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Dell U4919DW / MacBook pro 5k issue

Hi,


I have just purchased the Dell U4919DW monitor to use with my early 2018 MacBook Pro 13", but unfortunately I cannot choose full resolution 5120x1440 in the settings, max is 3840x1080. I have tried the app SwitchResX to manually set the 5k resolution without luck, only scaled.


From this link I read about my MacBook before purchasing the screen that:

"this model supports a maximum resolution up to 4096x2304 at 60 Hz at millions of colors on two external displays or a single external display at a maximum resolution up to 5120x2880 at 60 Hz at over a billion colors via Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)."

MacBook Pro "Core i5" 3.1 13" Touch/Mid-2017 Specs (Mid-2017 13" (Touch Bar), MPXV2LL/A*, MacBookPro14,2, A1706, 3163): …


My MacBook Pro has 4 USB-C ports, I'm using the left ones which operate at full speed (right ones are reduced).


Why can't I get full 5k resolution? Is it an issue with the MacBook, the connection, the screen or perhaps an iOS issue?


Additional links with information on the screen:

https://www.dell.com/support/article/dk/da/dkdhs1/sln314416/dell-u4919dw-system- requirements-and-supported-configuration…

https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln314339/dell-u4919dw-monitor-usa ge-and-troubleshooting-guide?lang=en#Usi…

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-ultrasharp-49-curved-monitor-u4919dw/apd/21 0-arnw/monitors-monitor-accessories

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, iOS 12.1

Posted on Nov 21, 2018 11:09 PM

Reply
682 replies

Jan 8, 2019 3:13 AM in response to Desing4Paragon

@Design4Paragon


I can confirm following:

1, Mac with iGPU cannot drive this monitor in macOS at 5120x1440. That is why people are discussing here.

3, Macbook Pro with dedicated GPU can drive this monitor in macOS at 5120x1440. JimmyWillis at page 6.


We tried this out here at the office with a Macbook Pro 13" 2018 and an older Macbook Pro 15". The 15" works beautifully directly plug-and-play without any change settings. Impossible to get the 13" to get the full resolution in MacOS.

Jan 8, 2019 10:58 AM in response to Carl Loa Odin

I’ve read this a few times and thought I’d pitch in as my U4919DW is arriving tomorrow. I have a 13” MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.

Forgive me for clarifying but are we saying that even though Apple say: “Supports a single external display at a maximum resolution up to 5120x2880 at 60 Hz at over a billion colors via Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C).”

It doesn’t? Is that because the monitor is USB-C and not Thunderbolt 3?

And the Moshi Thunderbolt 3 to DP adaptor doesn’t overcome that limitation?

Jan 8, 2019 11:06 AM in response to jpri22

Yes correct.


I have the 13" MacBook Pro 2018 with Touch Bar and Dell U4919DW does not work as a single display over Thunderbolt 3.


Currently I have to use the display as 2 different displays by driving it with both USB-C and HDMI (another dongle) which really is a subpar experience since it's 2 cables and window management is a pain (you can't have a window in the "middle")


It seems to be a software limitation in MacOS.

Jan 8, 2019 11:40 AM in response to marino389

Philips states in the short PDF spec sheet compatibility with “Mac OS X” for the 499P9H:


https://www.download.p4c.philips.com/files/4/499p9h_00/499p9h_00_pss_.pdf


Quote: “Plug & Play Compatibility: DDC/CI, Mac OS X, sRGB, Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7”


(3rd page, middle column). So theoretically, this has to work :-)


Pro: The Philips offers, next to some SuperSpeed USB ports, a Gigabit ethernet “dock”.

Con: Couldn’t find a “local” (means: within Germany) dealer offering the Philips yet, found only one in Denmark. Seems to be a bit too early as Philips only just released this thing. Spec sheet is online, but the product can’t be found on the Philips page yet.


Jan 11, 2019 10:41 AM in response to marino389

Hi Everyone,


I just purchased a Mac Mini 2018 and Dell U4919DW Ultrawide Monitor, and like others here, I can't get video resolution out of the setup. I tried using the included USB-C cable and HDMI cable included with the monitor, no go. I do get high resolution when connected to my PC via Display Port Cable however so the monitor itself is working.


I called Dell, and their technical support was a complete joke. The lady on the phone basically said "If it works on a PC, it works", and wouldn't lift a finger to provide me with any ideas or suggestions, and refused to escalate the call to someone who knew the differences between cable types (She didn't).


I called Apple and the tech, David, tried alot harder, easily spending about 20 minutes with me trying to find the problem. (Apple tech support is why they always win my business). He was not able to solve the problem but has created a case # and escalated this to Apple Engineers. By Apple and Dell's own documentation, I should be able to get 1440 lines of resolution in my setup.


