Apple’s newer computers can support displays up to 8K resolution at 60Hz refresh rate. While these displays are still prohibitively expensive, 4K 120Hz displays are coming down in price and increasing in availability, but there are some limitations when used with Apple computers.
M-Series Processors
Apple computers with M-series ARM processors can support 4K 120Hz with the built-in HDMI port ( on 14-inch and 16-inch M-series MacBooks, Mac Mini, and Mac Studio computers ), or using a USB Type-C cable or USB Type-C to DisplayPort adapter directly to the external display. However when using a USB Type-C to HDMI adapter, or USB4 docking station with HDMI outputs, the display will be limited to 60Hz refresh rate.
Some adapter manufacturers have released Apple-Specific USB Type-C to HDMI adapters that misrepresent the display to the computer as a DisplayPort connection rather than HDMI, allowing it to enable 4K 120Hz. However this could lead to incompatibility with other computers and even issues with the same Apple systems over time.
Currently our USB Type-C and USB4 to HDMI adapters and docking stations are limited to 4K 60Hz with Apple M-Series based computers, this includes:
*Note, Apple host computers do not support DisplayPort Multi-Stream Technology (MST) and are only capable of enabling one external display with this docking station regardless of the display resolution or refresh rate.
Here is a comparison between connecting a 4K 144Hz MSI computer monitor to a MacBook Pro 13-inch with M2 processor using a USB Type-C data cable (left) and USBC-HDMI8K adapter (right) showing the available refresh rates. In both cases the display is properly detected, 4K resolution available, however the refresh rate is artificially limited to 60Hz when using the USB Type-C to HDMI adapter.
Intel Processors
Intel based Apple computers have a maximum of 4K 60Hz resolution and refresh rate dictated by the computer’s graphics controller hardware.