Dell P2715Q and P2415Q 4K IPS Displays

[cmm]

Just got the rMBP with 750m last night. 60 Hz. SST to the P2415Q via TB/mDP to DP cable is perfect plug and play. Haven't tried via the Iris Pro only (which sys report says is running the internal display when the Dell is active), or a second monitor via the 2nd TB port. I won't try it either. The two TB ports share a single bus and you're just asking for trouble doing that. OTH a 1920x1080 via HDMI might work at 30 Hz for static disc and vids, but I don't know what bus that comes off of, point being, Apple says, if you can, run a single 4K display from a single TB bus and put nothing else on it for optimum performance. As for daisy chaining 4K, forget about it. Again, asking for trouble.

Thank you. I will buy this computer and one Dell 27" 4k monitor. I wish I could run two but one is better than none especially since people report running it at 2560x1440 and it is beautiful...text just as crisp as 1920x1080. I really don't wanna get a Mac Pro as that means Id have to still keep my laptop and keeping two machines in sync is a pita. I can live with only one external display to keep me from having to keep two computers in sync.

Last question, I'm not clear from your last post, but can I use the other TB port for my OWC 2 bay SSD RAID enclosure? If not can I run it off the Dell P2715Q?

Thank you!

 

[xav8tor]

Last question, I'm not clear from your last post, but can I use the other TB port for my OWC 2 bay SSD RAID enclosure? If not can I run it off the Dell P2715Q?

Thank you!

Yes, but you're still using one TB bus, so in intensive i/o ops, you may see some anomalies. I haven't done the bandwidth calculations, but I wouldn't expect much of a problem, especially if it is just used for storage and backups etc. Besides, you should see better disk speed from the rMBP SSD.

 

[zeppo2]

anti-glare

So of those of you now using the P2415Q or P2715Q monitors, what do you make of the anti-glare that ra004e complained about. He did state that he may be more sensitive this factor than others because he seeks clear text for coding, so perhaps it is a non-issue for the rest of you. But it does have me concerned a bit if it is diminishing the text clarity to a great degree, because like ra004e, I am looking to add the external monitor for writing code.

If I don't get one of the above, I'll get the U2515H like ra004e (or maybe the U2715H).

 

[stempsons]

So of those of you now using the P2415Q or P2715Q monitors, what do you make of the anti-glare that ra004e complained about. He did state that he may be more sensitive this factor than others because he seeks clear text for coding, so perhaps it is a non-issue for the rest of you. But it does have me concerned a bit if it is diminishing the text clarity to a great degree, because like ra004e, I am looking to add the external monitor for writing code.

If I don't get one of the above, I'll get the U2515H like ra004e (or maybe the U2715H).

if using a hidpi resolution, the text is visually equivalent to that of a retina display macbook. i'm running the 2415q with a mac mini, and also have a retina macbook pro. both computers are running similar hidpi (mini is at 1920x1080 hidpi, and the macbook is at the best for retina setting). the screen coating is a non issue for me, even though i'm totally accustomed to the glossy screen of the retina macbook. i write text contracts all day long and do photo editing as a hobby.

 

[ra004e]

So of those of you now using the P2415Q or P2715Q monitors, what do you make of the anti-glare that ra004e complained about. He did state that he may be more sensitive this factor than others because he seeks clear text for coding, so perhaps it is a non-issue for the rest of you. But it does have me concerned a bit if it is diminishing the text clarity to a great degree, because like ra004e, I am looking to add the external monitor for writing code.

If I don't get one of the above, I'll get the U2515H like ra004e (or maybe the U2715H).

Want to mention I have not seen AG coating on P2715Q so I have no idea what effect it has. The issue with AG coating on P2415Q was once you scaled smaller than "best for display" 1920x1080 I started to really notice AG coating. Don't forget that "best for retina" is effectively 24" 1920x1080 real estate, so for coding the P2715Q may be a better fit with scaled resolution @ 2560x1440. Others with this display might want to chime in.

