Is the "1st gen" LG Ultrafine 5k compatible with a 2015 macbook pro?

[Shredder-]

I'm curious if my mid 2015 15" macbook pro can use a LG Ultrafine 5k (in 4k) with the thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter. The reason I'm asking is because Apple states it here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210205

What throws me off is the following:

"... The LG UltraFine 5K Display (Model 27MD5KL-B)...
..... You can use the LG UltraFine 5K Display at a resolution of 3840 x 2160 at 60Hz..."

I'm however on a 27MD5KA model and I wonder if it will work the same, or are there any differences between these two models in terms of compability with older macbooks?

 

[Amethyst1]

I'm however on a 27MD5KA model and I wonder if it will work the same, or are there any differences between these two models in terms of compability with older macbooks?

It should work just fine using Apple's bidirectional Thunderbolt2-to-Thunderbolt3 adapter. The main difference between the "KA" and "KL" is that the latter accepts video input via USB-C (DisplayPort Alternate Mode) as well but is limited to 4K60 when doing this (or 5K38/5K39 using a custom timing, but this won't work on a 2015 MBP).

 

[joevt]

IF you want 5K from a 2015 MacBook Pro to a Thunderbolt display such as the 27MD5KL, then you need an eGPU (BlackMagic eGPU or Sonnet eGPU Breakaway Puck 5500XT/5700). Apple doesn't support eGPU's for Thunderbolt 2 Macs, so you may need to do some stuff to get it to work (see eGPU.io).

Without an eGPU, 4K60 should be possible.

The Dell UP2715K is a non-Thunderbolt display that can use two DisplayPort connections from the MacBook Pro to support 5K60.

 

[Amethyst1]

The Dell UP2715K is a non-Thunderbolt display that can use two DisplayPort connections from the MacBook Pro to support 5K60.

The same goes for the HP Z27q (and Philips 275P4VYKEB, but macOS doesn’t have an .mtdd for that one).

 

[Shredder-]

It should work just fine using Apple's bidirectional Thunderbolt2-to-Thunderbolt3 adapter. The main difference between the "KA" and "KL" is that the latter accepts video input via USB-C (DisplayPort Alternate Mode) as well but is limited to 4K60 when doing this (or 5K38/5K39 using a custom timing, but this won't work on a 2015 MBP).

Thanks for the clarification!