Cannot connect 3440x1440 extern display to MacBook Pro (Early 2011)

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Cannot connect 3440x1440 extern display to MacBook Pro (Early 2011)

Hi!

I have an extern display, Philips "PHL BDM3470" with a native resolution of 3440x1440 pixels. It is connect via a MiniDisplayPort to HDMI cable to the display. The MacBook Pro is "Early 2011", the OS is 10.11.1. Unfortunately the "Displays" settings in System Preferences only allows for a screen resolution of 1920x1080.

Is there any chance to achieve the native resolution of 3440x1440? Should I use a different cable? Besides HDMI the display also accepts DVI and DisplayPort.

I've also tried SwitchResX control. It only provides a maximum resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. I've created a custom resolution with 3440x1440 pixels but its status is always "Not installed". That's why I can't select it. Rebooting the Mac didn't help as I read in a thread about SwitchResX.

I appreciate any help.

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11), Display: Philips PHL BDM3470

Posted on Oct 8, 2015 2:05 AM

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Answer 1

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GhonaZ

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Oct 8, 2015 3:21 AM in response to lars34

Your problem is that the maximum supported resolution is 2560x1600. So no matter what cable you will use you won't get the max resolution of your screen. So it would seem 2560x1440 is your max resolution that this combination of macbook and display will be able to get.

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011) - Technical Specifications

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-i5-2.4- 13-late-2011-unibody-thunderbolt-specs.html

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Answer 2

lars34 Author

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Oct 8, 2015 3:21 AM in response to lars34

Thank you for figuring that out, GhonaZ!

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Answer 3

jb8748

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Dec 15, 2015 5:43 AM in response to lars34

I have been using the LG version of this display (3440x1440) with a Mid 2009 MacBook Pro 13" for months and it gets the full resolution (although only at 50Hz).

The specifications for that MacBook Pro (MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) - Technical Specifications) say that it you only get 2560 x 1600 on the external display but 3440 by 1440 works. However I am connected using DisplayPort - a mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable.

I think I tried HDMI and got a much lower resolution. So if you still have this monitor I would suggest trying a good quality DisplayPort cable.

James

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