Connect a mid 2015 macbook pro laptop to a dell monitor 2721HGF

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Level 1

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Connect a mid 2015 macbook pro laptop to a dell monitor 2721HGF

The Dell monitor has two HDMI port, and comes with an HDMI cable. My mac is able to detect the Dell monitor (mirror for built in Retina display mode) but the monitor says no HDMI2 signal if I plug it into HDMI2, and no HDMI cable if I plug it into HDMI1.

I read on one of the threads that the Dell HDMI cable which comes with the monitor may not be of high quality, and I ordered an adapter and cable to be able to connect to the monitor via my mini displayport (thunderbolt port). Is there a chance that what I ordered will work?

Cable Matters 8K Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort 1.4 Adapter (Mini DP to DP 1.4) in Black - 8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz Resolution Ready - Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 Port Compatible

and then

Capshi VESA Certified DisplayPort Cable 1.4, 8K DP Cable 3.3FT (8K@60Hz, 4K@144Hz, 2K@240Hz) HBR3 Support 32.4Gbps, HDCP 2.2, HDR10 FreeSync G-Sync for Gaming Monitor 3090 Graphics PC (Grey)

My macbook pro mid 2015 MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015) - Technical Specifications

and the dell monitor https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-27-curved-gaming-monitor-s2721hgf/apd/210-axgw/monitors-monitor-accessories

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Jul 6, 2023 5:24 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Servant of Cats

Level 7

29,231 points

Jul 6, 2023 10:17 PM in response to sansid3

The Dell site says that monitor has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, two HDMI inputs and a DisplayPort input. Your 15" Mid-2015 MacBook Pro has two Thunderbolt 2 ports (which double as Mini DisplayPorts) and a HDMI port.

The simplest connection would involve either

A Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, or
A HDMI to HDMI cable

From what I understand, Mini DisplayPort and DisplayPort carry exactly the same signals. It's just that the Mini connector is physically smaller.

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Answer 2

sansid3 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 11, 2023 9:06 PM in response to Servant of Cats

And the answer is, I cannot use the Dell Monitor.

I received the DP to DP cable. and DP to mini DP adaptor.

I switched the Dell monitor menu to DP port.

In the mac System Preference Display

The mac does not see the monitor,

while the monitor says 'no DP signal from your device",

with either thunderbolt ports on the mac.

I now see another post that said

Dell 27-inch Monitor - S2721DGF / Early 2014 Macbook Air

The DisplayPort on the early 2014 MacBook Air is not compatible

with the latest DP 1.4 on the S2721DGF monitor. I returned

the monitor and ordered the Dell S2722DGM which uses DP 1.2. My early

2014 MacBook Air perfectly supports 1440p at 60Hz via a mini DisplayPort

to DisplayPort adaptor, and then using the displayport cable supplied

with the monitor.

Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor – S2721HGF

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-27-curved-gaming-monitor-s2721hgf/apd/210-axgw/monitors-monitor-accessories

DisplayPort 1.2

So I can still hope to get this monitor to work, but I need to try a

mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable 1.2

Yes?

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Answer 3

Jul 11, 2023 9:37 PM in response to sansid3

I wonder if the problem with the first monitor has anything to do with the refresh rate. Aside from that, the fact that the setup doesn't work is surprising.

Apple's technical specifications say that the HDMI output has "Support for 1080p resolution at up to 60Hz" and don't mention a refresh rate for Thunderbolt 2 / Mini DisplayPort output. For other Macs, it's common to see 60 Hz refresh rates (or sometimes 24 or 30 Hz refresh rates for high-resolution monitors).

As for whether the second monitor will work, I guess you'll just have to see.

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Answer 4

sansid3 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 11, 2023 9:49 PM in response to Servant of Cats

I did not order a new monitor, I ordered a new cable 1.2 compatible

instead of 1.4 compatible

Accell

B143B-007B Mdp to DP 1.2 - VESA-Certified Mini DisplayPort to

DisplayPort 1.2 Cable - 6 Feet (Black), Hbr2, 4K UHD @60Hz,

1920X1080@240Hz

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Answer 5

Jul 11, 2023 11:54 PM in response to sansid3

As far as I know, DisplayPort 1.4 cables should be compatible with DisplayPort 1.2 equipment. DisplayPort version 1.4 equipment probably places more demands on cables than DisplayPort 1.2 did. So you'd rate cables according to the most demanding version of DisplayPort they support.

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Answer 6

sansid3 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 12, 2023 6:56 AM in response to Servant of Cats

In response to your concern over refresh rates, I went back to the monitor menu to see if I could access the refresh rate from there, but I only saw the option to select Display port, HDMI1 or HDMI2. I selected Display port again. I connected the 1.4 DP cables and suddenly the monitor started to work! Mystery

Thank you for your support Servant of Cats!

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