayPort, meaning all you need to do is connect a Thunderbolt cable between your Mac and the monitor. Some displays, however, have full-size DisplayPort ports that require a DisplayPort-to-Mini DisplayPort (mDP) cable - sold on for under $10.
Most early 2011 to mid 2013 Macs use first-generation Thunderbolt, which supports DisplayPort 1.1a for a max video throughput of 8.64 Gbps. Simply put, virtually all pre-mid-2013 Macs are not powerful enough for 4K or 5K displays at a 60Hz refresh rate.
What is a refresh rate? A display's refresh rate is the number of times per second it can redraw the entire screen, which essentially determines the display's max frames per second (FPS).
A refresh rate is typically measured in Hertz (Hz), with three common frequencies: 60Hz, 30Hz and 24Hz. Ideally, if you are purchasing a 4K or 5K display, you will want to ensure that you have a Mac capable of driving the monitor at 60Hz - find your model at the end of this guide. Running an external display at 30Hz or 24Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI can result in mouse lag and choppy performance. Macs with Thunderbolt can support a refresh rate up to 60Hz, while HDMI can support 24Hz or 30Hz due to bandwidth limitations of the HDMI 1.4 spec.
Apple has yet to release Macs with HDMI 2.0, which can drive 4K and 5K displays at up to 60Hz. More details about HDMI can be found below.
In 2013, Apple adopted, which supports DisplayPort 1.2 for a doubled max video throughput of 17.28 Gbps - more bandwidth to push all those millions of extra pixels on 4K or 5K displays. Macs refreshed in Late 2013 or later have Thunderbolt 2 ports, allowing for one 4K display at up to 60Hz, or in some cases multiple ones with a powerful enough graphics card. Macs with Thunderbolt 2 compatibility include the. MacBook Pro (Retina, Late 2013 and later). Mac Pro (Late 2013). iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014 and later). iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015).
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015). Mac mini (Late 2014). MacBook Air (Early 2015). MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015 and later)In June 2015, Intel announced with a USB Type-C connector, instead of Mini DisplayPort, and an increased 40 Gbps throughput across two channels. Thunderbolt 3 continues to be based on DisplayPort 1.2.
Apple will likely release the first later in 2016, and those models will be able to drive or one 5K display at 60Hz. For those wondering, Apple could release a 5K Thunderbolt Display alongside Skylake Macs, but it may choose to wait until Intel's processor lineup supports DisplayPort 1.3. Macs with DisplayPort 1.3, which may not launch until at least late 2016, will be able to drive a 5K display over Single-Stream Transport (SST), eliminating the need for Apple to worry about syncing two channels over Multi-Stream Transport (MST). What is SST and MST? In order to achieve 4K resolution at 60Hz, most early 4K displays on the market used Multi-Stream Transport (MST), a technology that stitches two halves of a display together into one large surface - also called a 'tile' - in software. MST, supported on Thunderbolt 2 Macs, can carry a signal for two or more monitors on a single cable, allowing for daisy chaining or hub configurations of multiple 4K monitors. More recent 4K displays have started using Single-Stream Transport (SST), eliminating the need for stitching two halves of a display together in software.
Instead, SST monitors feature scalers that support 4K resolution at 60 Hz over a single tile. Ideally, if you are purchasing a 4K display, you should look for one that supports SST, since MST can cause issues with in-game menus, BIOS screens and scaling. What is daisy-chaining? Thunderbolt 2 Macs can daisy-chain multiple 4K displays using one Thunderbolt cable between each, as long as they have both a DisplayPort input and a DisplayPort output. Both the Mac and all displays in the chain must support DisplayPort 1.2, except for the last display which can be DisplayPort 1.1. In the image to the top right from, for example, Screen A, B and C are connected using a single DisplayPort cable between each. Screen A is then connected to the Mac, which recognizes the three as separate displays.
The capabilities of the Mac's video card determines how long the daisy chain can be. HDMI 4K displays and Ultra HD TVs can also be connected to compatible Macs with a built-in HDMI port, including select MacBook Pro, Mac Pro and Mac mini models listed below. MacBook Pro (Late 2013 and later). iMac (27-inch, Late 2013 and later). Mac mini (Late 2014). Mac Pro (Late 2013)The latest Macs have HDMI 1.4, which can only drive one Ultra HD display at 30 Hz or one 4K display at 24 Hz with no mirroring. Apple has not released any Macs with HDMI 2.0, which can drive a 4K display at 60Hz.
