LG UltraFine 5K - Owners Thread

[CJ Dorschel]

To cut to the chase... as an an owner of two original (insulation fixed 2017) models since near their release...

NO, it's not worth upgrading to anything else. USB-C connectivity on your setup (the only thing really of difference between the newer and older versions of the display) would offer you nothing.

I also wouldn't pay over 1200 bucks to extend the warranty on three displays at this stage either. Waste of money. Just keep your funds and buy a new (or even a used) replacement, if required, should one of your current displays becomes unfixable.

Furthermore, there's always a possibility something new and better may come along (that doesn't cost the earth like the XDR!) that might be a better buy in future. And you're more than likely to upgrade your MP when they do, to accommodate them at that time – likely a future (more affordable than current MP's) iMac or Mac Mini will sooner than later support two or three 5K3K displays natively without even needing an eGPU.

Thank you so much for this! You confirmed what my gut was telling me and I greatly appreciate the information.

I am really hoping the rumors of a mid-level Mac Pro and a return to a display line come to fruition. I definitely miss the CCFLLCD’s from the 2000s and even the 24 inch and 27 inch LEDLCD‘s. I even wish Apple would simply put the 5K iMac panel into a standalone enclosure as they once did as I would definitely buy them.

 

[jimthing]

Edit: I found this comparison page. Interesting to note it states they are 10 bit (8 bits + FRC) - which isn't true 10 bit thus 1073741824 colors in 30 bits is a frame rate control technique to virtually display the same number of colors as a 10-bit monitor (a bit "shady" of LG). The 2019 models have 94W Thunderbolt 3 connectivity but beyond that I'm not seeing a big difference. It does list incorrect info - both models have microphones with the camera's and it has a matte finish, not glossy. Not sure how accurate this comparison may be:

Comparison between: 27" LG 27MD5KL, 27" LG 27MD5KA

Comparison between: 27" LG 27MD5KL, 27" LG 27MD5KA

www.displayspecifications.com

I'd largely ignore that supposed comparison site. And they're both glossy displays, BTW.

Several wrong pieces of info, and even the main difference (vanilla USB-C 4K connectivity) entirely missing – apart from the accessories section mentioning it comes with an extra USB-C cable – which hardly explains the difference to anyone who didn't know what that meant (eg. connect iPad Pro at 4K to it)!
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As for colour depth, this goes a little over my head technically. But my very rough understanding (which I'll caveat may be wrong), is that in order to get to the so-called "Deep Color" (1.073 billion colours) on these displays, but without using a huge amount of bandwidth to do so over the special Apple single-Thunderbolt 3 cable connection, this display uses this '8 bits + FRC' technique in order to do so.
So it's effectively a compromise to get a high colour count, but without the high bandwidth of true 10 bit displays, in order to be able to squeeze over and not saturate the TB3 cable connection.

This also may be the reason there are so few other 5K3K display options (certainly no other Mac-focused ones) on the market – now, or going forward. I'll wager we'll be lucky to see anything new at least until the end of the year, when more affordable (as in ~$2K+ affordable!) mainstream 8K TV's start being released (I know, it's a different marketplace, but still connected to the actual panel production types being made) – if not until the end of next year (2022)!

 

[joevt]

As for colour depth, this goes a little over my head technically. But my very rough understanding (which I'll caveat may be wrong), is that in order to get to the so-called "Deep Color" (1.073 billion colours) on these displays, but without using a huge amount of bandwidth to do so over the special Apple single-Thunderbolt 3 cable connection, this display uses this '8 bits + FRC' technique in order to do so.
So it's effectively a compromise to get a high colour count, but without the high bandwidth of true 10 bit displays, in order to be able to squeeze over and not saturate the TB3 cable connection.

As far as I know, FRC is a function that is performed completely by the display - the display must get the 10bpc data to perform the FRC. The GPU is not sending 8bpc and it is not changing the color every frame to do FRC. Otherwise every display would have FRC.

The LG UltraFine 5K uses two DisplayPort 1.2 signals over Thunderbolt 3. Each signal is 2560x2880 10bpc (13.27 Gbps or, if considering the horizontal and vertical blanking pixels: 14.08 Gbps for the first LG UltraFine 5K and 14.50 Gbps for the second LG UltraFine 5K because they have different pixel clocks). DisplayPort 1.2 can do 17.28 Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 can do 40 Gbps. That leaves ≈11 Gbps for data transmission (meaning that an NVMe that can do between 2750 MB/s and 3000 MB/s over Thunderbolt 3 will be reduced to less than 1375 MB/s when connected to the same Thunderbolt port as a LG UltraFine 5K (but that's only for write speed; read speed will not be reduced - or not reduced as much). That's why storage devices should be connected to different Thunderbolt ports than displays.

 

[Maxwells_Equations]

If I try to scale the 4K Ultrafine (23.7) am I going to end up with blurry text due to the m1 resolution width restriction?

If this is true, would this mean the 23.7" is rendered useless due to being forced into using the native resolution?

Is this why most are opting for the 5K so they can run naively at 2560x1440 which is a bit more usable with more real estate?

