These Macs Can't Run the Studio Display XDR at 120Hz - MacRumors
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These Macs Can't Run the Studio Display XDR at 120Hz

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The new Studio Display XDR features a mini-LED display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, but you'll need a newer Mac to get support for the full 120Hz.

studio display xdr
According to Apple, Macs that have an M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, or M3 will only support the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR at 60Hz. All other features remain available.

For the full 120Hz refresh rate, you'll need to have a Mac with one of the following chips:

  • ‌M2‌ Pro, ‌M2‌ Max, ‌M2‌ Ultra
  • M3 Pro, M3 Max, M3 Ultra
  • M4 Pro, M4 Max
  • M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max

All Macs that have an Apple silicon chip can be used with the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR with the upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 update.

As for the iPad, The M5 iPad Pro supports the ‌Studio Display‌ at 120Hz, but all other compatible ‌iPad‌ models are limited to 60Hz. Compatible iPads include the M4 ‌iPad Pro‌, the 3rd-6th generation 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, 1st-4th generation 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, the ‌M2‌, M3, and M4 iPad Air models, and the 5th-generation ‌iPad Air‌.

For older Macs and iPads that don't support 120Hz, there is little reason to select the more expensive ‌Studio Display‌ XDR over the standard ‌Studio Display‌. The ‌Studio Display‌ starts at $1,599, while the XDR model starts at $3,299.

The ‌Studio Display‌ XDR will be available for pre-order tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time, with a launch to follow on March 11.

Related Roundup: Studio Display
Buyer's Guide: Displays (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Mac Accessories

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Top Rated Comments

F
Ferrandix
10 weeks ago
and... M4?
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
appleguy123 Avatar
appleguy123
10 weeks ago
Too expensive in general. I really wanted a monitor with these specs but $2000 was my hard limit.

Now it’s not even compatible with my MacBook Pro 1 M1 Pro, so it’s even easier to resist.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
abowlby Avatar
abowlby
10 weeks ago
Apple is willing to throw dust in Mother Nature's eyes if it means pushing people off their perfectly capable M1 MacBook Pros. 😄
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
abowlby Avatar
abowlby
10 weeks ago
Fun fact: a 12th Gen Core i3 (entry level chip) from 2021 (same year as M1/M1P/M1M) can push 6K at 120Hz.

I thought the M series chips were handed down from the Isu as Pieces of Eden. What gives?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
U
upandown
10 weeks ago
Would much rather have a far superior OLED monitor than these. And older Mac’s can run it at 120hz no problem.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
10 weeks ago

Imagine displays that require a certain main computer CPU to work. What BS. Cook needs to go.
Gating things behind Tahoe OS is the bigger offense to me.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments