Best external display for MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013)

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7 points

Best external display for MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013)

Hello,

For the first time I am looking in investing money in a very nice external display to connect to my MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013).

What I understand is that the internal display has a native resolution of 2880-by-1800 and in addition to that, the graphic card can drive up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on up to two external displays.

Given lack of space in my home office, I will probably use a vertical henge docks http://eu.hengedocks.com/pages/vertical-macbook-pro-retina and one single external display.

Can anybody suggest a very good display, at least 27", but better 29", 30" or 34" with following requirements:

- can run 2560 by 1600 at least at some kind of native resolution (don't want that ugly effect I get when I scale my MacBook Pro to a lower resolution)

- preferably support thunderbolt (for video and periferial connectivity)

- preferabily with USB 3 hub

- preferably with good quality speakers

- future proof, next year I will probably buy a new MacBook Pro and I assume external screen resolution will be much higher.

I ran into this http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/21-9-ultrawide-monitors/lg-34UC87M-B and it looked very appealing, but I was wondering if it could be driven by my macbook and what would happend when the native resolution (3440 x 1440) is scaled down to 2560 by 1600.

Any alternaive suggestion is more then welcome.

Thanks

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Sep 30, 2015 2:34 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 12, 2015 8:39 PM in response to horsepasture

Thunderbolt display, despite not having been updated since 2011, has Resolution: 2560x1440 pixels - is it the only real option?

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Answer 2

DrJJWMac

Level 1

88 points

Dec 13, 2015 8:01 AM in response to horsepasture

I might suggest that you consider getting the external as a second monitor (rather than a stand-alone for the MBP) and find the desk space appropriately. It makes a big difference to have two apps working in two different monitors. I know that OS 10.11 has the split screen, but that cannot compete with two monitors. As an example, I happily use external monitors that are at least 5-6 years old with my MBP (one of them on a small desk) even while the resolution of the second monitor is far worse.

In case you want to go this path instead, use the HDMI port rather than the thunderbolt/lightening port to drive the monitor. Get an HDMI to XXX adaptor as needed. Also, keep the focus to just a monitor and not worry significantly about the peripherals (USB port, built-in speakers ...). A multi-hub USB 3 and small Bluetooth speakers are not that much in space hogs -- they can easily sit under the new monitor.

--

JJW

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Answer 3

horsepasture Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 13, 2015 9:09 AM in response to DrJJWMac

I actaully ended up buying http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/21-9-ultrawide-monitors/lg-34UC87M-B and http://eu.hengedocks.com/pages/vertical-macbook-pro-retina as planned and are more then happy.

1 Thunderbolt connection from the dock to the screen and I get:

1) Screen connection

2) USB connections

3) Thundebolt connections

The wide screen is very well managed by OSX native splitscreen and I allo use a too "Better Snap".

I have added a Logitech Webcam C930e and I have a very professional and simple setup.

When I get into my office I just need to take the MBP out of its sleav and plug it as is inside the docking and all is perfectly connected and managed

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Answer 4

DrJJWMac

Level 1

88 points

Dec 13, 2015 9:32 AM in response to horsepasture

Thank you for the update.

--
JJW

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Answer 5

walkerk2

Level 1

0 points

Jan 17, 2016 10:25 AM in response to horsepasture

I am looking for a similar setup, connecting early 2013 MBP to external monitor. I have not had much success in terms of supported resoltion. What resolution is the external monitor you are using? Did you have to take any extra steps to get it working properly?

So far I've tried Acer B286HK ymjdpprz 28-inch UHD 4K2K (3840 x 2160) Widescreen Display with ErgoStand with an HDMI to DVI adapter and using switchResX. I'm yet to get a this working properly.

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Answer 6

mobil750

Level 1

0 points

Jan 18, 2016 3:02 AM in response to horsepasture

Hi gabebega,

I want to do the same as you (21:9 monitor with 3440x1440 resolution). For me it is essential that the Thunderbolt port supports this with 60Hz.

Would you be so kind to conform that your setup supports 3440 x 1440 @ 60Hz via Thunderbolt?

My MBP is from January 2014, so a bit newer than yours.

Thanks a lot in advance.

mobil750

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