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14" MBP: Is it better to connect a display over Thunderbolt or HDMI?
source link: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/14-mbp-is-it-better-to-connect-a-display-over-thunderbolt-or-hdmi.2348368/
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14" MBP: Is it better to connect a display over Thunderbolt or HDMI?
Jul 24, 2009
I have ports for both so I'm just curious if there's a real advantage to one over the other, assuming a monitor supports both. Or if monitors that only support HDMI might be cheaper.
fwmireault
Contributor
Jul 4, 2019
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Montreal, Canada
Depending of the monitor, Thunderbolt can charge your MacBook with the same cable for video transfer, so you can always have only one cable solution to connect to a monitor. HDMI doesn’t provide power to the host computer. Also, Thunderbolt has more bandwidth than HDMI (assuming you don’t have HDMI 2.1 on your monitor), and the port is just more versatile in general than HDMI. I’d go with Thunderbolt
jav6454
macrumors Core
Nov 14, 2007
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1 Geostationary Tower Plaza
Depends on which connector your display supports.
Jul 24, 2009
That's what I'm leaning, too. Charging ability is nice.Depending of the monitor, Thunderbolt can charge your MacBook with the same cable for video transfer, so you can always have only one cable solution to connect to a monitor. HDMI doesn’t provide power to the host computer. Also, Thunderbolt has more bandwidth than HDMI (assuming you don’t have HDMI 2.1 on your monitor), and the port is just more versatile in general than HDMI. I’d go with Thunderbolt
The MBP doesn't have HDMI 2.1, just 2.0, so I'm assuming that a monitor with HDMI 2.1 can't realize those benefits?
What's the benefit of "more bandwidth," exactly? Faster response times? I'd be using the monitor mostly for office work, but also some videos and gaming.
Jul 24, 2009
Well I haven't bought one yet, so I can get one that supports either or both. I'm trying to figure out if there's a significant advantage to one over the other.Depends on which connector your display supports.
jav6454
macrumors Core
Nov 14, 2007
19,867
4,107
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Like @fwmireault stated, the only advantage a Thunderbolt connected display might bring if it allows pass thru charging. Other than that, none.Well I haven't bought one yet, so I can get one that supports either or both. I'm trying to figure out if there's a significant advantage to one over the other.
One thing to also consider, a Thunderbolt/USB-C monitor can be connected from either side of your Mac, unlike the HDMI. The cable is also reversible (no up and down side) so it's easier to plug in. HDMI cables also tend to be thicker. As others have said, USB-C monitor can also charge your Mac.
jav6454
macrumors Core
Nov 14, 2007
19,867
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1 Geostationary Tower Plaza
Agreed, but the monitor has to support the standard of pass-thru charge for it to happen. Which, if my memory serves right it's almost all.One thing to also consider, a Thunderbolt/USB-C monitor can be connected from either side of your Mac. As others have said, it can also charge your Mac.
Jul 24, 2009
Yeah, if I go that route I'll just have to confirm that functionality works on the monitor.Agreed, but the monitor has to support the standard of pass-thru charge for it to happen. Which, if my memory serves right it's almost all.
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