In this article, we’ll discuss the factors that determine whether your Mac is compatible with a 4K monitor. We’ll also provide some tips for choosing a 4K monitor for your Mac.

What is a 4K monitor?

A 4K monitor is a display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. This is four times the resolution of a standard HD monitor, which has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

4K monitors offer a number of advantages over standard HD monitors, including:

• Sharper images: 4K monitors can display images with four times the detail of standard HD monitors. This makes text, graphics, and videos look smoother and more realistic.
  More screen space: 4K monitors have a larger screen area than standard HD monitors. This gives you more space to work on or to enjoy your entertainment.

How to determine if your Mac is compatible with a 4K monitor?

There are two main factors that determine whether your Mac is compatible with a 4K monitor:

1. The Mac’s graphics card: The Mac’s graphics card must be capable of supporting 4K output.
2. The Mac’s operating system: The Mac’s operating system must support 4K output.

Mac graphics cards and 4K output

Most modern Mac computers have graphics cards that are capable of supporting 4K output. However, there are a few older Macs that may not be compatible.

To check if your Mac’s graphics card supports 4K output, you can use the following steps:

• Open the System Information app.
• Click the Displays category.
• Look for the Resolution section.

If the Resolution section lists a resolution of 3840 x 2160, then your Mac’s graphics card supports 4K output.

Mac operating systems and 4K output

All versions of macOS since macOS 10.11 El Capitan support 4K output.

To check if your Mac’s operating system supports 4K output, you can use the following steps:

1. Open the System Preferences app.
2. Click the Displays icon.
3. Click the Resolution tab.

If the Resolution tab lists a resolution of 3840 x 2160, then your Mac’s operating system supports 4K output.

Tips for choosing a 4K monitor for your Mac

When choosing a 4K monitor for your Mac, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Resolution: The resolution of the monitor should be 3840 x 2160.
2. Refresh rate: The refresh rate of the monitor should be at least 60 Hz.
3. Ports: The monitor should have the ports you need to connect it to your Mac.
4. Color accuracy: If you’re using the monitor for professional work, you’ll want to choose a monitor with good color accuracy.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about getting a 4K monitor for your Mac, it’s important to make sure that your Mac is compatible. By following the steps in this article, you can easily determine if your Mac is compatible with a 4K monitor.

Additional tips

In addition to the factors mentioned in the article, there are a few other things to keep in mind when choosing a 4K monitor for your Mac:

• Size: 4K monitors are available in a variety of sizes. Choose a size that’s appropriate for your needs.
• Price: 4K monitors can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Set a budget before you start shopping.
• Reviews: Read reviews from other users before you buy a 4K monitor. This will help you get an idea of the monitor’s performance and quality.

With a little research, you can find the perfect 4K monitor for your Mac.

The next iPhone launch is also just two months away now, and we’re continuing to hear rumors about what to expect from the next-generation models, while we’ve heard more this week about a rumored iPhone SE 4 and an upcoming external Mac monitor that could double as a smart home display.

Finally, Meta this week launched its Twitter competitor known as Threads, and it’s seen rapid uptake thanks to its integration with Instagram. Read on for all the details on this week’s biggest stories!

Everything New in iOS 17 Beta 3

Apple this week seeded the third beta of iOS 17 to developers for testing. The latest beta includes a few smaller changes for the iPhone, so be sure to check out our recap of everything new.

The first public beta of iOS 17 will be available later this month, according to Apple, and the software update will be released for all users with an iPhone XS and newer in September. Read our in-depth iOS 17 roundup to learn more about the update and new features.

Apple also released the third developer betas of iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17 this week.

iPhone 15 Pro Expected to Come in Blue

The iPhone 15 Pro models set to be introduced this September will be available in a unique dark blue color that has a gray tone, according to leaker Unknownz21.

Available in a new titanium material, the blue shade will have a brushed finish that is unlike the stainless steel Apple has used in the past. The color is similar to the blue Apple used for the iPhone 12 Pro models, but it appears to be darker and with more gray to better complement the titanium finish. Check out our article for renderings we created to demonstrate the new color.

iPhone 15 Pro Max Predicted to Be More Expensive Than Previous Model

The high-end iPhone 15 Pro Max will be more expensive than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which starts at $1,099, according to tech analyst Jeff Pu.

One reason the Pro Max might be more expensive this year is the device’s rumored periscope lens, which is expected to enable up to 5-6x optical zoom, compared to the current limit of 3x. The regular 15 Pro is not expected to have a periscope lens.

Meta’s Twitter Alternative ‘Threads’ Now Available

Facebook’s parent company Meta this week launched a new iPhone app called Threads that competes with Twitter. Thanks to Instagram integration, the app amassed over 30 million users as of Thursday morning, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

MacRumors is on Threads, as are several of our staff members, so be sure to follow us to keep up with the latest Apple news and rumors.

Apple Reportedly Working on Mac Monitor That Becomes a Smart Home Display When Idle

Apple is working on a new external monitor for Macs that also functions as a smart home display while not in use, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that Apple is developing multiple new monitor offerings, some of which are likely to be successors to its Studio Display and Pro Display XDR, and one that could have smart standby features powered by an onboard iOS chip.

iPhone SE 4: Here’s What the Latest Rumors Say

Rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE have been circulating since just months after the current model launched in 2022. This week, we recapped rumors about the device and potential launch timing.

