Only high-end 2020 13-inch MacBook Pros support the Pro Display XDR

By Oliver Haslam
published

Pro Display Xdr Rear
Pro Display Xdr Rear (Image credit: iMore)

What you need to know

  • Apple today refreshed the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
  • The new notebook supports the 6K Pro Display XDR.
  • But only if you go for a high-end model.

Apple today refreshed its 13-inch MacBook Pro with a range that includes the new Intel 10th-generation processors. Those particular models also have four Thunderbolt 3 ports and, according to a recently refreshed tech specs page, support the Pro Display XDR.

The refreshed specification page for the Pro Display XDR (opens in new tab) now notes that the "13-inch MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt 3 ports (2020)" is supported. That means the new notebook will start at an eye-watering $1,799 (opens in new tab) if you plan on using the Pro Display XDR with it.

While Apple calls out the inclusion of four Thunderbolt 3 ports, it's likely that new processor and architecture that means those particular MacBook Pros can make use of the 6K resolution Pro Display XDR. The lower end, less costly models still use the two-generation-old 8th-generation Intel Core i5 chips instead.

If you're planning on pairing your new notebook with a $4,999 display you're probably not going to quibble over a few hundred dollars – and you likely want the power the 10th-generation chips offer anyway. But it's still a point worth laboring – not all 13-inch MacBook Pros released in 2020 will support Apple's own monitor.

Oliver Haslam
Oliver Haslam
Contributor

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too.

Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.