 

[joevt]

If I try to scale the 4K Ultrafine (23.7) am I going to end up with blurry text due to the m1 resolution width restriction?

You can do scaled modes up to 6K on the M1 Mac. That means you can do HiDPI modes up to 3008x1692. What makes you think you would end up with blurry text?

If this is true, would this mean the 23.7" is rendered useless due to being forced into using the native resolution?

Please quote what you are replying to. What do you mean "forced into using the native resolution"? All displays except CRTs have a native resolution...

Is this why most are opting for the 5K so they can run naively at 2560x1440 which is a bit more usable with more real estate?

5K is more pixels. If people like 2560x1440 HiDPI mode then a 5K display is the best way to show that.
4K looks best with 1920x1080 HiDPI mode but it can do 2560x1440 HiDPI like a 5K and 3008x1692 HiDPI like a 6K but in those cases, it's not as clear but it's still better than the corresponding non-HiDPI modes. Modes higher than that will not be HiDPI because the M1 Mac doesn't support scaled modes greater than 6K.

 

[vishae]

This thread is so long, I'm not sure if someone has mentioned it already. But if I was to mount the monitor to a desk-clamp vesa mount, would it eliminate the monitor wobble while I type?

(I'm looking to replace my late 2013 iMac with a M1 mac - maybe the mac mini - plugged into an external display. I can't justify a Pro XDR display and the rumoured "cheaper" Apple non-pro, non-xdr monitor is still just a rumour. So it seems I might have to go with the LG Ultrafine 5K. I just can't deal with wobble though.)

 

[joevt]

This thread is so long, I'm not sure if someone has mentioned it already. But if I was to mount the monitor to a desk-clamp vesa mount, would it eliminate the monitor wobble while I type?

Probably.

 

[AppleSmack]

This thread is so long, I'm not sure if someone has mentioned it already. But if I was to mount the monitor to a desk-clamp vesa mount, would it eliminate the monitor wobble while I type?

(I'm looking to replace my late 2013 iMac with a M1 mac - maybe the mac mini - plugged into an external display. I can't justify a Pro XDR display and the rumoured "cheaper" Apple non-pro, non-xdr monitor is still just a rumour. So it seems I might have to go with the LG Ultrafine 5K. I just can't deal with wobble though.)

Maybe, maybe not.

If the arm is attached to the wall, your typing shouldn't affect the monitor.

If the arm is attached to the desk, your typing will probably still shake the monitor.

The issue is more likely to be solved by having a lighter hand while typing or getting a more sturdy/stable desk.

Good luck, let us know how you get on with the monitor arm!

 

[WP31]

Maybe, maybe not.

If the arm is attached to the wall, your typing shouldn't affect the monitor.

If the arm is attached to the desk, your typing will probably still shake the monitor.

The issue is more likely to be solved by having a lighter hand while typing or getting a more sturdy/stable desk.

Good luck, let us know how you get on with the monitor arm!

100%. Anecdotally I have the 5k on a desk mounted, amazon basics, ergotron-like arm and it wobbles less than when it sat on it's own stand. For what it's worth the monitor is also pushed up against another arm-mounted monitor so that may reduce the wobbling a bit (but it was pushed up against the other monitor when it was on it's own stand too).

 

[likegadgets]

To cut to the chase... as an an owner of two original (insulation fixed 2017) models since near their release...

NO, it's not worth upgrading to anything else. USB-C connectivity on your setup (the only thing really of difference between the newer and older versions of the display) would offer you nothing.

I also wouldn't pay over 1200 bucks to extend the warranty on three displays at this stage either. Waste of money. Just keep your funds and buy a new (or even a used) replacement, if required, should one of your current displays becomes unfixable.

Furthermore, there's always a possibility something new and better may come along (that doesn't cost the earth like the XDR!) that might be a better buy in future. And you're more than likely to upgrade your MP when they do, to accommodate them at that time – likely a future (more affordable than current MP's) iMac or Mac Mini will sooner than later support two or three 5K3K displays natively without even needing an eGPU.

I too own a pair of original 2017's - problem is that LG now refuses to repair the insulation problem (used to be a flat $150 quick fix). They want you to go to third party repair facilities that will not tell you ahead how much is the cost to fix the insulation issue. It was not a problem until the router was upgraded and require repositioning of the router to make the LG barely usable. The model would be a perfect monitor if it would just work. They have too many issues, image retention, problems with the built in USB hubs, issues with the new M1's. The customer support call center is useless these days and the corporation is arrogant. So I do not recommend the monitors, but I also cannot suggest a good alternative that meets the specs and price.....

 

[bobbydaz]

Not sure if this is a silly question, but do I need to worry about image retention by having the dock always visible? Are the icons going to cause any long term damage?

 

[CJ Dorschel]

Not sure if this is a silly question, but do I need to worry about image retention by having the dock always visible? Are the icons going to cause any long term damage?

I’ve noticed image retention from Finder windows to the Dock to Word being open just for a bit. It goes away in less than a minute but I’ve never had a monitor experience such retention before. It often alarms me as the 3 I have are original 2017 models - thankfully never had the shielding issue (knock on wood).

