To use a 4K monitor with a MacBook Pro, follow these steps:
- Check the compatibility: Ensure that your MacBook Pro model supports the use of a 4K monitor. Most newer models have the necessary capabilities, but older models may not be able to handle the high resolution.
- Connect the monitor: Use an appropriate cable, such as an HDMI or DisplayPort cable, to connect your MacBook Pro to the 4K monitor. Some monitors may also support USB-C, so check for compatibility.
- Set up the display: Once connected, go to the Apple menu and click on "System Preferences." Then, select "Displays."
- Adjust the settings: In the Displays preferences, you can adjust various settings for the connected monitor. You'll see options like resolution, display arrangement, brightness, and more.
- Choose the correct resolution: Select the highest available resolution for the 4K monitor to ensure you can enjoy the full 4K experience. You may need to scroll through the resolution options to find the appropriate one.
- Arrange and position the displays: If you're using your MacBook Pro alongside the 4K monitor as an extended display, you can set the arrangement to your preference. Ensure that you have the desired position and orientation for both displays.
- Adjust scaling: macOS offers a few scaling options to optimize the appearance of text and icons on the 4K monitor. Explore the scaling options in the Displays preferences to find the one that suits your preferences.
- Customize display preferences: Depending on your preferences, you can customize additional settings like colors, brightness, and contrast for the 4K monitor using the Display preferences. Experiment with these settings to achieve the desired visual experience.
- Enjoy your 4K experience: Once all settings are adjusted to your liking, you can start enjoying the benefits of a 4K monitor with your MacBook Pro. Take advantage of the enhanced resolution and clarity for tasks like photo editing, video playback, or other high-resolution content.
Remember that connecting a 4K monitor to your MacBook Pro may require additional power, so ensure your MacBook is properly connected to an appropriate power source.
Best 4k Monitors of 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
SAMSUNG UJ59 Series 32-Inch 4K UHD (3840x2160) Computer Monitor, HDMI, Display Port, Eye Saver/Flicker Free Mode, FreeSync (LU32J590UQNXZA),Black
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WIDESCREEN UHD: With 4x the pixels of Full HD, get more screen space (vs 16:9 screen) and UHD images; View documents & webpages w/ less scrolling, work more comfortably w/ multiple windows & toolbars, and enjoy photos, videos & games in stunning 4K
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A BILLION COLOR SHADES: Supporting a billion shades of color, the UJ59 delivers incredibly vivid and realistic images; Its color accuracy means colors appear true to life, making the UJ59 ideal for photo, video and graphics applications
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SEAMLESS UPSCALING: Samsung’s UHD upscaling technology includes signal analysis and detail enhancement that seamlessly upconverts SD, HD and Full HD content to near UHD-level picture quality
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WIDESCREEN 4K GAMING: With 8.3 million pixels supporting a wide range of colors and resolving every image with astonishing clarity, UHD gives you a wider view for a truly thrilling and immersive gaming experience
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SMOOTHER GAMEPLAY: AMD FreeSync synchronizes the refresh rate of your graphics card & monitor to reduce image tear & stutter; Low Input Lag Mode minimizes the delay between mouse, keyboard or joystick input and onscreen response for smooth gaming
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
HP OMEN 27k UHD 144Hz Gaming Monitor, 4K UHD Display (3840 x 2160), IPS Panel, 99% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3, 16:9, OMEN Gaming Hub, 27k (2023),Black
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UNCOMPROMISING PERFORMANCE - Get lost in the captivating definition and ultra-precise details of 4K resolution on this 27” diagonal monitor. The pixel dense 3840 x 2160 resolution transforms your game into a remarkable, lifelike experience
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VISUALS BEYOND IMAGINATION - Get deeper hues and a wide array of colors with 99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 for precisely recreated colors so lifelike you get lost in your gameplay
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THE JOY HQ - Behold your gaming headquarters. Whether you’re playing in or out of game, quickly switch between devices and control them with the same keyboard & mouse thanks to the KVM switch
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REFINE YOUR PLAY SPACE - Made to impress in and out of game, the new OMEN look blends sophistication and fun to elevate what a gaming setup can look like. Through aRGB lighting and integrated dual speakers, make your play space just how you like it
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ALL YOUR FUN, CUSTOM - Play around with every possible setting in OMEN Gaming Hub—a one-stop shop for customizing your ecosystem. Make your monitor, any PC, and select accessories work better together the way you want