I ordered at USB-C to Display Port cable from Amazon which I should get tomorrow. Hopefully this will work.


If Apple is unable to fix the issue quickly enough I guess we'll just have to wait for the next OS Update. This sucks because I am LOVING my new Mac Mini and U4919DW Ultrawide. I just need the resolution to be what I am used to (I was using dual iMac 27" in shared desktop mode - loved it).


Anyway - Hopefully the Apple Geniuses will come up with a solution to this soon.



Jan 14, 2019 6:02 AM in response to mirkomil

One more customer looking forward upgrading to a Mac Mini + U4919DW.


I'll follow this thread and, needless to say, I won't be buying anything until this problem is solved.


Having to use the screen splitted in two or an eGPU is ridiculous and shouldn't be considered a valid solution whatsoever.


The problem is in Apple's Intel Graphic drivers and need to work this out along with Intel. Until they'll release and updated driver, there won't be a solution.

Jan 14, 2019 6:21 AM in response to don luca

I've had the U4919DW for a few days now.

Giving it two monitor feeds is, as discussed, the only solution for many (I have a Macbook pro 13" (2107) with touch bar).

It works but can be frustrating: You can see a colour difference down the middle, no matter how hard you try to calibrate.

I use BetterTouchTool and with custom snap areas I can divide the screen into three and snap windows which is neat but all the apps (including BTT) get confused. Many of them are designed to open the File dialog in the middle of the screen, many of the windows shift when you open another dialog etc...


It's workable and in my opinion worth it as it's a great screen. But I have had to compromise. I was running it off a USB-C signal and a USB-c to DP adaptor as two cables running from my Macbook which was just about acceptable but although I could plug a USB Gigabit network adaptor into the screen (hub), I couldn't get the same throughput compared to if it was plugged into the Macbook directly - which was a killer for me. So I still have to use my LandingZone docking station and I don't use any of the hub features of the screen.

I'm looking forward to not having to use the docking station (when Apple allow the Macbook to work with the resolution) but I think I will still need two cables from the MacBook (one for the screen and one for a network adapter)



Jan 14, 2019 3:20 PM in response to ghoffart

Technically, the Dell is compatible as well since you can use it as two-screens-in-one like Mark suggested, but for the premium price we're paying today for both Macs and those high-end monitors, it's absurd we have those kind of compatibility issues. At those price points everything should just work out of the box.


I wouldn't hold my hopes up for the other 32:9 monitors, this is an issue Apple (and Intel, likely) have to sort out themselves.


Actually, I'd love if someone could get in touch with Intel and explain our current issue. I think that Apple doesn't write the video drivers themselves, so instead of pestering Apple, maybe we should start asking Intel to look into Apple's video drivers.

Jan 14, 2019 6:55 PM in response to brumsterino

Of course. I am use 2 cables at the same time: 1 x USB-C cable, and 1 x HDMI cable, both of which come with the Dell Monitor.


To me this suggests that the problem is sitting somewhere in Mojave. We know the monitor works when connected to a PC, and we know the Mac Mini hardware drives the monitor at full res, and we know it works in "dual monitor / expanded desktop" mode like I have it setup. Some bit of code somewhere in Mojave is somehow not recognizing the monitor's native resolution, and it's just defaulting to 3840x1080. Let's go Apple!


Jan 16, 2019 3:55 AM in response to Mark from 2Much

For what it's worth, I have it working at 5120x1440 with a 15" MBP 2017 when using the latest CalDigit hub which has a DisplayPort (and then connects to the MacBook via USB-C.


There are periodic issues that occur when waking from sleep, including:

* Sometimes the display switches into mirroring mode when waking from sleep

* Sometimes the display does not detect a signal

* Once in a while macOS forgets that it can display the monitor at full resolution and lists 3840x1080 as the maximum


For me, all of the above issues are resolved by unplugging and replugging the USB-C cable between the hub and the MacBook.

Jan 16, 2019 4:44 AM in response to don luca

@don luca


Radeon Pro 560 4096 MB

Intel HD Graphics 630 1536 MB


As far as I can tell, the color depth is the same as it was with my 27" Cinema Display. I've looked through the Color Profile but honestly I cannot really make sense of it. Let me know how I can determine this information from the profile and I'll share. Thanks!

Jan 21, 2019 12:36 PM in response to yvon_k

This thread is now 11 pages long. No one can provide you personalized support on thread this complicated.


If you would like Readers to help you think about your specific issues, rather than these issues in general, PLEASE start a new thread, give it a Title that will attract the Readers you want to hear from, and include your Mac model and your MacOS version.

Dell U4919DW / MacBook pro 5k issue

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