Pro Display XDR With PC?

[Pezimak]

Hi, I have a M3 Max MB Pro and a works supplied Windows 11 Dell laptop. Both have Thunderbolt 4 ports on them, I have commented in this forum on my interest to get a 6K 32” monitor.
I have found a second hand Pro Display XDR, it is at a very good price, but it has a slight chip in the edge on the glass, but it doesn’t look too bad.

But, my question is is it worth it if I will use it with my works laptop most of the time? The laptop has an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 with Intel Iris XE graphics, I believe it will support up to 8K or something silly. But if I purchased it, would I be able to set the brightness using my Mac then flip over to Windows and still use the same brightness setting? And would I get the full 10 bit 6K resolution at 60HZ? I have read that Windows PC’s can give various output on the Pro Display XDR, 5K, 20HZ, 8 bit etc.
I took get the Cablematters thunderbolt switch hub to run the two computers on the monitor.

My alternative is LG’s 6K 32” monitor which will be brand new.

 

[enc0re]

Get the LG. You do to want to, and probably won’t even be able to, do the hacky steps needed on a work laptop.

 

[Pezimak]

Get the LG. You do not want to want to, and probably won’t even be able to, do the hacky steps needed on a work laptop.

Yeah, I can‘t load any drivers or any software that’s for sure! It is a locked down business laptop. And my concern is whilst it will no doubt work, what capacity will it work in? Whilst the Pro Display is a good price it is still over 3 grand plus a 2 hour drive to get it, it is collection only.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

The brightness set on your mac will be remembered until it loses power. I tried this same setup to share my Pro Display XDR between my work MacBook and my PC, but I had issues with the Cable Matters USB C Switch and returned it.

The included cable wasn't long enough to reach my PC beneath my desk so I bought a longer cable from Cable Matters -- a longer version of the same cable included with the switch. But with the longer cable connected to the switch I had constant artifacts coming up across the screen that didn't happen when connecting the same cable directly to the PC.

Also the included remote worked only a couple times and then never worked again. They offered to send a replacement but I read many reviews about the same issue.

I would recommend only using the switch if you're ok with the remote not working and if the length of the included cables work for your setup without needing a longer cable.

 

[Pezimak]

So the Dell laptop stopped up to 8K over it’s Thunderbolt 4 ports, it does display port over them too, would the Cablematters USB switch work with both the Mac and Windows laptop over thunderbolt?

20 Gbps USB-C Switch for Sharing a USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Monitor or Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station

Connect two devices to one USB-C monitor or docking station with this USB-C Switch. This USB-C switch lets you share one USB-C monitor with two devices over USB-C. It can also turn a standard USB-C docking station into a USB-C KVM, letting two devices share one USB-C docking station.

www.cablematters.com

 

[Pezimak]

The brightness set on your mac will be remembered until it loses power. I tried this same setup to share my Pro Display XDR between my work MacBook and my PC, but I had issues with the Cable Matters USB C Switch and returned it.

The included cable wasn't long enough to reach my PC beneath my desk so I bought a longer cable from Cable Matters -- a longer version of the same cable included with the switch. But with the longer cable connected to the switch I had constant artifacts coming up across the screen that didn't happen when connecting the same cable directly to the PC.

Also the included remote worked only a couple times and then never worked again. They offered to send a replacement but I read many reviews about the same issue.

I would recommend only using the switch if you're ok with the remote not working and if the length of the included cables work for your setup without needing a longer cable.

Thanks, how long are the cables that it comes with?

 

[Pezimak]

Just saw this on the LG website:

To access all features, including 96W charging and 6144 × 3456 resolution, your device must support Thunderbolt 5 or USB-C with DisplayPort 2.1.

That rules it out for me, so Pro Display it is.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Thanks, how long are the cables that it comes with?

The included cables are 3 foot, which works great if you have a laptop and PC on the desk. The switch has an adhesive velcro so you can hide it behind the monitor.

 

[Dark-Signature]

Just saw this on the LG website:

To access all features, including 96W charging and 6144 × 3456 resolution, your device must support Thunderbolt 5 or USB-C with DisplayPort 2.1.

That rules it out for me, so Pro Display it is.

Can you explain why exactly you have come to this conclusion?

 

[PaulD-UK]

@Dark-Signature
I think what @Pezimak saw on the LG website is this:
"*Minimum requirements: Intel 12th Gen or later, Windows 11 or later."

Part of the original question in the original post was:
"...is it worth it if I will use it with my works laptop most of the time? The laptop has an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 with Intel Iris XE graphics"

For MacOS use, as well as 'To access all features use TB5', the website says:
"macOS: Display may not work properly on non-Apple Silicon devices depending on the macOS version.
*Minimum requirements: macOS Sequoia (version 15) or later."

This is presumably because AS Macs support DSC (and TB or USB4, which has an Alt-mode DP bandwidth sufficient for 6K when using DSC), whereas Intel Macs don't (as a generalisation).

Whether a TB4 Mac will get HDR out of the LG 6K monitor is still to be determined. It probably should, but in practice it may need TB5...

As @EugW has pointed out in the main LG 6K thread, TB5 is essential to get any useful (beyond USB 2) data rate out of the additional USB-C output ports on the monitor.

 

[Pezimak]

@Dark-Signature
I think what @Pezimak saw on the LG website is this:
"*Minimum requirements: Intel 12th Gen or later, Windows 11 or later."

Part of the original question in the original post was:
"...is it worth it if I will use it with my works laptop most of the time? The laptop has an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 with Intel Iris XE graphics"

For MacOS use, as well as 'To access all features use TB5', the website says:
"macOS: Display may not work properly on non-Apple Silicon devices depending on the macOS version.
*Minimum requirements: macOS Sequoia (version 15) or later."

This is presumably because AS Macs support DSC (and TB or USB4, which has an Alt-mode DP bandwidth sufficient for 6K when using DSC), whereas Intel Macs don't (as a generalisation).

As @EugW has pointed out in the main LG 6K thread, TB5 is essential to get any useful (beyond USB 2) data rate out of the additional USB-C output ports on the monitor.

Bingo Yeap, it won’t work for me. I can’t really badger work for a new Windows laptop with TB5 lol. So I am chasing down a Pro Display XDR currently.
I need the monitor to charge my works laptop whilst using it, and if it has built in speakers I would use those as well. But looks like it needs a high level of computer to work with, my Mac would work fine, and my works laptop will not, should work fine with the XDR though.

 

[Dark-Signature]

Bingo Yeap, it won’t work for me. I can’t really badger work for a new Windows laptop with TB5 lol. So I am chasing down a Pro Display XDR currently.
I need the monitor to charge my works laptop whilst using it, and if it has built in speakers I would use those as well. But looks like it needs a high level of computer to work with, my Mac would work fine, and my works laptop will not, should work fine with the XDR though.

Could you provide the exact model name of your Dell notebook? Is it not possible for you to connect a external TB4-cable to charge the Dell notebook with an extra powerplug, while it is connected to the LG monitor?

 

[Pezimak]

Could you provide the exact model name of your Dell notebook? Is it not possible for you to connect a external TB4-cable to charge the Dell notebook with an extra powerplug, while it is connected to the LG monitor?

Hi it is a Dell Latitude 5430, with an 11th gen Intel Core i5, it supports Display Port 1.4 Alt Mode on its Thunderbolt 4 connection. So it is below the minimum spec to work with the LG monitor.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple displays are always a horrible PITA for usage on anything non Apple.

It's why my last Apple display was the ACD 30" wayyy back when.

 

[Pezimak]

Apple displays are always a horrible PITA for usage on anything non Apple.

It's why my last Apple display was the ACD 30" wayyy back when.

They can be yes, looks like a fair few have got the Pro Display working, but it looks like the LG won’t work with my works laptop?

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Apple displays are always a horrible PITA for usage on anything non Apple.

It's why my last Apple display was the ACD 30" wayyy back when.

Other than not being able to adjust the settings natively with Windows, and not having a built-in KVM, it's just a monitor.

 

[Pezimak]

Hmm I find myself second guessing myself.

Would you buy a second hand Pro Display XDR with a slight chip in the top corner of the glass but not the screen for £3300 with no warranty.
Or buy the Kuycon G32P and import duty for around £1350 in the UK knowing it is new, with warranty, but not as good display image. When you don't do photo or video work? But you have a window to your right when working?

And you might also play the odd game.

 

[maflynn]

Would you buy a second hand Pro Display XDR with a slight chip in the top corner of the glass but not the screen for £3300 with no warranty.

First off, my job/hobby does not require such a high end display, so I'm a bit out of my element. With that said, I think you're taking a huge risk on your 3300 pounds. You're saving a lot of money, but you're incurring a high level of risk, there's no way for you know if there's other hidden damage and it will be on you if something starts failing down the road.

Will it fail? I'm sure the odds are in your favor, but if it were me, the risk vs. reward factor is not there, I'd not buy it but then I'm rather conservative.

Or buy the Kuycon G32P and import duty for around £1350 in the UK knowing it is new, with warranty

What type of warranty, and being imported/supported from china how hard/easy is it to get support?

