I have a new MacBook Pro 13" (mid-2018 Touch Bar). I'm connecting an LG 27UD88 external display directly via the supplied USB-C cable, which is also used to provide power to the laptop plus allows the display to act as a hub for USB-A devices.
The screen achieves 4K @ 60Hz via the USB-C ports on the left-hand side of the laptop. However, when I connect it via either of the ports on the right-hand side, it maxes out at 30Hz.
I have tried resetting the PRAM/NVRAM and SMC, and tried the cable in different orientations.
When I option-click Scaling in Display Prefs, the refresh rate is limited to 30Hz with the right-hand ports.
I have found other questions which describe 60Hz/4K issues with dongles (1, 2, 3), and mention of this left-hand/right-hand disparity on Reddit, but there is nothing concrete about whether this is a universal issue.
My question is: is this a fault with this particular unit, or is this a known limitation of all 2018 13" MacBook Pros?
Update: I have found that it is able to drive another 4K display at 60Hz from the right-hand ports, via a USB-C to DisplayPort cable. I'm wondering if the problem above is associated with the fact that the laptop is also drawing power and USB hub functionality from the LG display.
Best Answer
In 2016 and 2017, the left-hand Thunderbolt ports were higher bandwidth than the right-hand ones, and this would be expected behaviour. For 2018 models, all 4 ports should have the same performance.
So is it possible that you have a 2017 model without knowing it? If not, then I think this is unexpected behaviour.