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User profile for user: yervand17
yervand17 Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Macbook Pro M1 Pro or Max Thunderbolt output resolution support

I have a question about MacBook Pro M1 Pro or Max. Can this device output via Thunderbolt 4K 120 Hz refresh rate with the right Thunderbolt cable to external monitor or TV which can support 120 Hz signal? This option is very important to me. This machine already is very powerful what i do so i do not need to buy M2 Pro or M3 Pro or Max just because power but what i need is connection resolution. I know that M1 Pro or Max has HDMI 2.0 which only support 4K 60Hz to external monitor and only M2 Pro or M3 pro and above has HDMI 2.1 which can support 4K 120Hz refresh rate to external monitor. So my point is if Macbook Pro M1 Pro or Max can support 4K 120Hz via Thunderbolt i can buy this machine instead of paying a lot of money and buy M2 Pro or M3 Pro just for HDMI 2.1 connection

iPad Air 3, iPadOS 17

Posted on Nov 12, 2023 10:37 PM

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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
133,231 points

Nov 13, 2023 11:04 AM in response to yervand17

4k 120 Hz requires a data pathway of HBR3 at 25.92 G bits/sec. That can be supported over DisplayPort 1.4 encapsulated inside ThunderBolt, but faster can not supported.


When they specify at all, Apple specifies it can support up to 60 Hz refresh.


DON'T consider HDMI as a ready alternative, its is very troublesome at higher speeds and higher refresh rates. adapters are hard to find, and when available, they get burn your skin off HOT.

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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
133,231 points

Nov 13, 2023 11:08 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

One more thing...

There is another unusual alternative for certain displays that support Picture-BY-Picture (a cousin of Picture-in-Picture).


That is to use two logical half-displays and two cables from the Mac, and picture-by-picture to re-assemble the image inside the display.


it sounds wonky, but it works really well with certain displays, and allows you to crank up the data rates without melting the interfaces.

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Macbook Pro M1 Pro or Max Thunderbolt output resolution support

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