Timber Mountain
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Notebooks

Q: MacBook 12" and external monitors - experiences

As I haven't found much info on using a 12" MacBook with external monitors (but have found some problems) I thought I would post my experiences here for the benefit of other searchers:

 

MacBook 12" with Dell u3415w (3440x1440) via USB-C Digital Multiport AV Adapter (HDMI):

 

VIDEO: Was experiencing random black screens on external monitor. After updating to El Capitan version 10.11.4 which included a firmware update for the Adapter, the problem became constant, with the external monitor crashing to black every few seconds non-stop. Switching from the HDMI to the MHL port on the monitor completely fixed this problem.

 

VIDEO: I am only able to get a 2560x1080 scaled resolution to fill the screen, which is a little blurry but fine for desktop tasks - selecting scaled 3440x1440 or "best resolution for this monitor" results in a 16:9 windowed appearance, with black bars to the right and left. I have not as yet found a solution to achieve ultrawide 21:9 at the native resolution (but would appreciate one).

 

VIDEO: The Macbook 12 easily drives a 3440x1440 display for desktop tasks like word processing and surfing. Full video HD YouTube is generally good, though gets a little choppy now and then.

 

AUDIO: Holding Option and clicking on the speaker icon in the Menu bar reveals selectable option to output audio to the device (monitor). On this monitor, there appears to be an issue receiving the signal from the Macbook when another device is plugged into another port. In my case, a PC plugged in to the DisplayPort would "shut out" the Mac audio signal but ONLY if the PC was outputting audio via external speakers, not the monitor (a lot of trial and error to discover this. When the PC sent audio ONLY to the monitor, the monitor would then accept the Mac audio signal, too. But having an external speaker hooked up via the pc mobo's 3.5mm audio cable (minijack) would somehow override BOTH the PC and Mac audio signal to the monitor. Something going on through the DP connection perhaps)

 

with ASUS PB27Q (2560x1440) via same Adapter, no issues.

 

with ASUS PA328Q plus ASUS PB287Q (3840x2160 or "4K") via same Adapter. Extremely laggy cursor/desktop until you enable DP (Displayport) 1.2 via the Monitors' onscreen settings. This enables the Macbook to drive a 4K monitor at 30Hz, which is still a little laggy, but workable enough to be productive for word processing, surfing, etc. Would not recommend a 4K monitor for the Macbook 12 for a truly "enjoyable" experience until/unless 60Hz is an option.

 

Hope someone finds any of this helpful.

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 4, 2016 12:36 PM

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Q: MacBook 12" and external monitors - experiences

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  • by ManuelSchneider,

    ManuelSchneider ManuelSchneider May 23, 2016 11:28 AM in response to Timber Mountain
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    May 23, 2016 11:28 AM in response to Timber Mountain

    Mac Book 12 with external Monitor Acer H277 Hu with Usb c

     

    random Black screens

  • by slushieken,

    slushieken slushieken Jun 2, 2016 8:51 PM in response to Timber Mountain
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 2, 2016 8:51 PM in response to Timber Mountain

    Help!

     

    I am experiencing occasionally flickering on my external monitor with my Macbook 12 inch, throughout the day every few hours.

     

    Using an external monitor Dell U2515H, over HDMI, using Apple USB-C to HDMI adapter.

     

    Reading your info, I took heart that switching to MHL connection instead might solve the problem. U2515H supports MHL 2, on the existing HDMI ports (there is not a way to select or force it to use MHL mode, nor a way to tell if it is detected as MHL).

     

    I bought this generic adapter for that:

     

    USB 3.1 Type-C (MHL mode) to HDMI Cable Adapter (up to 4K) with A Micro USB Port for Power Supply

    by Generic

    Link: http://amzn.com/B01DOUBARY


    But the monitor does not leave sleep mode and does not get detected. Any advice? How did you do that?

  • by ricriley,

    ricriley ricriley Sep 1, 2016 6:39 AM in response to Timber Mountain
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 1, 2016 6:39 AM in response to Timber Mountain

    I have exactly the same problem, but I'm certain it's software related since I'm also running Windows 10 in bootcamp and without the black screens.

     

    Sort it out Apple!

  • by kenofstephen,

    kenofstephen kenofstephen Sep 6, 2016 11:17 AM in response to ricriley
    Level 1 (27 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 6, 2016 11:17 AM in response to ricriley

    Same here.

  • by roberto36,

    roberto36 roberto36 Sep 6, 2016 2:28 PM in response to Timber Mountain
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 6, 2016 2:28 PM in response to Timber Mountain

    Hello - I am experiencing the same black screen issue with my MacBook 12" connected to a DELL  P2715Qt.   I am confused as to how to connect to the MHL port. I tried a converter from Amazon HDMI (female) to Mini-DVI (which I guess is the same as MHL) to a HDMI cable into the Multiport adapter. That is not working as i don't get a signal on the monitor. What cable are you using from the USB-C adapter to the monitor? A link to it on Amazon or anywhere would help me. Very grateful for help as this is driving me crazy!

     

    Roberto