Apple adds 5K support to MacBook Pro as target display mode remains absent for Retina iMac
The new 15-inch MacBook Pro has become the third Apple computer to ship with the ability to drive high-resolution 5K displays, but Apple's flagship 5K device -- the iMac with Retina 5K display --?continues to lack the popular target display mode feature.
Apple revealed 5K support for the latest 15-inch MacBook Pro revision in a Thursday support document update. The company says its latest power-user laptop can drive Dell's UP2715K 27-inch 5K monitor when equipped with the optional AMD Radeon R9 M370X graphics chip.
Previously, only the latest Mac Pro and iMac with Retina 5K display were certified for use with that monitor, which remains the only 5K monitor Apple officially supports.
Meanwhile, Apple has yet to enable target display mode for its high-resolution iMac. This popular feature, which until now was present on all Mini DisplayPort-equipped iMacs, allows users to connect their iMac to another Apple computer and use it as though it were an external display.
There is no official word on why Apple has not added target display mode for the Retina iMac, but bandwidth restrictions imposed by DisplayPort 1.2 are a likely culprit. That situation may change this fall, when Intel's Skylake platform --?which ships with DisplayPort 1.3 --?is rumored to begin rolling out and will likely bring with it wider support for 5K displays throughout Apple's lineup.
Apple revealed 5K support for the latest 15-inch MacBook Pro revision in a Thursday support document update. The company says its latest power-user laptop can drive Dell's UP2715K 27-inch 5K monitor when equipped with the optional AMD Radeon R9 M370X graphics chip.
Previously, only the latest Mac Pro and iMac with Retina 5K display were certified for use with that monitor, which remains the only 5K monitor Apple officially supports.
Meanwhile, Apple has yet to enable target display mode for its high-resolution iMac. This popular feature, which until now was present on all Mini DisplayPort-equipped iMacs, allows users to connect their iMac to another Apple computer and use it as though it were an external display.
There is no official word on why Apple has not added target display mode for the Retina iMac, but bandwidth restrictions imposed by DisplayPort 1.2 are a likely culprit. That situation may change this fall, when Intel's Skylake platform --?which ships with DisplayPort 1.3 --?is rumored to begin rolling out and will likely bring with it wider support for 5K displays throughout Apple's lineup.
Comments
And so appropriate that the article shows us a picture of the supported Dell monitor! Brilliant... and emphaszes the "missing" Apple product!
What a freaking joke.
27 inch 5k display?
What a freaking joke.
How so? I absolutely love my iMac 5K.
I came close to buying the 5K iMac to replace my aging 2009 model. I just felt it was let out of the oven a bit too soon. I wouldn't mind using my old iMac as an external monitor alongside the new iMac. They way they got the current Thunderbolt spec to run on 5K - while impressive - seemed more a bandaid approach until the new Thunderbolt spec would arrive alongside Skylake.
I see that 5K iMac at the store on those occasions I walk in, and it's a beautiful piece of hardware. Whatever iMac I buy next will be for the next 5+ years. I want to make sure it's what I want that justifies the money I will spend on it.
Wait, so how does the new MacBook support 5K if displayport/thunderbolt doesn't currently support it?
Using two DisplayPort cables.
BREAKING!!! The non-existent 17" MBPr continues to still not exist.
Larger 5k MBP incoming...
but please dont hold your breath.....
BREAKING!!! The non-existent 17" MBPr continues to still not exist.
I would buy one though. My reason is when I travel, I remote desktop into my Mac Pro or iMac 5K a lot because I need access to the internal network storage and servers and the screen size disparity with my retina MBP 15 makes things really small so I waste a lot of time zooming and panning. I have to admit that the new iMac 5K is really quite crisp even on the compressed remote view.
Meanwhile, Apple has yet to enable target display mode for its high-resolution iMac.
Do you mean no target display mode at 5K resolution or no target display mode at all?
First of all, because this is an Apple rumor site (or at least that's what it started primarily as). So it's frequently all about things rumored to come but not existing yet.
Second, because this is a feature that was present in previous iMac models and has been removed from this model. It's also quite a major and useful feature, unless you want your iMac to be a large door-stop when the CPU it has gets behind the times. So it makes sense to think of it as a "still not available" feature that will make a comeback.
You know, like the early iPhone didn't have 3G support or cut-and-paste, but everybody knew it would be coming. Those were "still not available" features too. There are literally tons of similar examples.
What doesn't make sense to me is why would you want all this spelt out to you. Isn't it obvious?
This is just software, likely fixed in the next OS X I bet.
No it's not. Target Display Mode works by having a DisplayPort switch between the graphics card and panel. The panel runs on eDP which is simply routed to an external port. The problem seems to be that the Retina panel runs a overclocked eDP link which exceeds the standards for current DP.
The 5k iMac is a work of art.
I can't wait for the Skylake one to arrive with a better gpu to push that 5k display. (Oh, and those 15 inch MacbookPro PCIe SSD speeds too...)
Then I'm on it.
Lemon Bon Bon.
Target Display Mode was a major feature for me in the past. It allowed me to have an iMac as my main computer, and a gaming PC under my desk, plugged in to the back of the iMac, and just press Command-F2 if I ever wanted to game.
Second, because this is a feature that was present in previous iMac models and has been removed from this model. It's also quite a major and useful feature, unless you want your iMac to be a large door-stop when the CPU it has gets behind the times. So it makes sense to think of it as a "still not available" feature that will make a comeback.
You know, like the early iPhone didn't have 3G support or cut-and-paste, but everybody knew it would be coming. Those were "still not available" features too. There are literally tons of similar examples.
What doesn't make sense to me is why would you want all this spelt out to you. Isn't it obvious?
And even with the refresh still missing.
So funny reading the comments... I've been into Apple since the 1st West Coast computer faire and Woz was my hardware mentor in high school and Jobs and I had many mutual friends. This is a bozo move (and yes they can technically support it... but it would cost a slight bit of money and hurt margins, though I would argue they'd get higher sales for those on the fence).