Bottom Line: Thunderbolt is better than HDMI because it can drive 4K and 5K displays at up to 60Hz, whereas HDMI is limited to 30Hz or 24Hz on current Macs. Thunderbolt is also compatible with DVI, HDMI and VGA monitors using Mini DisplayPort adapters, whereas HDMI only works with DVI. Choosing a Display While most 4K displays should work with compatible Macs, Apple officially supports the - some of their direct successors are listed.: 31.5' LED-lit Ultra HD IGZO display with 3,840×2,160 resolution at up to 60Hz. Includes 1 DisplayPort 1.2 port and dual HDMI ports. Supports MST. Not stocked directly on Amazon, but still available from some resellers like.: 24' LED-lit Ultra HD IPS display with 3,840×2,160 resolution at up to 60Hz.
Includes 1 DisplayPort 1.2 input, 1 DisplayPort output, 1 Mini DisplayPort and 1 HDMI port. DisplayPort-to-Mini DisplayPort cable included in the box.
Supports SST and MST in landscape or portrait viewing mode.: 27' LED-lit Ultra HD IPS display with 3,840×2,160 resolution at up to 60Hz. Includes 1 DisplayPort 1.2 input, 1 DisplayPort output, 1 Mini DisplayPort and 1 HDMI port. DisplayPort-to-Mini DisplayPort cable included in the box.
Supports SST and MST in landscape or portrait viewing mode.: 27' LED-lit IPS 5K display with 5,120×2,880 resolution at up to 60Hz. Includes 2 DisplayPort 1.2 ports and 1 Mini DisplayPort. 2 DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort, 2 DisplayPort-to-Mini DisplayPort and 1 Mini DisplayPort-to-Mini DisplayPort cables included in the box. Supports MST in landscape or portrait viewing mode.: 31.5' Ultra HD IGZO display with 3,840×2,160 resolution at up to 60Hz. Includes 1 DisplayPort 1.2 port and 2 HDMI ports.
DisplayPort cable included in the box. Supports SST and MST in landscape or portrait viewing mode. Sharp appears to have discontinued this model, but its MSRP was around $3,100 and it remains available through some resellers for upwards of $4,000. Bottom Line: Dell's 24-inch P2415Q or 27-inch P2715Q have received, and they are among the best 4K displays based on price and quality.
Both displays have up to a 60Hz refresh rate, support both SST and MST and include the necessary DisplayPort cables in the box. OS X 10.9.3 or later is required. OS X 10.10.3 or later is recommended for full 4K support. Supported Macs MacBook Pro 13' Early 2015: This model is equipped with two Thunderbolt 2 ports that can drive one 4K display at 60Hz or two 4K displays at 30Hz. This model also supports one 4K display at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one 4K display at 30Hz over HDMI.
15' Mid 2014 or Later: This model can drive with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M. The Mid 2015 15' MacBook Pro with AMD Radeon R9 M370X graphics can also drive one 5K display connected with two Thunderbolt cables.
15' Late 2013: This model is equipped with two Thunderbolt 2 ports that can drive one 4K display at 60Hz or two 4K displays at 30Hz. This model also supports one 4K display at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one 4K display at 30Hz over HDMI. 15' Mid 2012 and Early 2013: These models with dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics can allegedly drive one 4K display at 30Hz with.
MacBook Air Early 2015: This model's upgraded Broadwell processor and Intel HD Graphics 6000 enable it to drive one 4K display at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt. MacBook Airs do not have HDMI ports without the use of adapters. Early 2014 and older MacBook Air models have older Thunderbolt 1 and DisplayPort 1.1 specs, and outdated Haswell processors with Intel HD Graphics that are unable to drive 4K displays, although there appear to be some in our discussion forums that we have not independently confirmed. 12-inch MacBook Early 2015: These models can drive one 4K display at 30Hz, or one 4,096×2,160 display at 24 Hz, when you connect the display to your Mac using a. The 12-inch MacBook has no built-in Thunderbolt or HDMI ports, and the USB-C port cannot drive a 4K display at 60Hz. Early 2016: These models can drive one 4K display at 30Hz, or one 4,096×2,160 display at 24 Hz, when you connect the display to your Mac using a.