Depending on hardware you are using you may only be able to get "best for display" looks like 1920x1080. My 13" 2013 rMBP would only do "best for display" looks like 1920x1080 @52Hz on P2415Q, however riMac 5k had these options for P2415Q

Apple Scaled resolutions
1504x846
1920x1080 Best for display
2304x1296 matches riMac’s Best for display setting ( apparent size )
2560x1440
3008x1692

Not trying to push the U2515H, but you have 25" panel @ 2560x1440, great AG, tight pixel pitch, low power, and works great with all hardware. I mostly spend the day with 5k iMac and for me it's by far the best display available at the moment for my usage, however I use the U2515H very often through out the day and have no issues going back forth. I still have the P2415Q which I plug in time from just to be sure I wouldn't rather be using it, and I totally prefer the slight reduction in resolution compared to the "dirty", "lifeless" look of my P2415Q. My unit is not bad, I just don't personally like it. This is my opinion and in no way am I trying to say anything negative about it, it has it's place and for what it is, it's a good display. To me for what it is, the U2515H is a really great display.

 

[cmm]

So of those of you now using the P2415Q or P2715Q monitors, what do you make of the anti-glare that ra004e complained about. He did state that he may be more sensitive this factor than others because he seeks clear text for coding, so perhaps it is a non-issue for the rest of you. But it does have me concerned a bit if it is diminishing the text clarity to a great degree, because like ra004e, I am looking to add the external monitor for writing code.

If I don't get one of the above, I'll get the U2515H like ra004e (or maybe the U2715H).

FWIW, I have used many Dell monitors in the past with the anti reflective coating and have never had a problem coding. I think some photo professionals prefer glossy screens which is why the Apple Cinema Display is glossy but it has many drawbacks. I prefer the Dell screens I've used over the TB ACD that I also own.

Hope that helps.

By the way, I just asked an online rep and they gave me a $200 discount on the Dell U2715Q after receiving a phone call from a Canadian # an hour later...

 

[theSeb]

Yes, but you're still using one TB bus, so in intensive i/o ops, you may see some anomalies. I haven't done the bandwidth calculations, but I wouldn't expect much of a problem, especially if it is just used for storage and backups etc. Besides, you should see better disk speed from the rMBP SSD.

Even though it's running off one TB bus, it does not mean that that the bandwidth is shared between the display port signal and the data. You will get the full TB bandwidth available on the second TB port, even with the monitor plugged into the first TB port.

I was confused about this myself a couple of months ago, because 99% of reviews and articles on TB suggested that the DP signal and data share the bandwidth from one TB bus. This is not the case. A TB bus does share the DP signal across both ports though, just to be clear, and hence why Apple suggests to plug in monitors into separate TB busses on the Mac Pro.

 

[xav8tor]

Even though it's running off one TB bus, it does not mean that that the bandwidth is shared between the display port signal and the data. You will get the full TB bandwidth available on the second TB port, even with the monitor plugged into the first TB port.

I was confused about this myself a couple of months ago, because 99% of reviews and articles on TB suggested that the DP signal and data share the bandwidth from one TB bus. This is not the case. A TB bus does share the DP signal across both ports though, just to be clear, and hence why Apple suggests to plug in monitors into separate TB busses on the Mac Pro.

Well that's good to know. I hope you're right because I have a G-RAID TB external drive and a 256 GB drive I pulled from my nMP (replaced with 1 TB) that I plan on putting in a TB enclosure to use with my rMBP when needed, but I hope it doesn't cause any stuttering during a presentation on the 4K displays due to saturation. I'll test all of this out soon enough...still installing apps and just admiring the thing right now!

 

[Don909]

I just got the P2715Q and love it - sharp and the height/tilt adjustments are excellent.

I am using a late 2013 Mac Pro and used the supplied Display Port cable. I like the 3008X1692 60hz resolution best (Display Menu Pro from App store works well for me).

I have no wake from sleep issues.

