Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

LG UltraFine 5K - Owners Thread

27MD5KL also listed as new for 12/18. Looks same as 27MD5KA with better power numbers but without the auto brightness control. Interesting that current 22MD4KA is not listed (also showing as out of stock again on Apple's site). - didn't find it as listed as other instead of thunderbolt

Total list of TB energy star certified displays listed:
BenQ PD2720U
BenQ PD3220U
Lenovo ThinkVision X1 (2nd Gen) A18270UX0
Lenovo ThinkVision P32u-10 C17320UP0
LG 24MD4KL
LG 27MD5KA
LG 27MD5KL​
[doublepost=1553438986][/doublepost]
plsh4ck said:
If true, it might be good middle ground between 22" and 27" models for many people. Strange thing is, at given specs the PPI will be only 185.9. So not true Retina. Also the Adobe RGB instead of P3 color spectrum seems interesting.
Click to expand...
Good point. Without true Retina my guess is that LG will release it directly. They will be independent of Apple since Apple is talking about coming out with their own display. The current boxes show "for Mac" so LG already needed a redesign since PCs now support the USB-C interface of the 21.5". It would make sense to add a DP ports (1.4 on the 27") but there is no reference to that.
 
Last edited:
saulinpa said:
27MD5KL also listed as new for 12/18. Looks same as 27MD5KA with better power numbers but without the auto brightness control. Interesting that current 22MD4KA is not listed (also showing as out of stock again on Apple's site). - didn't find it as listed as other instead of thunderbolt

Total list of TB energy star certified displays listed:
BenQ PD2720U
BenQ PD3220U
Lenovo ThinkVision X1 (2nd Gen) A18270UX0
Lenovo ThinkVision P32u-10 C17320UP0
LG 24MD4KL
LG 27MD5KA
LG 27MD5KL​
[doublepost=1553438986][/doublepost]
Good point. Without true Retina my guess is that LG will release it directly. They will be independent of Apple since Apple is talking about coming out with their own display. The current boxes show "for Mac" so LG already needed a redesign since PCs now support the USB-C interface of the 21.5". It would make sense to add a DP ports (1.4 on the 27") but there is no reference to that.
Click to expand...
I can see that happening. If only LG could keep the price point reasonably low. Current models, while great in their own way, are too overpriced IMO. At least here in Europe.
 
plsh4ck said:
I can see that happening. If only LG could keep the price point reasonably low. Current models, while great in their own way, are too overpriced IMO. At least here in Europe.
Click to expand...
On price, funnily enough it works differently depending on who releases it and how...

The LG 5K was released by Apple and immediately they did their "6 months lowering prices on USB-C TB3 entree" so it was £884, then it went up to the full price of £1179.

However most screens go the other way, e.g. start as MSRP of say £1300, then after a week or few Amazon have them at £1050, and they creep down over time.

I guess patience is a virtue. :)
 
Well I hope when Apple releases their own pro display later this year I would be able to get the 27" ultrafine for some good price. Can't really imagine of something better in terms of a display at the moment. It'll be a pretty big investment for me but very much worth it I think. :rolleyes:
 
I remember seeing a post here by someone who replaced their Lightning 3 cable for their UltraFine 5K monitor and it enabled some feature they never saw before. Was it split screen or something? Does anyone recall that post? It was recent (within the last few months).
 
kerplunknet said:
I remember seeing a post here by someone who replaced their Lightning 3 cable for their UltraFine 5K monitor and it enabled some feature they never saw before. Was it split screen or something? Does anyone recall that post? It was recent (within the last few months).
Click to expand...

I believe it was rotate and it's showing for my display. I'm using Belkin TB3 active and passive cables from the display pass-through eGPU to MBP.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jimthing
whoisyourdaddy said:
BlackMagic 580. Actually, don't have a need for it but I lucked upon it at a great price in case I decided to resell. Super quiet and does help with the MBP from not heating up since it's not using the 560x.
Click to expand...
Nice. Definitely overkill, but very nice.

I replaced my OEM LG UltraFine 5K Thunderbolt 3 cable with Apple's official, shorter Thunderbolt 3 cable and things seem to be doing pretty well. Hopefully, a lot of the UltraFine weirdness stops happening.
 
kerplunknet said:
Nice. Definitely overkill, but very nice.

I replaced my OEM LG UltraFine 5K Thunderbolt 3 cable with Apple's official, shorter Thunderbolt 3 cable and things seem to be doing pretty well. Hopefully, a lot of the UltraFine weirdness stops happening.
Click to expand...

I've either talked to or read about others with different issues presented when using TB3. Anything over 0.5m must be active (has a TB3 controller chip) and able to support the bandwidth. So, to avoid any issues, I suggest that any cable you're using with a TB3 port support 40Gbps bandwidth and 100W power delivery for hubs, docks, eGPUs, and monitors. Plus, a few people forget that not all 4 ports are TB3 for some earlier models. Also, just because it's a TB3 cable doesn't necessitate that the controller chip in active cables be compatible with USB-C devices. I've got a cable which I used to replace my Apple supplied cable for charging my MBP when using my AC adapter. It supports 100W PD but no data transfer. The problem with the LG cables are that some of the earlier ones probably didn't support 85W-100W PD combined with transferring data over 20 Gbps bandwidth, even though, they were the 0.5m passive cables. So, depending upon the circumstance, you may be utilizing the full bandwidth with programs and maximum PD simultaneously which began causing problems since the cable couldn't support it and was over saturated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1369281
whoisyourdaddy said:
I've either talked to or read about others with different issues presented when using TB3. Anything over 0.5m must be active (has a TB3 controller chip) and able to support the bandwidth. So, to avoid any issues, I suggest that any cable you're using with a TB3 port support 40Gbps bandwidth and 100W power delivery for hubs, docks, eGPUs, and monitors. Plus, a few people forget that not all 4 ports are TB3 for some earlier models. Also, just because it's a TB3 cable doesn't necessitate that the controller chip in active cables be compatible with USB-C devices. I've got a cable which I used to replace my Apple supplied cable for charging my MBP when using my AC adapter. It supports 100W PD but no data transfer. The problem with the LG cables are that some of the earlier ones probably didn't support 85W-100W PD combined with transferring data over 20 Gbps bandwidth, even though, they were the 0.5m passive cables. So, depending upon the circumstance, you may be utilizing the full bandwidth with programs and maximum PD simultaneously which began causing problems since the cable couldn't support it and was over saturated.
Click to expand...
Actually, that Apple 0.8m is exclusive and rare. It's the only one AFAIK on the market that is passive above 0.5m length, that also supports USB 10Gbit (along with 100W charging). Hence why Apple charge £39 for it, when most half meter passive TB3 cables typically go for £20-25.
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MQ4H2ZM/A

He could have bought one of the several 2m active TB3 cables from names like Caldigit, Chloe, et al. They typically enable the rotate function too, that the LG supplied one doesn't seem to offer (strange that it doesn't TBH!).

Also, all the LG supplied cables were 2m in length, and not 0.5m. They all did 100W power and full 40Gbps data, but the early ones seemed to be more prone to problems, hence replacement being needed by quite a few users.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1369281
jimthing said:
Actually, that Apple 0.8m is exclusive and rare. It's the only one AFAIK on the market that is passive above 0.5m length, that also supports USB 10Gbit (along with 100W charging). Hence why Apple charge £39 for it, when most half meter passive TB3 cables typically go for £20-25.
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MQ4H2ZM/A

He could have bought one of the several 2m active TB3 cables from names like Caldigit, Chloe, et al. They typically enable the rotate function too, that the LG supplied one doesn't seem to offer (strange that it doesn't TBH!).

Also, all the LG supplied cables were 2m in length, and not 0.5m. They all did 100W power and full 40Gbps data, but the early ones seemed to be more prone to problems, hence replacement being needed by quite a few users.
Click to expand...

Thx for the correction. I never measured and thought the Apple supplied passive cable was 0.5. I never used the LG cable but without me digging mine out, I know that it’s not 2m. Did you or others receive 2m active cables with your 5k? Mine is approximately 0.5m.

Perhaps, the earlier LG cables had incompatible, failing controllers or the firmware was had bugs. Especially, if the cables were supposed to provide that full bandwidth and power delivery. I don’t have enough experience with the quality of different manufacturers and the TB3 cables. However, I was aware that you can easily saturate the 20-40 Gbps of a cable with 5k refreshing. Add in 85W to heat things up a little and I find it best to overcompensate.

Update: Just checked and they list LG 2m as the cable length. I did purchase mine preowned though and I never minded to research the cable length that came with it. I already owned some Belkin active TB3. Guess the owner just sent me a shorter one he had instead of the 2m.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1369281
I own two UltraFine 5K monitors, purchased a year apart from each other, and they both have 2m length cables. I believe that is the only length they ever shipped with.

So far, my testing with the Apple .8m Thunderbolt 3 cable has been great! I picked up two at Best Buy (on clearance, it said) for $27.99 each.
 
is anyone else having issues with the webcam seemingly stop working randomly? On my 2018 15 inch, I could be on Zoom or Hangouts for meetings throughout the day, and the webcam just goes blank, light goes off, and it can't be restarted. I have to reboot my laptop before it starts working again

There's also a bit of a weird flicker on the webcam as well.

Anyone else seeing this?
 
IMG_4737.jpgIMG_4736.jpg

Has anybody also this problem? Both of my 5Ks have this white line in the lower left corner. :mad:

They were already replaced because of ghosting.
 
I just bought a new (manufacturing date January 2019) 27MD5kA-B and have it connected to my i9 Vega 20 MBP, I have connected an usb hub to one of the usb-c inputs on the monitor to which I have mouse and keyboard connected.
The mouse is experiencing some "jumping"/getting stuck a few ms from time to time, if I connect he hub directly to the MBP the problems goes away.
What might be causing this and is there something I could try?

The system report reports firmware 9,4 and LG updater says I'm on the latest version.
 
Quick Question - Is this monitor work the $1299? I don't really see options for lower prices unless refurb and that is hit and miss on the quality - I will get a Apple partner discount cutting the price by about 10%.

Is it worth the price? Using it with a 2018 MacBook Pro, heck you can purchase a computer for this price.

Thanks in advance for your opinion
 
jeme said:
Quick Question - Is this monitor work the $1299? I don't really see options for lower prices unless refurb and that is hit and miss on the quality - I will get a Apple partner discount cutting the price by about 10%.

Is it worth the price? Using it with a 2018 MacBook Pro, heck you can purchase a computer for this price.

Thanks in advance for your opinion
Click to expand...
If you want a 5k iMac like viewing experience, then yes. There aren’t any other monitors that match it. 4K monitors are a no go for me because you need a 22” for retina (LG 22” UltraFine) and larger sizes text looks huge at retina or microscopic at native 4K.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Weaselboy
Thanks so much glindon. So whenever I look at this monitor in store it is always scaled up to the second or third box, at which point is it Retina - please pardon my ignorance and I appreciate you help. I have a 27 inch regular 4K that I am considering returning for this one. Heck it is over twice the price!!!

I love that it has built in camera and speakers (good enough for what I need)
 
jeme said:
Thanks so much glindon. So whenever I look at this monitor in store it is always scaled up to the second or third box, at which point is it Retina - please pardon my ignorance and I appreciate you help. I have a 27 inch regular 4K that I am considering returning for this one. Heck it is over twice the price!!!

I love that it has built in camera and speakers (good enough for what I need)
Click to expand...
The 5k? I’m not at home so I can’t say which box it is scaled up to. It should say something like “looks like 1440p” or “2560 x 1440” which is the 5k monitor’s native resolution (2880p) divided by 2 for retina.
 
glindon said:
The 5k? I’m not at home so I can’t say which box it is scaled up to. It should say something like “looks like 1440p” or “2560 x 1440” which is the 5k monitor’s native resolution (2880p) divided by 2 for retina.
Click to expand...


Interesting. So would that no be the same as a 2560 x 1440 monitor?
 
It sounds like you’d probably be happier with something like this:
jeme said:
Interesting. So would that no be the same as a 2560 x 1440 monitor?
Click to expand...
When scaled to 1440p, the resolution appears as big as a 1440p monitor, but there are 4x the amount of pixels so everything looks ultra-high quality. After you use one of these monitors and then switch back to a native 1440p monitor, you can literally start seeing the pixels on that monitor. The definition of retina display is that your eye isn't supposed to be able to see pixels.

LG UltraFine 5K is worth the money if you care about having the best quality display.
 
Last edited:
whoisyourdaddy said:
The character string beginning with "MEZ*" is not the serial number. I don't know the specifics of what this character string will provide about the display. Mine is MEZ66731801(REV00). A purchase date isn't the manufacturing date. The manufacturing date of your display should begin with three digits which coincide with the month year. So, my display has an April 2017 manufacturing date and the serial number begins with 704*. Models with serial number 702-703, February-March 2017, or greater should have the shielding installed. Your manufacturing date, serial number, etc. are located on the label beneath the VESA stand/plate on the back of the monitor. I don't know if your REVISION 03 is significant across the entire line model 27MD5KA, specific to a particular factory, region, or other characteristic. It would be interesting to know this and if there's any correlation to firmware installed. It maybe helpful to know the differences in the revisions since mine is "00" which I would assume is based upon the original even with the shielding change. Can you check on which firmware(s) you have installed for the display?
The firmware(s) are listed under your System Profile. The different devices associated with the display are the monitor, hub, camera, controls and audio.
0) 'Apple Logo > About This Mac'
1) 'Overview > System Report...'
2) 'Hardware > Thunderbolt > UltraFine 5K' "Device Revision" and "Firmware Version"?
3) 'Hardware > USB > USB 3.1 Hub' "Version"?
4) 'Hardware > USB > LG UltraFine Display Camera' "Version"?
5) 'Hardware > USB > USB Controls' "Version"?
6) 'Hardware > USB > USB Audio' "Version"?

Example: UltraFine 5K device revision is 1 (0x1) and firmware version is 9.4, USB 3.1 Hub version is 52.37, LG UltraFine Display Camera is 1.13, USB Controls version is 3.04, and USB Audio version is 0.1e.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much for this post. I am in the market for a 5K Ultrafine possibly secondhand. I am aware of its checkered history, but have the impression that recent models are generally OK. I started reading this 67 page thread from the end to educate myself, and this post was the first I came to with some hard buying related facts. I haven’t gone back earlier.

So monitors with serials beginning 702 or higher should be OK?
I have also read mention of “series B”, how does this relate?
Anything else to watch out for?

Thanks very much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back