MacBook Air M2 and external monitor

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Level 1

12 points

MacBook Air M2 and external monitor

Hello ! I am looking for help on something I don't get.

I just bought a MacBook Air M2 - 10 core GPU - 512Go HDD. Everything is perfect, machine working properly. However. I have an external display that has an USB C entry.

Before, I was running my previous Mac mini M1 on this monitor (Asus Designo MX38VC) with no problem. Now, using the exact same cable, I noticed that the external monitor (laptop closed) is running at 30Hz.

Then I tried something else, I had a USBC to HDMI adapter from Belkin and connected my laptop to the monitor via HDMI through this adapter. And I can see my monitor is running at 75Hz.

I asked the question on reddit, and have been told my cable was maybe not that good and I must look for something that can sustain 40Gb, so I bought the Thunderbolt 4 Pro from apple (yes the very expensive one). But still ... 30Hz !?

So, question, how do I do to have my monitor run at 75hz using my new expensive cable?

Obviously I would not like to use HDMI and having an adapter on my desk together of having to use the magsafe for charging purpose.

anyone ? thanks!

MacBook Air Apple Silicon

Posted on Jan 4, 2023 12:30 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

bulldozer98

Level 1

18 points

Mar 18, 2023 11:36 PM in response to FlORkY

I am unable to get the Macbook Air M2 to work with a Dell, Samsung, or LG 4K external monitor using either HDMI or DisplayPort. The monitor will connect, but then from time to time the screen goes black and disconnects from the laptop for 1 to 3 seconds, then reconnects. I've had several Apple tech support calls and went Apple store today and had a meeting at the genius bar, took my 4K Dell display. This display worked with my old 2015 Macbook Pro and my HP laptops, no problem. At the Apple store they could get an M1 Pro to work with my Dell monitor, but not an M2 Pro. So they have escalated to engineering, but right now it looks like 4K external monitors don't work with the Macbook Air M2. Like to hear from any others that are getting the M2 Air to work with any 4K external monitors. Thanks.

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Answer 2

krisss85

Level 1

13 points

Feb 1, 2023 11:20 PM in response to FlORkY

I wish you good luck but no high hopes. My issue is still unresolved after few upgrades MacBook Pro 14" 2021 - unable to get 75Hz… - Apple Community

I have reported the case with Apple around 1 year ago with quite a lengthy investigation from their side. They admit the problem exists but without any commitment to fix it.

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Answer 3

AnnieL2

Community Specialist

Jan 7, 2023 2:52 PM in response to FlORkY

Greetings FlORkY,

Per the technical specifications for your Mac, MacBook Air with M2 chip - Tech Specs, we would expect that it “Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and:

One external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz

Thunderbolt 3 digital video output

Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)”

Use an external display with your MacBook Air

Have you been able to test using both Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports? How about adjusting the resolution?

If your external display isn't detected or appears blurry when connected to your Mac

Adjust the resolution

1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences, then click Displays.

2. In Display Settings, select the external display in the sidebar, then press and hold the Option key while you click Scaled to see additional resolutions.

3. Select a resolution, then click Done.

4. If the expected resolution doesn't appear for your display, check the specifications page to see what display resolutions your Mac supports.

Thanks.

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Answer 4

FlORkY Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 5, 2023 1:43 AM in response to krisss85

Thanks, I have called an Apple specialist, they promised me to call back after their investigation last Friday, but didn't had that call.

The below is my screen (Asus designo mx38VC) with the apple thunderbolt pro 4 cable as you can see this is also running Ventura 13.2 and the display is at 75hz.

I then remove that cable and plug it into that MacBook Air M2 supposedly supporting up to 6K at 60hz and then it switched back same resolution, same cable, same monitor to 30hz , I am very very disappointed of this acquisition. Seeing that, does that mean that Intel processors are best to handle monitors? Is the "support for 6K monitor" shouldn't be changed on apple website with "support apple studio monitor" ?

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Answer 5

FlORkY Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 8, 2023 12:43 AM in response to AnnieL2

Thanks very much for replying. So yes I tried both usb c port but that didn’t make any changes. I also put my external monitor to factory settings and unplugged it to see if a hard reset could help.

from my connectors on my display here is the specs, so it should be totally capable of handling this isn’t it ?

I/O Ports

USB-C x 1 (DP Alt Mode)

DisplayPort 1.2 x 1

HDMI(v2.0) x 2

USB Hub : 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A

Earphone Jack : Yes

PC Audio Input : Yes

USB-C Power Delivery : 60W

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Answer 6

FlORkY Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 31, 2023 11:53 AM in response to FlORkY

I did call today the apple assistance and the person will be investigate this , but apparently no clue.

I took the same apple TB4 PRO cable connected to my USB C monitor port and connected it to an older MacBook Pro 2018 and I reached, as per the spec of the monitor, 75Hz.

both MacBook Air M2 & MacBook Pro 15" 2018 are running Ventura 13.2

should I be worried that my MacBook Air M2 2022 is not supporting external monitor as promised?

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Answer 7

krisss85

Level 1

13 points

Feb 5, 2023 4:09 AM in response to FlORkY

I have exactly the same display and had no problem with Intel Mac as well. Apparently there is some compatibility issue between Apple silicon and its driver and this screen. I have also contacted Asus back in the days but they said it is Apple issue and hard not to agree with them. Let us know what Apple support says but since it appparently requires a software tweak for some relatively small group of users it will be hard to get any commitment.

BTW I also tried to force a different resolution with third party software but no help. In some early versions of MacOS 12 you could choose 75Hz but it didn't work. You might be lucky getting 60Hz over hdmi but it will also break one day.

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Answer 8

FlORkY Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 6, 2023 1:11 AM in response to krisss85

Glad to see I'm not alone (sorry) ... HDMI with the adapter is 60hz, but that's annoy me to have to use an ugly big white adapter, I want just a cable between the screen and the laptop as it should be.

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Answer 9

FlORkY Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 7, 2023 10:57 AM in response to FlORkY

So i get called from Apple support and from what I have been told , MacBook Air is not a MacBook Pro and this is normal that it could not sustain 60hz in 3840x1600 in usb-c , and that since I have the hdmi solution working it is not a problem.

i am highly disappointed by this lack of support and plan to go in the nearest Apple reseller where I bought the MacBook Air and try my screen with a MacBook Pro M2 in exposition to see if it does change … if not their say is then bullshit

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Answer 10

krisss85

Level 1

13 points

Feb 7, 2023 11:14 AM in response to FlORkY

Nice try from their side. I would be surprised if it works with Pro. At least I have the same problem with M1 Pro so unless they changed sth drastically with M2 you would see the same behavior. People do get 60Hz and more so it is imho a software related issue where macbook and this particular Asus display do not negotiate the right refresh rate.

I collected debug logs and passed it to Apple but I don't know if they found anything meaningful there. I couldn't wrap my head around these logs either.

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