Neither Studio Display nor Studio Display XDR works as intended with Intel-based Macs. 5K 120Hz is only supported on newer Macs.
Earlier this week, Apple introduced two new 5K LCD monitors. They are traditional IPS LCD panels, but come with a range of features designed for tight integration with a Mac.
With Studio Display XDR, which replaces the older Display Pro XDR, Apple is also starting the transition to 120Hz in PC monitors, much like Dell did in 2024.
Requires a Mac with Apple Silicon
Apple says that neither of the two new monitors is compatible with Macs based on Intel processors. The company began phasing out Intel in 2020 in favor of its own 'Apple Silicon' chips.
In practice, this means that the monitors only work as intended with the following models:
- 13" MacBook Air (M1, 2020 and newer)
- 15" MacBook Air (2023 and newer)
- 13" MacBook Pro (M1, 2020 and newer)
- 14" MacBook Pro (2021 and newer)
- 16" MacBook Pro (2021 and newer)
- 24" iMac (2021 and newer)
- Mac mini (2020 and newer)
- Mac Studio (2022 and newer)
- Mac Pro (2023 and newer)
Studio Display XDR features adaptive refresh from 47Hz to 120Hz.
Both new Studio Displays feature Thunderbolt 5 and USB-C, but no HDMI ports. Users can most likely connect the monitors to older Macs and PCs via DisplayPort, which is integrated into Thunderbolt 5, but in that case you will only get a video signal and not audio, camera, microphone or other Mac-specific integration – you lose everything that makes the Studio Displays unique.
To enable these features, Apple's Studio Display has a built-in A19 chip, while Studio Display XDR features an A19 Pro chip, according to
Macrumors.
macOS 26 Tahoe will be the final version of Apple's operating system to support Intel-based Macs.
5K 120Hz requires a newer Mac
The transition from 60Hz to the much smoother 120Hz, combined with 5K resolution, requires high bandwidth and a powerful GPU. According to Apple, only newer Macs are capable of driving Studio Display XDR at 5K 120Hz.
Mac models with M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2 and M3 are limited to 60Hz with Studio Display XDR.
In other words, only Macs with M2 Pro/Max/Ultra, M3 Pro/Max/Ultra, M4 and M4 Pro/Max, or M5 and M5 Pro/Max can drive the monitor at 5K 120Hz. Studio Display XDR supports 47Hz to 120Hz variable refresh, which Apple calls 'ProMotion'.
iPad Pro with M5 can also drive Studio Display XDR at 120Hz.