I go by the principle buy once cry once. Sometimes saving money will end up costing you in the long run. If you need a 6k display, LG is coming out with one, Dell has one, and of course buying a new or even refurb (if they're available) from apple is your best options - at least that's how I see it.

Without reading the whole thread, what about buying Apple's 5k display instead?

 

[Pezimak]

First off, my job/hobby does not require such a high end display, so I'm a bit out of my element. With that said, I think you're taking a huge risk on your 3300 pounds. You're saving a lot of money, but you're incurring a high level of risk, there's no way for you know if there's other hidden damage and it will be on you if something starts failing down the road.

Will it fail? I'm sure the odds are in your favor, but if it were me, the risk vs. reward factor is not there, I'd not buy it but then I'm rather conservative.


What type of warranty, and being imported/supported from china how hard/easy is it to get support?

I go by the principle buy once cry once. Sometimes saving money will end up costing you in the long run. If you need a 6k display, LG is coming out with one, Dell has one, and of course buying a new or even refurb (if they're available) from apple is your best options - at least that's how I see it.

Without reading the whole thread, what about buying Apple's 5k display instead?

My situation is I need a 32” monitor, I have a 28” one now but want a bigger one, and I don’t have the space for dual 27” ones.
I need to use it with a works Dell laptop and my MacBook Pro, my works happy won’t support the new LG 32” monitor, which I did have my eye on. I don’t really like the matte look of the new Asus one, but the Kuycon is interesting to me, looks nice and has support for higher FPS at lower resolutions. Reading the thread it seems they are quick to respond to any faults, however repairs under warranty look like they will need to be shipped back to China, and that is obviously a real hassle and may cost you.

 

[Pezimak]

First off, my job/hobby does not require such a high end display, so I'm a bit out of my element. With that said, I think you're taking a huge risk on your 3300 pounds. You're saving a lot of money, but you're incurring a high level of risk, there's no way for you know if there's other hidden damage and it will be on you if something starts failing down the road.

Will it fail? I'm sure the odds are in your favor, but if it were me, the risk vs. reward factor is not there, I'd not buy it but then I'm rather conservative.


What type of warranty, and being imported/supported from china how hard/easy is it to get support?

I go by the principle buy once cry once. Sometimes saving money will end up costing you in the long run. If you need a 6k display, LG is coming out with one, Dell has one, and of course buying a new or even refurb (if they're available) from apple is your best options - at least that's how I see it.

Without reading the whole thread, what about buying Apple's 5k display instead?

You know what? I just checked with my 28” current screen and I DO think I can make a dual Studio Display setup work. So I think I will go with that, I can buy Apple refurb then, or even refurb with a warranty off eBay if I want. Or wait for the new ones to be released.

I take it Windows 11 will work with a Studio Display in portrait mode? I agree with you on the risk aspect, when it is this cost then really a warranty of some sort, and buying from a trusted source is invaluable.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

I understand your hesitation about Kuycon with having to ship to China for repairs. That seems like a huge risk.

I went from a Studio Display to Pro Display XDR and love it. The backlight zones make a huge improvement in contrast. HDR videos look amazing. I bought mine used on eBay and am glad I made that decision.

I no longer share it between my Mac and PC, though. I work remote full time and I have separate work/play setups.

I think any Apple display is only worth buying used or refurb now, with new ones coming soon. A great thing about Apple displays is the resale value is much better than any other brand.

 

[Pezimak]

I understand your hesitation about Kuycon with having to ship to China for repairs. That seems like a huge risk.

I went from a Studio Display to Pro Display XDR and love it. The backlight zones make a huge improvement in contrast. HDR videos look amazing. I bought mine used on eBay and am glad I made that decision.

I no longer share it between my Mac and PC, though. I work remote full time and I have separate work/play setups.

I think any Apple display is only worth buying used or refurb now, with new ones coming soon. A great thing about Apple displays is the resale value is much better than any other brand.

Yes, I have a better monitor in a way then the Pro Display XDR with my M3 Max 14’ MacBook Pro, I believe it has more LED’s? It has a slightly higher SDR brightness and the same contrast ratio and HDR brightness, it is stunning really, I wanted an Apple display to compliment that. I can wait to see what the new Studio Display is like as it is said to get mini LED too. My only worry is if my works PC will work with it if it has Thunderbolt 5, it won’t be compatible with LG’s TB5 32” 6K monitor. Plus I have the M4 iPad with its tandem OLED screen, and my iPhone 14 Pro Max with its OLED screen.. so yeah surrounded by Apple screen loveliness lol. Only device I plan to update is my iPhone next year, but I do want to change my monitors for better workflow, either a 32” or dual 27”.