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EVERY MOTION AND PIXEL KEEPS UP WITH YOU - How fast your pixels can react to changing frames is critical for fast-paced gaming, and a 1ms GtG response time with Overdrive ensures even the most action-packed moments are fluid, crisp, and free of motion blur
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EASILY MAKE OUT DETAILS - See details even in shadow and replicate reality on your screen with VESA DisplayHDR 400 for enhanced contrast, deeper shadows and brighter highlights
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NEXT GEN CONSOLE COMPATIBLE - Compatible with any console, and get 120FPS at 4K through HDMI 2.1 on the latest consoles
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ADJUSTABLE STAND - Find comfort while you game with 100mm of height adjust, pivot and tilt capabilities
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HP EYE EASE WITH EYESAFE CERTIFICATION - Keep your screentime comfortable with beautiful colors while reducing blue light.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q1A 28” Monitor, 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), IPS, Adaptive-Sync/ FreeSync, Eye Care, DisplayPort HDMI, DCI-P3 HDR 10, Shadow Boost, Black
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28-inch 4K (3840x2160) IPS DCI-P3 grade gaming monitor for stunning crisp and detailed visuals.Specific uses for product - Gaming
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Compatible with industry-standard HDR10 high dynamic range for color and brightness levels that exceed the capabilities of ordinary monitors
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FreeSync technology to eliminate screen tearing and choppy frame rates
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Shadow Boost enhances image details in dark areas, brightening scenes without over-exposing bright areas
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Rich Connectivity with HDMI (v2.0) x2 and DisplayPort 1.2 ports
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Supports both Adaptive-Sync with NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards and FreeSync with AMD Radeon graphics cards Compatible with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 series, GTX 16 series, RTX 20 series and newer graphics cards
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What's in the box: DisplayPort cable, Power cord, Warranty card, Quick Start guide
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Dell S2721QS 27 Inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS Ultra-Thin Bezel Monitor, AMD FreeSync (HDMI, DisplayPort), VESA Certified, Silver
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IMMERSIVE DISPLAY: Experience stunning 4K UHD with a three-sided ultrathin bezel design, providing immersive viewing with 4 times the resolution of Full HD. Supports HDR content playback for a lifelike visual experience.Specific uses for product - Gaming.Pixel Per Inch : 163. Brightness : 350 cd/m².Horizontal Viewing Angle : 178°. Vertical Viewing Angle : 178°
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ELEGENT DESIGN: The back side of this monitor features a subtle textured pattern that gives it a unique look. It brings the feeling of a harmonious blend of great style and quality into every living space.
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COMFORT VIEW: Customize your viewing experience with a height adjustable stand, tilt, swivel & pivot features, ensuring all-day comfort and ergonomic versatility.
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SEAMLEASS SWITCHING: Built-in dual HDMI ports keep your devices always plugged in and let you effortlessly switch between streaming and console gaming.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
SAMSUNG 43" Odyssey Neo G7 Series 4K UHD Smart Gaming Monitor, 144Hz, 1ms, VESA Display HDR600, Quantum Matrix Technology, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, LS43CG702NNXZA, 2023, Black
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QUANTUM MATRIX TECHNOLOGY: Quantum Matrix Technology w/ Quantum Mini LEDs create controlled brightness and impressive contrast for games to come to life; Plus, advanced 12-bit back light unit allows detailed HDR control for unmatched picture quality*.Power Supply Type : AC100-240V 50/60Hz. Power Cable Length : 1.5 m
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VESA DISPLAY HDR600: Experience a new level of multi-entertainment with life-like visuals; With 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and VESA Display HDR600, both videos and games deliver abundant, deeper blacks and greater color detail*Sync Premium Pro
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SMART TV EXPERIENCE: Enjoy your favorite shows and movies through the Smart TV apps; Take a break from marathon gaming sessions and catch up on must-see streaming content with just a simple Wi-Fi connection**
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SAMSUNG GAMING HUB: The best of gaming all in one place; Samsung Gaming Hub allows instant access to top cloud gaming services and your favorite consoles; Smooth visuals and responsive gameplay are powered by advanced game streaming technology***
