How to connect AOC U2868PQU i- 28'' monitor to MacBook Air running macOS Catalina 10.16.5?

What software do I need to get get my AOC U2868PQU i- 28’’ monitor to operate on my MacBook Air (11” Mac 2012 which operates on Mac O S Catalina V10.16.5


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Original Title: How do I get my AOC U2868PQU i- 28’’ monitor to operate on my MacBook Air (11” Mac 2012 which operates on Mac O S Catalina V10.16.5

MacBook Air 11″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 25, 2025 1:16 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 25, 2025 10:59 AM

PC Magazine - AOC U2868PQU Review

DisplaySpecifications – 28" AOC U2868PQU - Specifications


That appears to be a 28" monitor with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels and a refresh rate of 50 – 76 Hz. It has DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, and VGA inputs. I'd assume that the latter two don't support anywhere close to the full resolution of the monitor.


MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2012) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support


That Mac has a Thunderbolt 1 port with a Mini DisplayPort connector that can double as a Mini DisplayPort. The easiest way to connect it to the monitor would be with a Mini DIsplayPort to DisplayPort cable.


However, your Mac doesn't support 4K monitors. It "simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors. If you can get a picture at all, it will be based on the Mac's and the monitor's willingness to use a lower resolution, like 2560x1440 (low resolution) or 1920x1080 (which might have fewer artifacts but which would result in rather large text).

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 25, 2025 10:59 AM in response to Mike-Bage

PC Magazine - AOC U2868PQU Review

DisplaySpecifications – 28" AOC U2868PQU - Specifications


That appears to be a 28" monitor with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels and a refresh rate of 50 – 76 Hz. It has DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, and VGA inputs. I'd assume that the latter two don't support anywhere close to the full resolution of the monitor.


MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2012) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support


That Mac has a Thunderbolt 1 port with a Mini DisplayPort connector that can double as a Mini DisplayPort. The easiest way to connect it to the monitor would be with a Mini DIsplayPort to DisplayPort cable.


However, your Mac doesn't support 4K monitors. It "simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors. If you can get a picture at all, it will be based on the Mac's and the monitor's willingness to use a lower resolution, like 2560x1440 (low resolution) or 1920x1080 (which might have fewer artifacts but which would result in rather large text).

Oct 25, 2025 1:30 AM in response to Mike-Bage

"How to connect AOC U2868PQU i- 28': monitor to MacBook Air running macOS Catalina 10.16.5?

What software do I need to get get my AOC U2868PQU i- 28’’ monitor to operate on my MacBook Air (11” Mac 2012 which operates on Mac O S Catalina V10.16.5"

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Troubleshooting AOC U2868PQU i- 28 to a 2012 Mac:


A. Use 4K Connection:

Being an Older Mac, you might need to downplay the resolution. Note doing so may cause issues from a black screen to choppiness to smaller fonts. Older Macs have Display Ports.

  1. Adapter: A high-quality USB-C to DisplayPort adapter - Amazon
  2. Cable: A DisplayPort cable (provided with the monitor). 


B. Verify the Connection:

Also, see if the monitor is even seen: 

  1. Hold Down: the Option key
  2. Click: the Apple menu
  3. Choose: System Information or System Report
  4. Select: Graphics & Displays from the list on the left
  5. Look For: this device in the list of displays

How to connect AOC U2868PQU i- 28'' monitor to MacBook Air running macOS Catalina 10.16.5?

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