Apple | Mac mini and MacBook Pro 14″ and 16″ (2023): Apple on requirements for external 8K displays | News | macbook

When Apple presented the M1 chip, the trade press held its breath: The performance and energy efficiency of the processor were considered groundbreaking and those computers equipped with the M1 are anything but old-fashioned even today. You had to search for a long time for weak points: the low working memory (maximum 16 gigabytes) and the fact that the devices only allow one or two external displays were mentioned most frequently. Apple is now also installing chips that are capable of more – and even enable the connection of an 8K screen on devices with the M2 Pro and M2 Max.

M2 Pro and M2 Max: Which external monitors are possible
In the MacBook Pro 14″ and 16″ (2023) either an M2 Pro or M2 Max is used. If you want to connect the notebook to one or more external monitors, you can use a number of options:

• M2: The chip allows an external display (up to 6K at 60 Hertz) via Thunderbolt and another screen with a maximum of 5K at 60 Hertz via Thunderbolt or 4K at 60 Hertz via HDMI.
• M2 Pro: Users can connect an external display with a resolution of up to 6K at 60 Hertz via Thunderbolt and a monitor with a resolution of up to 4K at 144 Hertz via HDMI. Alternatively, if required, two displays with up to 6K at 60 Hertz via Thunderbolt can be used. An 8K screen is also used if no other external display is connected.
• M2 Max: Up to three external screens with up to 6K at 60 Hertz can be connected via Thunderbolt and one monitor with up to 4K at 144 Hertz via HDMI. If the computer only outputs the image via two external displays (maximum 6K at 60 Hertz) via Thunderbolt, another screen (up to 8K at 60 Hertz or up to 4K at 240 Hertz) does its job via HDMI.

Requirements for 8K displays
Apple released a support document, which explains the exact requirements when connecting an 8K display. The MacBook Pro 14″ and 16″ (2023) can definitely handle this resolution, the Mac mini (2023) must be configured with an M2 Pro for this. Cupertino advises not to use adapters for the HDMI cable to get the best possible resolution and refresh rate. Furthermore, the company refers to a specific one Belkin connection cable, which enables a bandwidth of up to 48 Gbit/s and will be available from mid-February. Users should also note that the external display comes with a connector that supports HDMI 2.1.