LG UltraFine 5K - Owners Thread

[econ]

The LG 5K display is incredible and in no way a "bad bet". I been using the display for 13 days now and still think it is spectacular to look at and use. I have had zero problems with the display.

Let me clarify my position. I have a 13" MBP, and clearly people have been having more problems with that than the 15". Switching also isn't an option for me. Seems like for the 13" it's a 50/50: some people have no problem, some people have some "livable" stutter, and some people have a lot of problem. Certainly makes me nervous, especially if I have to wait three/four more weeks for it with no current external.

 

[Dukat]

Below is what my sensors look like with the MacBook Pro open and the second display set to "extend" mode. The LG 5K display and OWC ThunderBay 4 with four drives is attached as well.

Thanks for posting your #'s, similar readings to mine so I can rule out hardware issue which puts me at ease and save me trouble trying to find another unit to test. (although interesting the other persons numbers were far lower than ours).

Perhaps the AMD driver update in the next OSX update along with an LG firmware update will make things more efficient.

Best quality 4k video I've come across for those that haven't seen it.

 

[cmm]

Can the 2015 15" rMBP with integrated graphics power this display? Preferably I'd use it via SwitchResX's hidpi settings, preferably 1800 or 1440 at 60 Hz. Is this possible with this display? If not, can any 15" rMBP (other than the current model) with dedicated graphics power this display at 60 Hz at a scaled hidpi resolution.

 

[DarwinOSX]

Best quality 4k video I've come across for those that haven't seen it.

That was great. Used 4K downloader to download a copy of it.
[doublepost=1484062299][/doublepost]

exactly what I thought.

It doesn't really make sense to me that a port pushing data should cause a temperature rise. It would have to be computationally expensive somehow to make the cpu go up. Where is cpu required to push data which is what the 25 gbps video stream is? This is SSD to port to monitor. Not seeing where that requires cpu over gpu. Perhaps it does somehow but I can't think of how.

 

[bizzy045]

Got mine yesterday. Haven't been using a second monitor, so this is a game changer for me. Actually look forward to working now. Haha.

 

[Dukat]

That was great. Used 4K downloader to download a copy of it.
[doublepost=1484062299][/doublepost]

What downloader did you use?

 

[TopToffee]

MacBook Pro (15", 2.7, 460) arrived today, so have finally been trying out the LG.

It's an absolutely beautiful display. Just stunning.

However, I'm contemplating returning it. I still seem to end up doing 90% of my work/activity on the laptop screen!

Will give it a while longer, to see if it's just a case of needing to form a new habit. Probably just the effect of 15 years of using laptops exclusively.

 

[Outrigger]

Will give it a while longer, to see if it's just a case of needing to form a new habit. Probably just the effect of 15 years of using laptops exclusively.

I'm going to say yes to that statement. Old habits die hard.

 

[TopToffee]

I'm going to say yes to that statement. Old habits die hard.

They really do. Feel like clamshell mode might be the way forward, but really don't want to spend on a keyboard right now, when I suspect a TB enabled one will be round the corner

 

[Dukat]

Looking for a full featured dock.
The OWC Thunderbolt 3 looks like one of the best, however there's no mention whether it supports Thunderbolt charging and how many watts. It also mentions 'up to 4k' support, nothing about the 5k displays.
https://www.owcdigital.com/products/thunderbolt/thunderbolt-3-dock-specs

 

[sidewinder]

Looking for a full featured dock.
The OWC Thunderbolt 3 looks like one of the best, however there's no mention whether it supports Thunderbolt charging and how many watts. It also mentions 'up to 4k' support, nothing about the 5k displays.
https://www.owcdigital.com/products/thunderbolt/thunderbolt-3-dock-specs

The OWC web site says the OWC Thunderbolt 3 dock provides "charging power to your laptop". Since this is designed for the Late 2016 15" MacBook Pro, I am sure it will provide enough charging power.

Since the 5K display takes most of the Thunderbolt 3 bandwidth, how could it support a 5K display AND provide bandwidth for all the other ports? Haven't we gone over this before?

 

[tomislavf]

MacBook Pro (15", 2.7, 460) arrived today, so have finally been trying out the LG.

It's an absolutely beautiful display. Just stunning.

However, I'm contemplating returning it. I still seem to end up doing 90% of my work/activity on the laptop screen!

Will give it a while longer, to see if it's just a case of needing to form a new habit. Probably just the effect of 15 years of using laptops exclusively.

Use only the external screen. Your neck and back will thank you in ten years.

 

[zw-gator]

Does this monitor work on Windows?

 

[Dukat]

Use only the external screen. Your neck and back will thank you in ten years.

