4K Graphics Adapter

[RavingMac]

Anyone tried this?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOZHL82/?tag=macforums0e4-20

It's an active adapter that supposedly will allow 4K graphics output from older legacy (pre Retina Macs)

 

[lclev]

That looks interesting. It has good reviews from users. I might need to get one of those. Okay, I have a weakness for collecting adapters. I can't name the number of times an adapter has saved my behind. It looks like it would work well with my 2011 MB Pro and my HDMI monitor - and it is reasonably priced.

Nice find.

Lisa

 

[RavingMac]

Thanks.
Mine should be delivered today. Will be trying it on a 2012 15in non-Retina MBP and Samsung UHD (4K) TV, and will post back results.

 

[lclev]

Excellent, will look forward to your opinions on it.

Lisa

 

[RavingMac]

Wife's birthday so can't take a lot of time out, but quick update:

1) Took some fiddling, but Samsung UHD TV is now running in 3840 X 2160 , picture is gorgeous!
2) So far can't figure out how to keep the secondary display from shutting down when I close the MBP. Used to do this all the time with my 27in Viewsonic 1080p monitor, so should work.

EDIT: Doooh!
Since I was in a hurry, grabbed my MBP but didn't bother with the power adapter. That's why it won't do clamshell mode . . .

 

[pigoo3]

Congrats Mike. When I first looked at this "gizmo"…it looked like a "plain-jane" mini-displayport to HDMI adapter!

So there must be some powerful magic inside!!!

- Nick

 

[RavingMac]

Congrats Mike. When I first looked at this "gizmo"…it looked like a "plain-jane" mini-displayport to HDMI adapter!

So there must be some powerful magic inside!!!

- Nick

I found it sort of by accident. I was checking on OWC site to see if they had a way to upgrade the graphics card on my MBP and ran accross a USB 3 adapter that purported to give 4K graphics from legacy Macs.
Since there were no user reviews and I tend to buy Amazon first preference, I looked on Amazon to see what was available and found a slew of Active Adapters. This one seemed to have the best reviews so I tried it, and am delighted I did.

$25 for an adapter beats the heck out of $2500 for a new iMac, especially since my MBP still has plenty of juice left.

 

[RavingMac]

Quick update: in process of building a home workstation (massive computer desk) so haven't had a chance to play with setup a lot. Did take some time out to try the adapter with my 2012 Mac Mini, no dice. Some reviews claimed to get 4K with this model of mini, but didn't work for me. On the other hand, 4K (UHD actually) works excellently with my 2012 non-retina MBP.

 

[pigoo3]

Quick update: in process of building a home workstation (massive computer desk)...

What's the deal with the "massive computer desk"? What sort of dimensions are you talking? What do you plan on placing on it?

- Nick

 

[RavingMac]

What do you plan on placing on it?

- Nick

. . . Everything!

Base of it is a 6 foot section of countertop with two Filing Cabinets as the base. 40 in UHD TV is wall mounted, and work surface is for my writing and photography stuff, including a couple of scanners (flat bed and sheet fed)

 

[pigoo3]

Base of it is a 6 foot section of countertop with two Filing Cabinets as the base. 40 in UHD TV is wall mounted, and work surface is for my writing and photography stuff, including a couple of scanners (flat bed and sheet fed)

Ok I see. I thought you meant you were going to make it from scratch…and maybe had specific dimensions in mind (due to specific things & amount of things you wanted to place on it). In any case…sounds like a nice sized desk…and very thrifty "repurposing" some stuff.

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

You administrators is getting paid too much!

 

[RavingMac]

You administrators is getting paid too much!

I think I am realistically being paid what I am worth . . . ;D

 

[pigoo3]

I think I am realistically being paid what I am worth . . . ;D

Ha ha…that's a very good one!!!

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

Beauty!

 

[RavingMac]

I need to post pics of my workstation and screenshots from my 4K TV/Monitor. Can't express how pleased I am with this $25 adapter. Running off my 2012 non-Retina MBP the 40in 3840x2160 display is just wonderful.

On the other hand, for some reason I cannot get the 2012 Mac Mini to work, though others claim success with that combination. Using SwitchResX I can get the screen real estate set up and reporting that it is 3840x2160, but text isn't sharp and neither are the graphics. With my MBP the screen looks 'Retina', with the Mini it looks 'Ragged'.

 

[RavingMac]

The Saga continues. . . ..

I am still loving my 40in Samsung 4K (UHD actually) HDTV as my workstation monitor, but don't like having my MBP tied to the desktop. So, I decided to buy this and try it with my 2012 MacMini

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018YHMMQ0/?tag=macforums0e4-20

The good news is it works like a charm and I get very crisp and solid 3180 X 2140 output. The bad news is I only get that, or 1080p. What I really want after much experimenting with my MBP is 2500 X 1600. This turns out to be a real good balance between crisp text and graphics while keeping text and menus large enough to be easily read.

So, I will be sending the adapter back and trying OWC's version.