HDMI Input to MacBook Pro: What You Need to Know

If you're considering connecting your external monitor or projector to a 2021 MacBook Pro, it's essential to understand the limitations of its HDMI port. Unfortunately, the HDMI port on these laptops conforms to the older HDMI 2.0 specification rather than the newer HDMI 2.1.

HDMI 2.0 vs HDMI 2.1: What's the Difference?

The main difference between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 is the support for higher refresh rates, particularly in 4K resolution. HDMI 2.1 supports refresh rates up to 120Hz, while HDMI 2.0 is limited to 60Hz.

Limitations of MacBook Pro's HDMI Port

If you connect a monitor that supports higher refresh rates via HDMI 2.1 to the MacBook Pro's HDMI 2.0 port, it will limit the refresh rate to 60Hz. This means you won't be able to take advantage of an external monitor that supports higher refresh rates.

Additionally, the MacBook Pro's HDMI port doesn't support features specific to HDMI 2.1, including high dynamic range (HDR) content at 60 frames per second.

What Can You Connect to the MacBook Pro's HDMI Port?

According to Apple's technical specifications, you can connect one external display with 4K resolution at 60Hz via the notebook's HDMI 2.0 port. However, if your monitor supports higher refresh rates or HDR content, you may not be able to take full advantage of these features.

While the MacBook Pro's HDMI port has some limitations, it's still a great option for connecting your external monitors or projectors. Just keep in mind that it only conforms to the HDMI 2.0 specification and doesn't support the latest features of HDMI 2.1. With this information, you can make informed decisions about how to use your MacBook Pro's HDMI port.

Hdmi input to macbook pro