That's a good reminder..
Reviewing ergonomic guidelines I found my monitor was too low.
"When seated comfortably, the user's eyes should be in line with a point on the screen about 2-3 inches below the top of the monitor casing."

- http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/proper-sitting-posture-for-typing
- http://www.wikihow.com/Sit-at-a-Computer

 

[spinstorm]

So I just swappped my 13" for the 15" 2.6/256 model (I was tempted to just go to the top spec but I have until the 24th if I want to change it again!).

Anyway I am hoping it will perform better with the 5K display. It's not that the 13" didn't work with the 5K display it was just buggy and it becomes frustrating. It should not be doing that when Apple say it works with it.

I'll report back on my experiences when I have used it properly but my main issue now is getting a bag to put it in!

 

[Dukat]

So I just swappped my 13" for the 15" 2.6/256 model (I was tempted to just go to the top spec but I have until the 24th if I want to change it again!).

Anyway I am hoping it will perform better with the 5K display. It's not that the 13" didn't work with the 5K display it was just buggy and it becomes frustrating. It should not be doing that when Apple say it works with it.

I'll report back on my experiences when I have used it properly but my main issue now is getting a bag to put it in!

Congrats Spin, I think you'll like having the larger screen and GPU. I don't regret switching.

Check out this bag. I got one in ballistic black with chocolate leather accents.
It looks much nicer in person, build quality is top notch and it has 2 built in sleeves, one that fits a 15" macbook and a slightly smaller one that fits an iPad.

https://www.sfbags.com/collections/laptop-backpacks/products/bolt-backpack

 

[macmee]

Over time these panels will develop image retention.

 

[scott_donald]

well got my two up and running this evening... absolutely amazing screens, look so sharp at the default resolution.

Not had time to do too much but looking forward to editing some 4k footage on it later this week, just waiting for the speakers and then figure out what Portable SSD to get for editing and the setup is complete.

One thing I have noticed it cannot in clamshell mode with the two screens attached, then use airplay to an Apple TV... I completely confused it and all things went funny... oh well will just remove it from the two screens when using the Apple TV.

 

[digitalm3]

Over time these panels will develop image retention.

I have no experience but I've read it's temporary and can be corrected by cycling solid colors on the screen for a while.

Have you tried that?

 

[tomislavf]

That's a good reminder..
Reviewing ergonomic guidelines I found my monitor was too low.
"When seated comfortably, the user's eyes should be in line with a point on the screen about 2-3 inches below the top of the monitor casing."

- http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/proper-sitting-posture-for-typing
- http://www.wikihow.com/Sit-at-a-Computer

I got a display arm to position the screen exactly as I need it just for this reason. Invest a $100 in your health folks

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Single-Monitor-Display-Mounting/dp/B00MIBN16O

 

[macmee]

I have no experience but I've read it's temporary and can be corrected by cycling solid colors on the screen for a while.

Have you tried that?

Getting rid of retention is not the issue. The issue is the retention gets worse over time, and over time occurs quicker and quicker. After just 1 to 2 years, a not insignificant percentage of these "fancy" panels will be garbage. They will show retention after just several minutes of use, and that retention wont fade for upwards of 5 minutes.

LG's panels burn light images/colours into dark images/colours, so victims may not even notice until it's too late for warranty to save them.

There is nothing ultrafine about these panels. You have all bought pieces of **** covered in icing and you'll pay for it eventually. I have already returned mine and I will never touch an LG panel again.

 

[spinstorm]

Congrats Spin, I think you'll like having the larger screen and GPU. I don't regret switching.

Check out this bag. I got one in ballistic black with chocolate leather accents.
It looks much nicer in person, build quality is top notch and it has 2 built in sleeves, one that fits a 15" macbook and a slightly smaller one that fits an iPad.

https://www.sfbags.com/collections/laptop-backpacks/products/bolt-backpack

I like SFbags - was going to buy from them anyway although my bank account is going down fast... I wish I didn't need a new bag as well!

How do I get the LG camera working? I can't find anything in the settings...

 

[Dukat]

I like SFbags - was going to buy from them anyway although my bank account is going down fast... I wish I didn't need a new bag as well!

How do I get the LG camera working? I can't find anything in the settings...

If you open Facetime, go to 'Video' and you can select 'LG UltraFine Display Camera' as an option.

 

[hollandog]

I like SFbags - was going to buy from them anyway although my bank account is going down fast... I wish I didn't need a new bag as well!

How do I get the LG camera working? I can't find anything in the settings...

I think you pick the camera from the app you use. ie facetime, quicktime player.

 

[sidewinder]

Does this monitor work on Windows?

If you mean with the Late 2016 MacBook Pro running Windows in Boot Camp, yes, it does. It seems to work best with the MacBook Pro screen open and setup as a second display.