I did notice some choppy/jerky video on some web sites. When I decreased the resolution the problem was eliminated. This does not happen much and the fix is easy.

Don

 

[Aboo]

Hey guys, thank you very much.
So here are the steps for a 2415q:

1. Use the Dell Cable (mini displayport to displayport). Might as well since it comes for free.
2. Make sure in the monitor's menu the MST setting is OFF. That is the default.
3. Download switchresx. Click onto the 2415q in the left tab. Don't mess with the display information tab. Go into the Custom resolution tab.
4. Hit + and add a custom resolution. Pixel clock is 450. Horizontal active is 3840, vertical lines is 2160. The vertical scan rate should automatically change to 51.113 Hz. Just hit OK.
5. Reboot.
6. Open switchresx and go to current resolutions and select 1920x1080, 51hz.
7. You will have other resolutions available but none of them look retina to me at all.

Thanks for the steps. So I just tried exactly these steps on the P2715Q with a late 2013 13" rMBP to no avail. For whatever reason, the custom resolution always appears as "not installed" regardless of reboot. I have tried changing the cable that I am connecting with but running into the same issue even with a new mini display port to Display Port cable. Does anyone have any tips?

 

[zeppo2]

thanks for the feedback stempson and cmm. And thanks for that info ra004e, that's very helpful. I'll think it over this weekend.

 

[ra004e]

thanks for the feedback stempson and cmm. And thanks for that info ra004e, that's very helpful. I'll think it over this weekend.

Most welcome.

Here's a great review of P2415Q as you make your considerations.

https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/dell-p2415q/

I think you mentioned you were considering U2715H, here's a review for that.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2715h.htm

Good luck

 

[stempsons]

Thanks for the steps. So I just tried exactly these steps on the P2715Q with a late 2013 13" rMBP to no avail. For whatever reason, the custom resolution always appears as "not installed" regardless of reboot. I have tried changing the cable that I am connecting with but running into the same issue even with a new mini display port to Display Port cable. Does anyone have any tips?

the trial period may have expired...i encountered the same issue, so i paid for the serial number and registered the program. everything works now, and custom resolutions save/install.

 

[addink]

A quick question to add on to this thread. I'm very interested in picking up the P2715Q but at the moment, my 2010 Mac Pro still has a Radeon 5770 GPU (1 GB). I know it can't run 4k resolution but does anyone know if I'd be able to use the monitor at a lower resolution? Say 2560 x 1400 (the 5770 has a max resolution of 2560 x 1600). I'd love to get a 4K monitor now, use it at a scaled down resolution, and save up some money for a GTX 970.

Thanks!

 

[wakele]

Hey guys, thank you very much.
So here are the steps for a 2415q:

1. Use the Dell Cable (mini displayport to displayport). Might as well since it comes for free.
2. Make sure in the monitor's menu the MST setting is OFF. That is the default.
3. Download switchresx. Click onto the 2415q in the left tab. Don't mess with the display information tab. Go into the Custom resolution tab.
4. Hit + and add a custom resolution. Pixel clock is 450. Horizontal active is 3840, vertical lines is 2160. The vertical scan rate should automatically change to 51.113 Hz. Just hit OK.
5. Reboot.
6. Open switchresx and go to current resolutions and select 1920x1080, 51hz.
7. You will have other resolutions available but none of them look retina to me at all.

I am starting to guess that the problem I am having with my setup is caused to some incorrect parameters with switchresx. Can you or someone write down ALL the parameters to be set up in switchresx? I remember that I set some other parameters up (front porch, synch width...) since I saw them in other forum, and probably this is giving me problems!
A screenshot would be very appreciated!

 

[ryanissamson]

Well, I'm having no luck getting 52hz. I've tried settings with SwitchResX (see screenshots) but the monitor and computer freeze requiring a force restart. Anyone have any screenshots of working settings?

13" Retina and P2715Q

 

[stempsons]

Well, I'm having no luck getting 52hz. I've tried settings with SwitchResX (see screenshots) but the monitor and computer freeze requiring a force restart. Anyone have any screenshots of working settings?

