Big Sur 11.1 External Display Issues!

Hi

I have a BenQ PD2720U hooked to a MacMini M1.

Via USB-C/TB3 it still won't work at full 4K@60Hz (only 30Hz), regardless the monitor DP version setting (1.2 or 1.4).

Via HDMI (native on Mac mini) it works well at any resolution.

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I may have to really give a second look at transitioning all my development to Windows 10. It isn’t too bad now with WSL and VScode integration 🤔. I also wouldn’t have to worry about previously working critical hardware like a monitor not working after an update for 4 months. I guess I’d have to keep the Mac for the occasional Xcode session 😢.

To each their own. I unfortunately use my MacBook docked to my monitor via usbc 95% of the time. This is convenient as all I need is to switch a single cable to have all my accessories transfer over between main rig and MacBook and work at the desk with the 32”. I absolutely hate using laptops on the go for anything not basic lol.

Thanks for the heads up about WSL!

Hope a fix for this is in the works.

Currently on the fence as to whether to buy a Mac Mini M1, or build a fanless NUC.

I'm a long-time Mac user, and the reported performance of the M1 is appealing, but I was already mildly put off by the (in my opinion) excessive prices for memory and internal storage which can't be upgraded later on. With this display bug gaining attention (not affected me before as long-time MBP user with integrated screen) and some reporting it has persisted for years, I'm beginning to think again...

NUCs are great but alas, they are not a Mac or rather have MacOS.

I will simply say to consider if you get the Mini - 512 SSD or larger and absolutely get the 16 gigs RAM. The latter does make a difference.

Of course you could get a lower end NUC and either go with Windows or better yet, Linux. Either way you'll miss MacOS (even Big Sur incarnation). Use it and later consider either a Mini or wait until the next round of M1 Mac offerings come out some time this year.

Hopefully, items will be more in order then such as any bluetooth challenges, more ports, and on the Mini, better placement of the 3.5 jack for audio (lame location and unusually tight fit to a fault).

My post should have been clearer - I want to buy the Mac Mini M1, but I am concerned about these display issues people are experiencing.

What concerns me most is that they seem to have been around for several years and OS iterations and Apple hasn't solved them, so I'm not reassured they will solve them now either, until it actually happens...

I admit I only have one monitor display being used and the connection is a usb-c to DisplayPort mini. It works well with the Mini M1 directly connected. I haven't had a chance yet to do the same with a TB3 connected dock that is on order.

Perhaps the ideal is to look to see which monitors are in act working well with M1 Macs and perhaps that will help you decide until the problems are corrected. I know that the maker of my monitor BenQ supposedly is creating their own fix but so far, I have not seen it published (most likely firmware update).

Hi, thanks! I do have a usb-c to HDMI convertor available for my (4) Mac Mini 2018 Thunderbolt ports and like you I can get two monitors to work (T3 --> T3 for LG Ultrafine 4k 23.7" , and HDMI --> usb-c to HDMI convertor for either of my two other displays) but now have a spare monitor---I used to get 3 to work. I can only get 1 display per each T3 controller to work (even with convertors = two of four Mac mini 2018 T3 ports). Any third display won't be recognized in the HDMI port--the HDMI to HDMI connected display shows up in display settings but the Mac reports no signal and the monitor then goes dark.

I've tried switching cables and displays back and forth with different convertors and trying to daisy chain off the T3 ports in the back of the Ultrafine but no luck. However I configure I can't get the LG Ultrafine 23.7", the LG 27UL600, and the Samsung 4K to all display at the same time. So I switch out the LG27UL600 and the Samsung 4K on the usb-c to HDMI port convertor.

I only display content streamed from Netflix, Shudder, HBOMax, and appleTv . I can't figure out if or when any of the content is being sent to my Mac in HDR but I'm happy with what I see on all my displays. Of the three (all are 4K), the LG Ultrafine 23.7" display won't recognize HDR but automatically maps to DCI-P3 wide color gamut (looks great); my LG27UL600-W and My Samsung 4K NU6900 are both HDR displays but sRGB color space so I don't know how much they can push HDR above SDR but I'm happy with them as they are.

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By the way the above attempts are my personal tested results from downloading Big Sur 11.1 and 11.2. The moderator informs me that they will edit any direct comments for OS in progress, betas from this forum (they should be referred to the beta forum/s). But I did try all the above with general release Big Sur 11.1 and 11.2.

On MacMini M1 my BenQ PD2720U is limited to 4k @30Hz whenever connected with Thunderbolt3 (either TB3 to TB3 or TB3 to DP or even TB3 to HDMI). So far I don't see any update from BenQ despite being a new model (2020) and latest BigSur 11.3 r5 doesn't fix it. Even passing to Display Port v1.2 on the monitor doesn't make things better. Very annoying since TB3 connection is much more desktop friendly and comfortable over HDMI+USB.

I have a Mac Mini and have never had issues with usb-c to HDMI for a second display. The Mac Mini 2018 is also limited to two displays --either through the HDMI (if it works) or a usb-c to HDMI you should be able to get the maximum two displays it supports--see below

The same o my site, my Dell P2415Q monitor is detected but in 2K resolution only what is not native resolution unfortunatelly :-( so the fonts are little fuzzy which is really bad.

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Big Sur 11.2.3 is installed and I have a brand new MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

Since the software updated, my external USB-C type monitor does not get recognized properly as an external display. It creates the same amount of desktop windows that are on my laptop and when I use the swipe functions on my mouse, the monitor moves screens as well, which is is not supposed to do and was not doing before this upgrade. Please fix!

I just spent $300 on this monitor. It's a Desklab. Thank you.

I'm having the same problem, Big Sur does not recognize my LG 4K monitor through USB-C - which is the only port on the latest MAcBook Pros!

If I have the monitor on and re-start the computer I can get it part of the way there - it recognizes up to 3360X1890, but that's not 4K, and fine details render incorrectly. This is a major fail for MAC OS, I can't believe this problem has been around since December 2020 and still no fix?

My impression is these are complicated issues on the handshake between the Mac and the display plus development work from the display manufacturer--with Big Sur I have never had a problem with the USB-C to HDMI though I cannot get my Mac Mini 2018 port to work. I have tried every available Big Sur version out and don't think a fix is in the works for the near term.