The latest word about the fourth-generation iPhone SE comes from UBI Research analyst Dae-Jeong Yoon, who this week said that mass production of the device has been delayed until some point in 2025.

Top Five New Features in iPadOS 17

While iPadOS 17 has adopted almost all of the features that are available in iOS 17, there are also several additions designed specifically for the larger display of the iPad. In a recent video on our YouTube channel, we highlighted the best new features available for the ‌iPad‌ in the ‌iPadOS 17‌ update.

For more details about the update and new features, read our in-depth iPadOS 17 roundup.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we’ve covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

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Benefits of OLED technology for iPad Pro displays would include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio, greater color accuracy, and lower power consumption compared to existing models with LCD panels. Apple already uses OLED displays for the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models, excluding the lower-end iPhone SE.

iPad Pro models released in 2017 and later support ProMotion, allowing for a variable refresh rate between 24Hz and 120Hz. The switch to OLED would likely allow for the refresh rate to drop down even further to 10Hz or lower to save battery life. iPhone 14 Pro models can reach as low as 1Hz while in always-on display mode.

Apple will reportedly be using very thin hybrid OLED displays with a combination of flexible and rigid materials, which could allow for the iPad Pro to have a slightly thinner design. The panels will be costly to manufacture, according to Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants, so the next iPad Pro models will likely be more expensive.

The current iPad Pro models were released in October 2022 and feature Apple’s M2 chip, support for faster Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and hover functionality for the second-generation Apple Pencil. iPad Pro updates are often around a year and a half apart, so an early 2024 launch for the next models would make sense.

iPad Pro display sizes are expected to see a slight increase from 11 and 12.9 inches currently to 11.1 and 13 inches with the next models.

Omdia expects the first MacBook Pro with an OLED display to be released in 2027.

This article, "iPad Pros With 11-Inch and 13-Inch OLED Displays Expected to Enter Mass Production Early Next Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Earlier this year, JustWatch reported market share numbers for streaming platforms in the US during Q1 2023. Now the research company is back with updated numbers for Q2 2023, and while Warner’s now Max grew a little bit, most other platforms like Apple TV+ remained in the same place as before.

more…

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Solid-state buttons were initially rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models, but Apple reportedly faced “unresolved technical issues before mass production” and had to revert to mechanical buttons. Pu previously said the solid-state buttons would be postponed until iPhone 16 Pro models, but he now believes even those devices are unlikely to have them.

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic hinted at the solid-state buttons in a shareholder letter last year, but seemingly confirmed the plans were scrapped in May.

With a solid-state design, the buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro would not have moved when pressed. Instead, it was rumored that two additional Taptic Engines inside the iPhone would have provided haptic feedback to simulate the feeling of movement, similar to the Home button introduced with the iPhone 7 and the Force Touch trackpad on newer MacBooks.

iPhone 15 Pro models are still expected to feature a mechanical Action button in place of the Ring/Silent switch. It is likely that users will be able to assign the button to various system functions, such as Ring/Silent or Do Not Disturb.

With solid-state buttons now considered unlikely through 2024, it remains to be seen if Apple will ever move away from mechanical buttons on the iPhone. A benefit of solid-state buttons would be fewer moving parts that can break, and there is also potential for improved water resistance given there would be fewer points of ingress.

iPhone 16 Pro models are still over a year away from launching, so Apple’s plans for the devices remain subject to change.

This article, "iPhone 16 Pro Now Has 'Low' Chance of Featuring Solid-State Buttons" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In his latest research note, Pu predicted Apple’s larger of the two upcoming Pro models will see a price increase higher than the $1,099 staring price of the current iPhone 14 Pro Max. Pu has previously suggested price increases for the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ models, but this is the first time he has singled out the Pro Max as costing more.

Pu doesn’t specify why, but apart from a larger batter and display, the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max is widely expected to feature one major difference compared to the 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ – a periscope lens. Both Pro models will include telephoto lens technology as part of their three-camera array, but the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max is likely to exclusively feature a periscope lens that will enable 5x to 6x optical zoom, a notable improvement over the 3x zoom on the ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ models.

A periscope lens system generally uses a primary lens to capture a photo, with an angled mirror or prism reflecting the light 90 degrees toward a second lens that then sends it to the image sensor. The image sensor and secondary lens are positioned sideways inside the smartphone to extend focal length, and that takes up valuable surface area.

In his latest note, Pu also said he expects the iPhone 15 series to enter mass production in August, which would be in line with previous years when Apple’s iPhone lineup has been announced in September. Pu believes Apple will mass produce around 84 million units for the second half of 2023, with the two Pro models likely to be the most popular devices in the lineup in the first few months of launch.

All four ‌iPhone 15‌ models are rumored to feature a USB-C port, the Dynamic Island, and a slightly more curved frame, while 12 additional features and changes are rumored for the Pro models.

This article, "iPhone 15 Pro Max Predicted to Be More Expensive Than Previous Model" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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