The 12-inch MacBook has no built-in Thunderbolt or HDMI ports, and the USB-C port is artificially limited by Apple to be unable to drive a 4K display at 60Hz. By, however, the 2016 MacBook can drive a single 4K display at 60Hz. IMac 21.5' Late 2015 Retina 4K iMac: This model can drive one 4K display at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one additional 2,560×1,440 display. 27' Late 2015 Retina 5K: This model can drive one 4K display at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one additional 2,560×1,440 display, and with optional AMD Radeon R9 M395X graphics, it can also drive up to two 4K displays at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt. This model can also drive one 5K display when connected with two Thunderbolt cables.
27' Late 2014 Retina 5K: This model can drive one 4K display at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one additional 2,560×1,440 display. This model can also drive one 5K display with two Thunderbolt cables.
Mac Pro Late 2013: This model is equipped with six Thunderbolt 2 ports, which can drive up to three 5K displays - two Thunderbolt cables per connection - or up to six Apple Thunderbolt displays. Apple also supports up to three 4K displays - two over Thunderbolt and one over HDMI - but it has been proven that connecting up to is possible with an external GPU. Early 2009 to Mid 2012: These models are not equipped with Thunderbolt 2 controllers to drive Ultra HD displays, but the original Mac Pro can be upgraded with an appropriate graphics card, such as the, which has three DisplayPort 1.2 ports for connecting multiple 4K displays. Mid 2006 and Early 2008 Mac Pros may also be upgradeable, but performance could be limited due to old hardware.
Late 2009 Mac Pro with upgraded NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 running dual 4K displays Mac mini Late 2014: This model can drive one 4K display at 30Hz over HDMI or Thunderbolt, or one 4,096×2,160 display at 24 Hz over HDMI. 60Hz is not supported because of the Late 2014 Mac mini's integrated Intel Iris 5000 graphics. Late 2012 and earlier Mac minis do not support 4K displays.
Choosing to Buy Now or Later In most scenarios, buy later. Apple will likely release the first with later in 2016, and those models will be able to drive or one 5K display at 60Hz. Those are the high performance thresholds that Mac users have patiently been waiting for since 4K and 5K displays reached the market three or four years ago. Plus, in the meantime, new displays could launch at lower price points. Many have been asking about Apple's own entry into the 5K display market, but due to the bandwidth limitations of current Macs, Apple may not release a standalone 5K display until late 2016, if ever.
Even then, you would likely need the latest Macs to power such a screen. If you do not plan on upgrading your Mac in the foreseeable future, and are okay with using one 4K display with most models, find yours in the supported Macs list above. If you do buy a 4K display now, and eventually upgrade to a Skylake Mac, it will still be compatible. Just remember that a 60Hz refresh rate, SST and DisplayPort 1.2 are highly recommended specs. I run a MacPro 2013 with two of the Dell P2715Q displays. They were working ok for a while.
They certainly look nice when working. However, as of 10.11.2 they don't wake up from sleep without unplugging them. They also don't show any boot screens or boot process for OS X or Windows under BootCamp for any revision of OS X, because they don't support the EFI BIOS. I've finally gone back to my Apple displays because all of these issues are a major annoyance in every day use. They also experience major issues in BootCamp with flickering and being generally unstable due to the poor driver support in Windows. The only way to get them to be driven reliably is to run only a single 4k monitor.
It just doesn't seem to be able to handle dual 4k displays very will with the current Bootcamp drivers. Nice first try on this article.
As I'm sure the writer discovered, one of the biggest issues to giving advice is the only way to know something FOR SURE is to test it yourself, and even then the next OS update can alter things. Some things missed or in error: 1. NMP 2013 is targeted to MST 60 Hz. Doesn't usually give boot screen support with newer SST 4K and above as a result.
The Dx00 drivers are designed for MST, Dell 5K support was added later. Article says to go for SST, then the very first display you recommend is an MST display, and you don't mention the fact. ASUS PQ321Q ('31.5' LED-lit Ultra HD IGZO display with 3,840×2,160 resolution at up to 60Hz.
Includes 1 DisplayPort 1.2 port and dual HDMI ports. Not stocked directly on Amazon, but still available from some resellers like B&H for $1,223.99 ('3. Using a GTX9xx is a great way to allow a 4K SST alongside a Dell 5K. But important to search for card with the 3 @ DP outputs.
Many lower-end versions only have 1 @ DP output, greatly reducing display options. The use of MVC flashed GTX75x or GTX9xx cards is only way for MP to have boot screens on 4K SST or Dell 5K. The use of these cards is problematic in that Apple has not EVER included drivers in the OS, so every OS update requires a little dance to get drivers running. Unflashed cards can be especially difficult as you don't see anything after an OS update. The other BIG plus to the Maxwell cards is these are ONLY GPUs you can put in a Mac with HDMI 2.0. This will become more important in point #4.
