What you need to know
- Blackmagic has released a firmware update for its eGPU units.
- 1.2 brings support for Apple's Pro Display XDR.
- It means you can now use a Pro Display XDR with both the eGPU and eGPU Pro via Thunderbolt 3.
Blackmagic has released a firmware update for its eGPU units, which will bring support for Apple's new Pro Display XDR.
As noted by MacGeneration, in its 'Latest Downloads' section, users can now pick up version 1.2 of Blackmagic's firmware for the eGPU and eGPU Pro. The description states:
This update adds support for Apple Pro Display XDR to the Blackmagic eGPU and Blackmagic eGPU Pro. Once the update has been installed, you'll be able to use Apple Pro Display XDR as a computer display when connected to a Mac with Thunderbolt 3 and either a Blackmagic eGPU or eGPU Pro.
Previously, it had been reported that unofficially, the Blackmagic eGPUs, as sold on Apple's website, were both already compatible with the Pro Display XDR, along with a handful of other Apple devices that weren't listed, such as the 5K iMac.
Apple's Pro Display XDR (opens in new tab) is a 6K, 32-inch Retina display, packing in over 1,600 nits of brightness and a 1,000,000:1 contract ratio. At a cool, $4,999 ($5,999 for the Nano-texture glass), that performance doesn't come cheap.
Apple sells two Blackmagic eGPUs through its website, the Blackmagic eGPU, and the Blackmagic eGPU Pro. The base model features the Radeon Pro 580, the same card that ships in the base model Mac Pro. It has 8GB of GDDR5, two Thunderbolt 3 Ports, four USB 3 ports and an HDMI 2.0. The Pro model packs similar capabilities but houses a Radeon RX Vega 56 for increased graphics performance.
Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.
Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple.
