Following the release of OS X 10.9.3 yesterday with improvements for driving 4K displays, Apple has updated its support document detailing the new features and what hardware is officially supported. It also outlined how to optimize Macs that support 4K displays to get the best experience.
Apple notes that with Mavericks version 10.9.3 or higher, it now officially supports the following displays via DisplayPort at 30Hz using single-stream transport (SST):
- Sharp PN-K321
- ASUS PQ321Q
- Dell UP2414Q
- Dell UP3214Q
- Panasonic TC-L65WT600
Some Macs— the MacBook Pro (Retina, Late 2013) or Mac Pro (Late 2013)— are also capable of using 4K displays at 60 Hz, but Apple notes users will have to configure manually to use the necessary multi-stream transport (MST) protocol. Here’s instructions on configuring straight from Apple:
- Sharp PN-K321: Choose Menu > Setup > DisplayPort STREAM > MST > SET
- ASUS PQ321Q: Choose OSD menu > Setup > DisplayPort Stream
- Dell UP2414Q and UP3214Q: Choose Menu > Display Setting > DisplayPort 1.2 > Enable
- Panasonic TC-L65WT600: Choose Menu > Display Port Settings > Steam Setting > Auto
Previously Apple only listed support for the Sharp and Asus DisplayPort displays and MacBook Pros were only capable of a maximum 30Hz operation.
Apple says Macs running 10.9.3 will automatically detect one of the MST-enabled displays mentioned above, but some might require a software update to operate at 60Hz.
Apple also detailed instructions for optimizing or scaling the resolution through system preferences (pictured above), which we previously noted includes improved options for viewing at a pixel-doubled “Retina” resolution.
