13 inch MBPr early 2015 - 4k@60hz + one more monitor??

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epapir Author

Level 1

9 points

13 inch MBPr early 2015 - 4k@60hz + one more monitor??

Here is what I have:

MacBook Pro late-2015 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD

Sharp PN-K321 4k Monitor

HP 27 inch Monitor

My issue:

I have the Sharp running at 3840x2160 @ 60hz in SST mode via Displayport. Regardless of whether I have the laptop open or closed, I cannot get a second monitor to work. I have tried both HDMI and Displayport connections on the HP Monitor and a bunch of resolutions including 1920x1080 and 2560x1440 and as soon as I have the Sharp running 4k @60Hz, I cannot get the second monitor to work.

I have spent hours researching this and have seen posts where people say they have two 4k monitors running at 60Hz with the exact same MBPro. Is it possible to run two monitors off the 13" MBPro or am I doing something wrong?

Please help... getting very frustrated!

Thanks,

Erik

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch,Early 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 14, 2016 11:36 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

May 15, 2016 4:07 AM in response to epapir

Here are Apple articles regarding connecting to monitors and the possible configurations:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7562333

http://www.apple.com/shop/question/answers/product/MB571LL/A/can-i-connect-macbo ok-pro-to-two-monitors/Q7F2KKDYFKC747TD7

Ciao

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Answer 2

epapir Author

Level 1

9 points

May 15, 2016 10:31 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

OGELTHORPE,

Thanks for the link to that other Apple article, but unfortunately it did not work with my early 2015 13" MBPr. I am not sure which MBP that article was referring to, but I ordered the exact same StarTech Mini DisplayPort to HDMI active adapter, and it simply did not work.

If you have any other thoughts or ideas, please let me know.

Regards,

Erik

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

May 16, 2016 10:57 AM in response to epapir

I cannot add anything to the Apple support article. There is a possibility that your adapter is faulty. A genius bar appointment might be a good option. The evaluation will be FREE.

Ciao.

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Answer 4

epapir Author

Level 1

9 points

May 17, 2016 5:40 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thanks. Does anyone have any other ideas? I tried one of the Apple Mini-Displayport to VGA adaptors and got the same result. Basically, if I am running at 3840x2160 @ 60hz one one screen, I cannot add a second display of any connection type at any resolution. I have tried VGA, HDMI and Displayport at many different resolutions.

Can anyone confirm that the early 2015 13-inch MBPro Retina can support a second external display if the first one is 4k@60hz?????

Thanks,

Erik

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Answer 5

May 17, 2016 6:23 PM in response to epapir

2nd Display Support: Dual/Mirroring* 2nd Max. Resolution: 3840x2160 (x2*)

Details: *This model supports a simultaneous maximum resolution up to 3840x2160 on two external displays via Thunderbolt 2. Alternately, it can support a single display up to 3840x2160 via Thunderbolt 2 and a single 1080p display at up to 60 Hz, 3840x2160 at 30 Hz, or 4096x2160 at 24 Hz via HDMI.
Also see: How many external displays can the Retina Display MacBook Pro models support? What is the maximum supported resolution of each? Are adapters required?

from:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-i5-2.7- 13-early-2015-retina-display-specs.html

.

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Answer 6

epapir Author

Level 1

9 points

May 17, 2016 9:26 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant,

Thanks so much for this. I hadn't seen this site. They mention supporting two external displays at 3840x2160, BUT they don't tell you if that is at 30Hz or 60Hz! I am starting to think that this is just one of those impossible questions to answer!

Thanks,

Erik

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