Apple's new Studio Display XDR monitor has limited functionality on older Silicon Macs
Source: Engadget
Compatibility Overview
If you’re looking to pre‑order Apple’s new Studio Display XDR monitor but have an older Mac, be aware of some potential issues. According to the compatibility list spotted by Apple Insider, the new display will only work at 60 Hz—not its full 120 Hz refresh rate—on some older and less powerful Apple Silicon models. Support for older Intel Macs isn’t mentioned at all for either the Studio Display XDR or the cheaper Studio Display.
Apple Silicon Macs
All Apple Silicon Macs will work with both monitors, including those with the earliest M1 chips, according to Apple’s support pages. However, the compatibility list for the Studio Display XDR includes this note:
“Mac models with M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, and M3 support Studio Display XDR at up to 60 Hz. All other Studio Display XDR features are supported.”
So even a high‑performance M1 Ultra‑based Mac is capped at 60 Hz on the Studio Display XDR, despite the chip’s ability to drive third‑party monitors at 120 Hz.
iPad Pro Compatibility
Only the iPad Pro M5 supports the Studio Display XDR at 120 Hz. All other compatible iPad models (including other iPad Pro generations and the iPad Air family) are limited to 60 Hz.
Intel Macs
Intel Mac support isn’t mentioned in the compatibility list for either display, though they may function in a limited manner when connected. Intel Macs just received their last new OS update with macOS Tahoe (and only three more years of security updates), making it surprising that they aren’t compatible with Apple’s latest monitors.
This article originally appeared on Engadget: Apple’s new Studio Display XDR monitor has limited functionality on older Silicon Macs.