13" Retina and P2715Q

try these settings and gradually increase the pixel clock...this is what i'm using with my mac mini i5/iris

 

[stempsons]

try these settings and gradually increase the pixel clock...this is what i'm using with my mac mini i5/iris

there may be an issue with the processor. from my own findings, the i7/iris on the macbook pro 13 will handle 450 pixel clock. the i5/iris of the mac mini seems to become unstable at anything over 400 (both systems running OS X 10.10)

 

[wakele]

there may be an issue with the processor. from my own findings, the i7/iris on the macbook pro 13 will handle 450 pixel clock. the i5/iris of the mac mini seems to become unstable at anything over 400 (both systems running OS X 10.10)

Uff tried and tried and nothing...i think I will give up. Happening the same as ryanissamson, my mini doesn't like the custom setup as it. I have to keep the hdmi plugged at the same time for my os to accept it, don't know the reason!!!

By the way, ryanissamson, you could try doing that...I am having the same troubles and, for any reason, my system accepts this setup ONLY if I plug they both hdmi and dp ports at the same time. Then I setup switchresx to disable the hdmi screen after booting and the result is 52hz and 1080hidpi and only one desktop...I know it is not the best solution but really, i don't know what else to try!!! If you have any doubt...ask.

Thanks for your replies!

 

[JKNorth]

A couple more issues since I've been using the P2715Q for a while now.

1) Overview Scan in Image Capture is dreadfully slow as you increase the resolution. I'm at a loss on this one. Scale down to 1504x846 and it's as speedy as with the TB monitor. Scale up to 2560x1440 and it's painfully slow. At 3840x2160 it fails.

Setup: nMP, 3.7GHz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, P2715Q, Lexmark CX410de via ethernet.

2) The animations going into Mission Control can be choppy at times.

Still enjoying it. In fact I'm liking it even more now. The AG doesn't bother me as much now that I'm getting used to it.

Kudos to my Canadian brother above getting $200 off. I only got $100 off when I called. (But that's all I asked for, I set my sights too low!)

 

[tmoney468]

Has anyone been able to get this monitor working with a thunderbolt cable? The only way I've been able to get this working is using the mini DP cable that came with the monitor.

I also recently bought the Caldigit Thunderbolt station 2 - and had hoped I'd be able to do:

Thunderbolt -> Caldigit station -> miniDP -> monitor

But that also doesn't seem to work :/

 

[stempsons]

well after a month of using this monitor with mostly great results, it decided to stop working with my mac mini via dp cable. sent it back to amazon and am looking for an alternative. the sleep wake issue was getting worse, so i'm glad it failed before the return period expired.

 

[wakele]

well after a month of using this monitor with mostly great results, it decided to stop working with my mac mini via dp cable. sent it back to amazon and am looking for an alternative. the sleep wake issue was getting worse, so i'm glad it failed before the return period expired.

OMG! I will pray my mini will not start doing (more) strange things!

 

[macsplusmacs]

OMG! I will pray my mini will not start doing (more) strange things!

I gotta think that with this monitor selling like (relative) hot cakes because of the price and because so many people are now not going to settle for less then 4k, that apple is aware and will add this monitor to their firmware update list soon.

this is just my guess though. I have no evidence.

Also, in 5 days on my macbook pro 2014 i have not had a sleep issue at all. YMMV

side note: Woke up at 5AM to get some work done, quiet house, quiet neighborhood, and the gorgeous clarity of this display is just so pleasant compared to other normal 27" displays that I wince when I think of my 27" iMac screen I had up to sept of last year.

 

[stempsons]

OMG! I will pray my mini will not start doing (more) strange things!

it's lame, since the monitor is nice. the final issue, was the display port simply stopped working completely. usually unplugging the monitor or toggling the power button would solve the issue, and the screen would come back. it was however the first batch of these monitors, so maybe the issue was firmware from dell.