Apple needs to produce a reasonable display again as they once did. Simply re-purpose a 27 inch iMac panel in a new enclosure and sell it as a display as they did when they had the 24 inch and 27 inch LEDLCD’s. I’d gladly pay $1299 for an Apple 5K display over LG as I know the customer service will be better. I had numerous problems with my 27 inch LEDLCD cinema display‘s as they suffered from power supply issues but even out of warranty Apple repaired them at no cost to me. I haven’t had to call LG for any of my displays as they’ve been fine but it makes my anxiety skyrocket as I’ve heard horror stories.

 

[x2max]

Hello community,

I have a problem with my LG 5k monitor. Brightness control, webcam and audio are not working anymore. I am using a Mac mini m1. What can I do now to solve the problem?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Weaselboy]

Not sure if this is a silly question, but do I need to worry about image retention by having the dock always visible? Are the icons going to cause any long term damage?

I have the Dock always visible, and use my Mac about five hours a day. Never noticed any image retention.

 

[blaraka]

I'm thinking about buying Ultrafine 5K for my M1 MBP. One question though, is the ghosting / image retention problem less pronounced with 2019 update version? Reports over the Internet seem to be mostly from 1st edition and they are scary.

 

[Intrepid Cosmonaut]

I'm thinking about buying Ultrafine 5K for my M1 MBP. One question though, is the ghosting / image retention problem less pronounced with 2019 update version? Reports over the Internet seem to be mostly from 1st edition and they are scary.

I have had my 5k for a month or so paired with an M1 air, i use it for 10+ hours a day and have not noticed any image retention. Every few days when i wake the mac in the morning I do get the column of shifted pixels in the middle of the screen that is mentioned earlier in this thread, however the lockscreen trick always resolves it so it does not bother me much.

 

[cambookpro]

Spent a bit of time yesterday trying to neaten my setup with some £5 adhesive cable clips from Amazon. Used to be able to see the power cord, Philips Hue bar cord and two TB3 cables (one for MBP, one for PS4) hanging a bit below the screen. No such issue now. I do welcome better ideas if anyone has any!

 

[Intrepid Cosmonaut]

Spent a bit of time yesterday trying to neaten my setup with some £5 adhesive cable clips from Amazon. Used to be able to see the power cord, Philips Hue bar cord and two TB3 cables (one for MBP, one for PS4) hanging a bit below the screen. No such issue now. I do welcome better ideas if anyone has any!

Use cable management as an excuse to justify the purchase of a nice vesa arm, naturally.

 

[SatoshiScalper]

Hi guys. Long time but was curious if anyone has used two LG 5k monitors with the new Mac mini's?

The new Mac mini's have two Thuderbolt ports, so was thinking of using two of the LG 5k monitors side by side, connected via Thunderbolt to each connection on the back of the Mac mini.

Curious if anyone is using a similar setup or even with just one LG 5k to the new Mac mini.

Thanks!

 

[KPOM]

Hi guys. Long time but was curious if anyone has used two LG 5k monitors with the new Mac mini's?

The new Mac mini's have two Thuderbolt ports, so was thinking of using two of the LG 5k monitors side by side, connected via Thunderbolt to each connection on the back of the Mac mini.

Curious if anyone is using a similar setup or even with just one LG 5k to the new Mac mini.

Thanks!

Unfortunately the M1 Mini can support only 1 Thunderbolt monitor. The second has to be connected to HDMI, and thus won't work with a second LG UltraFine 5K.

I do use the LG UltraFine 5K with an M1 MacBook Air, and it works well.

 

[SatoshiScalper]

Unfortunately the M1 Mini can support only 1 Thunderbolt monitor. The second has to be connected to HDMI, and thus won't work with a second LG UltraFine 5K.

I do use the LG UltraFine 5K with an M1 MacBook Air, and it works well.

Ahh yes, reading up more now, so I would need two GPU busses in order to do so? I am wondering if the Macbook Air has two busses, one on each side, in order to allow me to use two LG 5k's. Thank you for the reply as well.

 

[blaraka]

I'm just setting up my Ultrafine 5k. Works perfectly with my MBP M1.
I'm also connecting it to Lenovo T480... it works but at 3860 x 2160. I know that 5K is just physically impossible but this laptop supposedly supports 4096 x 2304, that would be quite an improvement. Does anybody know if it can be done?

 

[joevt]

Ahh yes, reading up more now, so I would need two GPU busses in order to do so? I am wondering if the Macbook Air has two busses, one on each side, in order to allow me to use two LG 5k's. Thank you for the reply as well.

You can only connect one display to the Thunderbolt ports of an M1 Mac (not one per port, just one total).
You can connect the latest LG UltraFine 5K (27MD5KL) to the HDMI port of an M1 Mac mini using an adapter but it will be limited to 4K.
The older LG UltraFine 5K (27MD5KA) can only be connected to Thunderbolt.

 

[jimthing]

Wait for the next M-series chip machines, if you want multi-5K3K display support.

 

[Hessel89]

MacOS 11.2 is out, is anyone still experiencing problems with their Ultrafines connected to M1 machines?