The BIG thing you left out is 4K TVs, as these are becoming THE way that most people get 4K in their home. And the VAST majority of these only have 4K SST connection via HDMI 2.0. As there are NO Macs with HDMI 2.0 ports, 99% of TVs on the planet will only run at 30Hz on a Mac, EVER. There may be DP to HDMI 2.0 adapters, but I have not tested them. One option is to get a Panasonic 4K TV with DP.
They are a little more $$$ but by allowing Macs to run 4K at 60Hz they are worth it. Many people use a 4K TV to game on. Since 99% of 4K TVs are 30 Hz only on Macs this is quite limiting. The ONLY GPUs that natively output 4K 60 Hz via HDMI 2.0 are Maxwell GPUs from Nvidia. Even the latest Fiji GPU from AMD is limited to 30 Hz HDMI. So I have found that MANY people are very disappointed when they fire up their shiny new 4K TV and find that their Mac is very limited in options to run it.
I am not sure if OSX drivers enable HDMI 2.0, I got tired of trying, but certainly one day they could, which would suddenly open up Maxwell updated cMP with 4K TVs to 60Hz in OSX. We offer the only GPUs that give a 4K boot screen on cMP.
There are inexpensive GTX760 cards that can run the 5K display at Full Res. I recommend the app 'Display Menu' for exploring the possible resolutions on these displays.
Pay for the upgrade and you can choose between retina scaled, and the blurry versions. (I have no affiliation with these guys, just have their product on all my machines). I run a MacPro 2013 with two of the Dell P2715Q displays. They were working ok for a while. They certainly look nice when working. However, as of 10.11.2 they don't wake up from sleep without unplugging them.
They also don't show any boot screens or boot process for OS X or Windows under BootCamp for any revision of OS X, because they don't support the EFI BIOS. I've finally gone back to my Apple displays because all of these issues are a major annoyance in every day use. They also experience major issues in BootCamp with flickering and being generally unstable due to the poor driver support in Windows. The only way to get them to be driven reliably is to run only a single 4k monitor.
It just doesn't seem to be able to handle dual 4k displays very will with the current Bootcamp drivers. I thought it was me. I have a Samsung UHD UD97Q monitor. It works OK on Yosemite, but experiences the same issues you describe when run under El Capitan (all versions). I'm now in the camp that Apple have abandoned us with the trash can MacPro. While I can get the monitor up on El Capitan in means using the HDMI connection and running at 30Hz - unacceptable.
My real disappointment is that the display is gorgeous at 4K and even the text is OK (31' screen). I keep hoping that we each new beta Apple will resolve the problem, but I'm not holding my breath. I did submit a problem under the Apple Public Beta program. Seeing how we are forced to use non-Apple monitors to get 4K, I'm not optimistic on Apple fixing this. It's really as shame, as it has me starting to think I may have to consider other alternatives. That's something I haven't done in years.
As someone who's job depends on instant information and screen real estate, I can hardly wait till I can connect 3+ retina screens to my Mac Pro. Does anyone have a guess if Apple might include full Displayport 1.3 with SST in their next Retina Thunderbolt Displays and rely on a 3rd party GPU manufacturer to include Displayport 1.3 in their cards (e.g. The next generation of AMD FirePro cards)? I'm specifically thinking about the Mac Pro in this context as they have never included Intel graphics. A couple of notes, including one contradicting MR in their article. First, I cannot stress enough considering upgrading to the best/fastest cabling.
I own, and use, two Dell P2715Q displays - the included cable generally suffices, and I used a few aftermarket cables but had lag issues. I used to build autocross cars back in the 80s (miss my Datsun 510 so much sometimes.) and learned about tuned exhaust systems and this is a bit relevant - install the best option you can afford.
I now use two Accell mDPDP cables for my displays, the DP-1.2 compatible cables - they're the only cables of that configuration on the DisplayPort.org web portal - I have no sleep issues, have no lag issues, see Color configuration options in the Displays Pref Pane I'd never seen before, my Dells are correctly identified without 3rd-party software. I can't stress that the Accell cables make my Dells (and BenQs, back at my main office) work perfectly. My Dells now work as well as they do on my Win PCs - I've donated all of my other DP cables. You spent $400-$900 on a decent 4k display - spend $19 on an Accell cable. Second, MR you need to fix this: ' 15' Late 2013: This model is equipped with two Thunderbolt 2 ports that can drive one 4K display at 60Hz or two 4K displays at 30Hz. This model also supports one 4K display at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one 4K display at 30Hz over HDMI.' To read: ' 15' Late 2013: This model is equipped with two Thunderbolt 2 ports that can drive two 4K displays at 60Hz with the dGPU version, drive one 4K display at 60Hz, or two 4K displays at 30Hz.
