2015 13"MacBook pro thunderbolt 2 to external monitor?

[Atomant669]

Hi guys, I have a trusty 2015 13"MacBook Pro with 2X Thunderbolt 2 ports and a HDMI port. May I know what is the best way to hook up an external monitor?

What are the accessories I need and any monitors to recommend?

 

[Chancha]

The TB2 port doubles as a mini DisplayPort also. If your monitor has DisplayPort input that would be the better connection since the HDMI ports on these generations of MBP has inferior specs than DP, particularly if you want 4k 60Hz.

 

[Amethyst1]

DisplayPort 1.2 which is available via the Thunderbolt 2 ports will handle up to 540 MHz pixel clock on that MBP, which is enough for e.g. 3840×2160 at 60 Hz or 4096×2304 at ≈55 Hz.
The HDMI 1.4 port is limited to 340 MHz pixel clock or even less, which will limit you to e.g. 2560×1600 at 60 Hz or 3840×2160 at 30 Hz.

So, you need a miniDisplayPort-to-miniDisplayPort or miniDisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cable, depending on what kind of DisplayPort input your monitor has (or is going to have if you haven't bought one yet).

 

[Atomant669]

DisplayPort 1.2 which is available via the Thunderbolt 2 ports will handle up to 540 MHz pixel clock on that MBP, which is enough for e.g. 3840×2160 at 60 Hz or 4096×2304 at ≈55 Hz.
The HDMI 1.4 port is limited to 340 MHz pixel clock or even less, which will limit you to e.g. 2560×1600 at 60 Hz or 3840×2160 at 30 Hz.

So, you need a miniDisplayPort-to-miniDisplayPort or miniDisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cable, depending on what kind of DisplayPort input your monitor has (or is going to have if you haven't bought one yet).

Thanks!

 

[pshufd]

I recommend the Dell Ultrasharp line of monitors. I have a 2015 MacBook Pro 15 hooked up to one of their 25 inch QHD monitors.

One note on 4k monitors with your 13: 4k monitors can get the fans spinning pretty hard.

 

[Diablo360]

These days most monitors will come with a few cables, at least the LG monitors do