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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

Apr 12, 2020 7:43 AM in response to joevt

As some users stated that this is an issue only concerning Intel based graphic cards - my experience is different.

I'm using a Mac Pro - Late 2013 with an AMD FirePro D300. Monitor is connected with a DP to MiniDP cable.

If I switch from the Mac Pro to my Lenovo Laptop with Windows 10 (same MiniDP cable) I get the full resolution instantly. Switching back to the Mac Pro it is at 3840x1080.

Apr 12, 2020 5:44 PM in response to FloScholl

The response that Apple engineers are stating through their senior advisors: The resolution is not supported due to the Intel based graphics cards that I have with MBP 2019 13" and that the AMD graphics cards doesn't have the issue. I bought this laptop with the intent of using the highest resolution capable and now it's not allowing me to do that (sigh). The specs shows that it is capable of supporting the 5120x2880 resolution with one display. It's blatant false advertising!! I've read a post that people can get the intended resolution with windows OS installed on their MBP. If that's the case, it can't truly be a hardware/intel graphics issue. Now I'm stuck with a fairly new laptop that I can't use with my new 49" Dell Ultrasharp.

Apr 13, 2020 2:16 AM in response to CeeLoSD

Did the Apple engineers explain why Windows Intel graphics can do 5120 x 1440 but Mac OS can't?


They say AMD graphics cards don't have the issue but what about the AMD GPUs in a Mac Pro 2013? They seem to have a different issue where the 5120 x 1440 resolution is allowed but appears a bit garbled on screen. Or has someone got it to work with the Mac Pro 2013?


There's a difference between "can't do anything" and "won't do anything". A solution is a new Intel graphics driver. But Apple has little incentive to add features to Macs you already payed for.


Apr 17, 2020 3:49 PM in response to marino389

Frustrated with the time for Apple to resolve this apparent software issue, I just purchased a 2019 MacBook Pro 16 and can confirm that it fully supports the LG monitor at 5120x1440 monitor. My 2019 MacBook Pro 13" was given to another family member.


I did try the dual-cable approach but I found that a compromise as well. At first it seemed workable but not having the menu bar across both screens was annoying. Occasionally when waking from sleep the displays switched and I was constantly invoking the Main/Sub Screen Change option on LG's input panel.


Now all I have to do is deal with the cpu panics when waking from sleep. Apple is apparently working on that issue too. I look forward to obtaining a stable state sooner rather than later. No matter what angle I pursue there always seems to be a compromise or caveat built in. :)

Apr 17, 2020 4:25 PM in response to ctfctf

I’ve spent about 10 hours with 5 different senior advisors and they still think it can be solved by troubleshooting, some blames the monitor, another one says the monitor does not support thunderbolt3. I give up. I have provided evidence that the above cases are not true but they can’t really go further than that. All I really want is some sort of replacement/ full price refund so I can get the mbp 15 or 16 which supports this resolution. I’ve been a happy with apple products except for this one issue. I wish apple stores are open. I think I’ll get better service from the store.


With so many folks having issues maybe a class action is the only way for them to do something for an advertised resolution capability that doesn’t work.


Has anyone able to get their MBP 13” to work with any other monitors at 5120x1440?

Apr 18, 2020 12:52 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I'm sorry, but this post is completely useless. Of course, a lot of data is transferred at large resolutions, which is nothing new. This applies to HDMI as well as DisplayPort. But if the Mac can operate 4k screens (3840x2160), then it will probably also be able to control 2.5k (5120x1440) - also via HDMI. And if HDMI is really critical - why does it work so well with all the Windows laptops out there? And even with BootCamp on our Mac's, it works very well via HDMI. You just have to pay attention to good cables.


However, it is the case that Apple has had problems with HDMI timing for ages - even with FullHD. But this is a macOS problem and not one of the cables or the transmission methods.

May 11, 2020 2:38 PM in response to Thaos90

The new 2020 MacBook Pro 13 inch has new 10th gen CPU with Gen11 graphics (don't get the MacBook Pro with the 8th gen CPU) which can support DisplayPort 1.4 and "Display Stream Compression" so it shouldn't have a problem with single link SST 6K (with DSC) or single link SST 5K displays.


MacBook has only USB-C. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro have Thunderbolt 3.

May 16, 2020 1:58 PM in response to theplaz

You are right with your assumptions with PbP. It works seamlessly, windows can be shared and stretched over both "screens" without "resistance". However, there are some issues. Regarding full screen, the setup works as you describe. You can have a full Youtube window on one side or shre just one screen with Zoom while the other still untouched. But this does not work with the Apple Full screen feature, because you have to disable the "multiple desktop" feature to stretch windows over both screens. With this feature enabled, windows will be cut in the middle, you can only see their left or their right. But with this feature disabled and using macOS Full Screen mode, the other screen goes black, you just see the Full Screen window. Still there is a solution. You can setup the double click on a window title bar to maximise the window. This also results in a full screen window, but the othger screen will stay reactive (and visible),


Two more issues: the top menu bar will onbly be seen on one screen. And the dock will stay either on the löeft or the right screen - as long as it resides on the bottom. Mine is on the right.

May 16, 2020 3:03 PM in response to theplaz

Yes, there is tearing when scrolling or moving a window - video play in a window does not create tearing. Minor issue to me, but depends. I use the "separate spaces off" option, because cut windows in the middle would be a major issue for me. On my 49 DELL there are no differences in color, using the same color profile for both sides. Regarding the background picture, I only use a color gradient picture from blue to orange, which I have duplicated and mirrored to avoid color differences. However, I found 32:9 pictures that can easily be divided in two, which results in a perfect widescreen background. For smaller images, mirroring should help.


Regarding the Fullscreen option, I still do not know why Apple blacks out any other monitor (or at least make it an option) I have used a three-monitor setup for ages (now 2 with the DELL and a small 13"-Selfmade FullHD monitor for Outlook), and as this blackout was the only option when they introduced the feature in 10.7, I never got really familiar with Full screen mode

May 16, 2020 3:34 PM in response to JeanLuc7

Extended Desktop was available in the Mac-II in 1987, if you had two display cards available. It has always been extremely well-behaved, and since it is implemented at System level, available to all Applications that are not incredibly sloppy.


"Full Screen" is a reverse-port from the iPhone, the land of tiny screens and one-at-a-time processing.

Dell U4919DW / MacBook pro 5k issue

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