This model also supports one 4K display at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one 4K display at 30Hz over HDMI.' I own and use a late-2013 dGPU version and I'm happily driving two Dell P2715Q displays at up to 4k @ 60Hz, in either portrait or landscape mode, plus the internal display at full resolution, with OS X 10.10.3 - and they look great. I posted this tidbit in the P2415Q/P2715Q display thread months ago, and nothing's changed with the current OS release.
No lag whatsoever. I know that Apple's web site doesn't reflect this, but I notified them and they've blown me off. Don't blow me off, please? I was using CableMatters cables, but now am using Accell cables. Disclosure: I have no financial interest in any of those companies, but am attempting to dispel FUD about all of this. So your saying that when my P2415Q does not wake from sleep with my 15' late 2013 rMBP in clamshell mode it may be because of the cable that was supplied with the monitor?
Also, good to know that I could drive a second monitor as well. So the Dell P2415Q is ultra HD NOT 4k as it is referred to in the article and elsewhere. Yes, that's what I'm writing/saying.
I used the stock cable, and noticed that the cable was a bit warm, my rMBP would get hot, and my display(s) - sometimes I use one, sometimes two, sometimes two with my built-in display - and I had issues waking my displays. Short backstory. I was read an edict by the galpal to clean up my workspace, and I obeyed. I mixed up a long TB cable with one of my other mDP cables and couldn't find my Dell cable, and used the TB cable (DP 1.1a). The cable wasn't hot, my rMBP didn't get scorching hot, and the display woke up right away 100% of the time whether I opened up my rMBP, tapped a key on my rMBP keyboard (out of habit I tap the ESC key), or tapped the ESC key on a Logitech K811 BT KB that I use. Two downsides - I didn't want to use a $50 cable for my display and I noted a bit of 'lag' (please mods, don't hurt me for using the 'L' word?!). So, I did a bit of reading about DP compliance, and bought some CableMatters cables and some other brand I don't recall the brand names, looking for more throughput - no more lag, but I had a hot Mac and waking issues.
So, I dealt with it but kept reading from time to time. One day I couldn't deal with it any longer, read up on the manufacturer's web page at displayport.org, and bought a couple of the only DP 1.2-compatible cables with the highest available throughput, made by Accell - I bought the mDPDP in black, from Amazon, for $20 each (I bought two), and I'm considering buying two of the mDPmDP (one of the P2715Q displays also has a Mini Server connected, via HDMI so I can use the TB port. My rMBP runs cooler. My Dells wake 100% of the time when I want them to. The Dells no longer 'wake' then 'sleep'. There's no 'lag'.
I also use Spectacle for Finder Window management to move windows between displays - it's virtually instantaneous. In the Displays Pref Pane, my displays are listed as 'Dell P2715Q', and I no longer need SwitchResX to tell my Mac that (I recently wiped and reinstalled 10.11 clean, no restore - there's no traces of SwitchResX on my rMBP now. In the Displays Pref Pane, I have Color profiles available to me now that I didn't with the other cables - I know that sounds odd, but it's almost like my rMBP is actually reading more EDID info from the Dells now (I have other displays by Dell and BenQ in my office and they're all acting 'new' with the Accell cable). And, no hacks needed to see resolutions that only a 3rd-part utility/hack would provide - I have no 3rd-party utilities for displays on my rMBP. And, but not new with the Accell cables, I can get up to 4k @ 60Hz on both displays and full res on my built-in display. Best frickin' $40 I'd spent last year on hardware.
I put Accell cables on a few of our PCs, used for CAD work, and it was like the graphics cards were upgraded. The only downside is that we can't cook breakfast on the PCs now - they're running cooler too.:p And, my TB cable, which is DP 1.1a-compliant, provides the same info as the Accell - it's just the two drawbacks of cost and perceptible lag that would keep me from using a TB cable with my Dells. All of my other DP cables are in a bag that's going to Free Geek soon. I'm running A01 displays on my desk; I bought direct from Dell - I was about to send them back until my hunt started.