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4K GAMING REFRESH RATES: 144Hz refresh rate eliminates lag for gameplay with ultra-smooth action; Identify enemies with elite precision with a 1ms(MPRT) response time , precise mouse movements, and blur-free frames with minimized ghosting*
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AMD FREESYNC PREMIUM PRO: Effortlessly smooth gameplay; AMD FreeSync Premium Pro features adaptive sync technology which reduces screen tearing, stutter, and input latency; Low frame rate compensation ensures every scene flows seamlessly
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MATTE DISPLAY: Focus only on what matters; The matte display absorbs, but does not reflect, artificial and natural light, minimizing glare and keeping you immersed during the toughest battles and hardest levels*
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FLEX MOVE SCREEN: Optimize your gaming setup for boosted performance with Flex Move Screen by adjusting the on-screen size from 43 to 20 inches so you can maintain a winning position****
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ULTRAWIDE GAME VIEW: Extend the screen and uncover unseen areas of game worlds with the Ultrawide Game View feature; Expand the aspect ratio easily from 16:9 to 21:9 to gain a competitive edge****
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GAME BAR: Easily view the status of the most important settings such as FPS or HDR; Modify response time or screen ratio, as well as the game picture mode, without having to leave your game screen to keep you focused on your goal*
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Dell S2722QC 27-inch 4K USB-C Monitor - UHD (3840 x 2160) Display, 60Hz Refresh Rate, 8MS Grey-to-Grey Response Time (Normal Mode), Built-in Dual 3W Speakers, 1.07 Billion Colors Platinum Silver
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SUPERIOR SCREEN: With a three-sided ultrathin bezel design that lets you to see more without interruptions, high functionality meets superb style. Enjoy crisp visuals with an impressive 4.0ms response time.Specific uses for product - Business.Pixel per inch (PPI) : 163. Operating Temperature : 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
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COMFORT COMES FIRST: Customize your views with a height-adjustable stand and a monitor that tilts, swivels and pivots so you look your best and feel your best during work sessions or movie binges.
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VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY: Easily charge and connect your laptop on this USB-C monitor. This single-cable solution reduces clutter on your desktop and transmits power, video, audio and data—all at once.
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INTEGRATED SPEAKERS: This usb-c monitor comes equipped with everything you need including built-in dual 3W integrated speakers.
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PERSONALIZED COMFORT: Customize your views with a height-adjustable stand that tilts, swivels and pivots allowing you to view at your most optimal position.
What is a 4K monitor?
A 4K monitor refers to a display or screen that has a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels, which is also known as Ultra HD (UHD) resolution. It offers a higher level of visual detail and clarity compared to lower-resolution monitors. The name "4K" comes from the horizontal pixel count, which is close to 4000 pixels. These monitors are widely used in various fields, including gaming, video editing, graphic design, and media consumption, as they provide a vivid and immersive viewing experience.
What is the ideal response time for a 4K monitor?
The ideal response time for a 4K monitor is typically considered to be 1ms. This means that the pixels on the screen can transition from one color to another in just one millisecond. However, response time can vary among different monitors, and some may have slightly higher response times but still provide a smooth viewing experience. It is important to note that response time is not the only factor to consider when choosing a monitor; factors such as refresh rate and input lag also play a role in determining the overall performance and user experience.
What is the difference between a 4K monitor and a regular HD monitor?
The main difference between a 4K monitor and a regular HD (high-definition) monitor lies in their resolution and pixel density.
A regular HD monitor, also known as a 1080p monitor, typically has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. This means that the display can show a maximum of 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically. The pixel density is relatively low, resulting in a less sharp and detailed image.
On the other hand, a 4K monitor has a significantly higher resolution of 3840x2160 pixels, which is four times the resolution of a 1080p monitor. The increased pixel density of a 4K display provides a much sharper and more detailed image, allowing for finer details to be visible. This makes it particularly advantageous for tasks that require precise and clear visuals, such as photo or video editing, graphic design, or watching high-quality multimedia content.
In summary, the primary difference between a 4K monitor and a regular HD monitor is the resolution and pixel density, with 4K offering a significantly higher level of detail and clarity.
