Apple highlights iPad Pro's USB-C connectivity to an external 4K or 5K display
The change to new connector means you can connect an 5K high resolution monitor directly to your iPad alongside cameras, musical instruments and other peripherals.
Apple's new iPad Pro models come with edge to edge 11-inch and 12.9-inch screens but those aren't the only displays you can use them with. Each of the models can now simultaneously drive an external high-resolution display of up to 5K.
"A high-performance computer deserves a high-performance connector and so with these new iPad Pros, we're moving to USB-C," announced Apple's vice president of hardware engineering, John Ternus, at the company's October 30 event. "This brings a whole new set of capabilities to the iPad Pro like connecting to accessories that change how you use your iPad: cameras, musical instruments or even docks. Or connecting to high resolution external displays up to 5K."
He also said that the iPad Pro could "connect to data accessories and displays at the same time."
Apple says that the new USB-C connector, which replaces the previous Lightning one, supports a 5K monitor plus USB 3.1 Gen 2 high-bandwidth data transfers. The USB-C "alternate mode" protocol supports DisplayPort 1.3, which allows for 5120 x 2880 resolutions on monitors that will support it -- but those are few and far between at the moment. The LG UltraFine 5K display uses Thunderbolt 3 and not USB 3.1 type C, so as such, it cannot be used at 5K resolutions with the iPad Pro.
Both the iPad Pro 11 inch and 12.9 inch models are now available to order from $799 and $999 respectively. The iPad Pro models do not ship with USB-C display connector cables, but an Apple spokesperson at the Apple event says that it complies with USB-C "alternate modes" allowing for any USB-C to HDMI or USB-C to DisplayPort cable to be used for connectivity.
Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.
Apple's new iPad Pro models come with edge to edge 11-inch and 12.9-inch screens but those aren't the only displays you can use them with. Each of the models can now simultaneously drive an external high-resolution display of up to 5K.
"A high-performance computer deserves a high-performance connector and so with these new iPad Pros, we're moving to USB-C," announced Apple's vice president of hardware engineering, John Ternus, at the company's October 30 event. "This brings a whole new set of capabilities to the iPad Pro like connecting to accessories that change how you use your iPad: cameras, musical instruments or even docks. Or connecting to high resolution external displays up to 5K."
He also said that the iPad Pro could "connect to data accessories and displays at the same time."
Apple says that the new USB-C connector, which replaces the previous Lightning one, supports a 5K monitor plus USB 3.1 Gen 2 high-bandwidth data transfers. The USB-C "alternate mode" protocol supports DisplayPort 1.3, which allows for 5120 x 2880 resolutions on monitors that will support it -- but those are few and far between at the moment. The LG UltraFine 5K display uses Thunderbolt 3 and not USB 3.1 type C, so as such, it cannot be used at 5K resolutions with the iPad Pro.
Both the iPad Pro 11 inch and 12.9 inch models are now available to order from $799 and $999 respectively. The iPad Pro models do not ship with USB-C display connector cables, but an Apple spokesperson at the Apple event says that it complies with USB-C "alternate modes" allowing for any USB-C to HDMI or USB-C to DisplayPort cable to be used for connectivity.
Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.
Comments
I would expect that AppleInsider will have an in-depth review of these new iPads as the are a bigger upgrade than I was expecting. Probably bigger than most where expecting. In any event I hope you can spend some time diving into the USB-C port. My biggest fear is that devices will need an Apple “chip” or ID like hardware from the MiFi program. The types of drivers included with these iPads are also of interest.
What it it comes down to is this: as a hardware hacker will I be able to freely connect to things like the various Arduino cards. I know many will not care but iPad could really morph into something wonderful for the maker community. All it really needs is a way talk to the massive amounts of hardware out there that makes up the embedded world.
By by the way I’m think field use here of the iPad for software upgrades, data collection and hardware installations. With some well designed software IPad could really excel in the maker and embedded worlds. Not to mention controls engineering. It does require a change of heart from Apple though.
So how exactly will connecting an external display to your iPad work ? Presumably the external display will not be touch enabled, so how do I move the cursor around or select something on the external monitor? Will the external display be a mirror of the iPad screen, or will it extend the iPad screen? When I am looking at my iPads home screen, will I see additional icons on the external display?
From what I can tell, it’s a mirror.
That is the LG Ultrafine 5K. However, it would be running in 4K, as with a USB 3.1 type C connection, resolution is limited to the lower res. 5K is possible with a DisplayPort 1.3 display.