The new Studio Display XDR has its limitations, as it won't work at 120Hz with some Macs, and it won't run on Intel Macs at all. Here's what the limits are.

Apple's Tuesday launch of the updated Studio Display and the new Studio Display XDR give consumers and creative professionals some new screens to consider when buying their next upgrade. However, owners of older Mac models may want check out if their hardware supports the new monitors.

Depending on your Mac, you may not get to use all of the functionality of the screens. In some cases, it won't work at all.

The specifications page for both monitors have compatibility lists, indicating which models they are compatible with. This covers both Macs and iPad lines.

The compatibility list for both models includes Macs running Apple Silicon and macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 or later:

The list does not include any Intel Mac models, meaning the monitors won't work on the earlier models at all.

The Studio Display XDR goes further, explaining that Mac models with an M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, or M3 chip will only work at up to 60Hz. Newer and more powerful Apple Silicon Macs support the higher 120Hz refresh rate.

The lack of 120Hz support for some Mac models is unexpected in a few cases. For example, while the M1 Ultra apparently can't support 120Hz on Apple's screen, it is still capable of driving third-party monitors that have 120Hz support.

The new Studio Display operates at 60Hz across all Mac models.

iPad support

Along with the Mac list, both displays also run off which iPad models will work with them. In all cases, it requires iPadOS 26.3.1 or later to be installed:

  • iPad Pro (M4 and M5)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd-6th generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (1st-4th generation)
  • iPad Air (M2, M3, and M4)
  • iPad Air (5th generation)

Again, in the case of the Studio Display XDR, Apple lists that only the M5 iPad Pro will support 120Hz. All other compatible models will run the display at 60Hz.

Earlier models of the iPad Pro and iPad Air, and all models of iPad and iPad mini, do not support the displays.