O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: Thunderbolt 3

  • Version 1.2 firmware update offers better compatibility between Blackmagic eGPU and Apple Pro Display XDR units

    If you’re a Blackmagic user, you’ll like this.

    Blackmagic Design has released a firmware update that now offers full compatibility between the Blackmagic eGPU and Apple’s Pro Display XDR monitor.

    While the setup had previously been working, it’s been noted that the update makes interoperability that much smoother.

    The 1.2 version release works with both the Blackmagic and Blackmagic Pro units. The Blackmagic units are compatible with any Mac connected to a Pro Display XDR over a Thunderbolt 3 connection and the update seems to improve compatibility.

    The 1.2 firmware update can be found via the Blackmagic Design website, which is linked below.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the update between the Blackmagic eGPU and the Pro Display XDR, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via The Mac Observer, Cult of Mac, and Blackmagic Design

  • Pro Display XDR only support 5K resolutions on some Mac models

    There might be a small issue here.

    In spite of the excitement surrounding Apple’s new Pro Display XDR for the 2019 Mac Pro, a new report from AppleInsider states that the display only supports a 5K resolution, as opposed to the 6K it’s been marketed as supporting on certain machines:

    According to Thomas Grove Carter, the Pro Display XDR features a 6K, 6,016 x 3,384 pixel resolution. Carter wrote that the display only achieved a 5K resolution when connected to an iMac Pro.

    Per Apple’s product specifications page, Apple has stated that the Pro Display XDR is compatible with a variety of Mac models, including the 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro, which features an MPX Module GPU, the 16-inch MacBook Pro, the 2019 21.5-inch iMac and the 2019 27-inch iMac. Other supported Mac models includes those with Thunderbolt 3 ports as well as hardware paired with the Blackmagic eGPU or Blackmagic eGPU Pro. Apple’s support page describes the setup process for the display, which states that the aforementioned Mac and Blackmagic eGPU setups are able to support the 6K resolution with 10-bit color.

    Apple has yet to offer an official statement as to the issue.

    Via The Mac Observer, AppleInsider, Pro Display XDR specifications, support.apple.com and @thomasgcarter

  • Intel announces 9th-gen processors, 10-nanometer “Ice Lake”, “Lakefield” processors

    Over at CES 2019, Intel teased its upcoming “Lakefield” processors.

    A total of six processors were introduced as part of Intel’s keynote address, all as part of the company’s ninth-generation of Core chips for desktop use. While six are incoming, details relating to only one, the Core i5-9400, was detailed by the chip producer.

    The Core i5-9400, which is due in the first quarter, is a six-core, six-thread chip with a base clock speed of 2.9GHx, rising to 4.1GHz when boosted. The unit is made using a 14-nanometer process, the chip features 9MB of cache, a thermal design point of 65W, and onboard Intel UHD Graphics 630.

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  • BlackMagic eGPU Pro availability pushed back to December on Apple’s online storefront

    A rather cool item that debuted alongside the new Mac mini and MacBook Air back in October has been delayed a bit.

    Apple, which recently added the Blackmagic eGPU Pro as an online store item, stated the unit would be released in late November. Unfortunately, the current listing now says that the device won’t be coming until December.

    Priced at $1,199, the Blackmagic eGPU Pro features a Radeon RX Vega 56 graphics processor with 8GB MBM2 memory, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB 3 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a DisplayPort 1.4 port. It offers 85W of power delivery.

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  • Apple launches 13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Solid-State Drive Service Program to address potential issues in 2017 model MacBook Pro SSDs

    If you have an Apple 13-inch non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro from 2017, this is important.

    Apple has launched a 13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Solid-State Drive Service Program. The program allows customers to get free SSD replacements on “a limited number” of devices affected with a data loss issue with those devices. It’s specifically for “MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports).”

    Per Apple:
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