So I understand this laptop's HDMI connector is version 1.4 but this should be enough

to support 4k @ 30Hz. Disappointing no reply from Dell on this.

@sj12a  this came up in a few other threads about Inspiron xx93 systems.  I tried to help those people, but when it became clear that it wasn't a case of user error and multiple people were having the problem, I sent a private message to a Dell support rep here who's been very good about getting the attention of Engineering on issues that surface here and seem to be widespread and not related to user error.  He escalated it and reported back that he'd been sent internal documentation indicating that on the Inspiron 3493, 3593, 3793, 5493, and 5593, the HDMI port is limited to 1080p output, even though the HDMI output is specifically labeled as HDMI 1.4 in the system specs, which as you say should handle 4K 30 Hz.  He said he's working on getting some sort of support article published, but to my knowledge that hasn't happened, and of course that wouldn't actually solve anything.  I specifically asked about the underlying cause of this limitation and was told that Dell had chosen to keep that information internal.

I was incredibly disappointed with Dell on this issue, both for the design and the handling of information here, and I voiced that in posts I wrote in the threads where this first came up for the Inspiron 3493 here and the 3593 here.  Sorry that I don't have a better answer for you on this, and I'm even more sorry that DELL doesn't have a better answer for you here.  It makes no sense to make a laptop in this day and age that's limited to 1080p output, and even less sense to advertise an HDMI 1.4 port that can't actually perform at HDMI 1.4 levels.

@Atarime  I already answered your question as best I could in another thread where you asked the same one.  Please don't keep following me around posting this question in other people's threads.

@jphughan 

Hi. I know it's slusligh off topic, sorry about that. But you do seem very knowledgeable and after hours of research, I promise, I'm non the wiser. 

Dell G3 3590 ( 2019), rx1650 and i7 9570h. Outputs: hdmi2.0 and usb c (dp).

Will it be able to output 5120x2160  in 60Hz to lg 34wk95u? That's the displays native resolution.

I have encountered a lot of conflicting responses, but most interestingly people claiming that they do have that display running on their usb c to display port connectors, on dell G3 and XPS laptops.

Would be really grateful for the advice as I'm not sure if so can buy that LG monitor. Thanks!

@jphughan 

My apologies, I have posted the first one on my mobile and realized that I have never '@' you and I wasn't sure if you would see it, then form got reloaded and I posted it twice...

Because of that I moved to this thread and repeated myself with the @ and some updates to my question. 

Thank you very much for a thourough and helpful answer. Again, very sorry for the repeated/wrong thread.

I do appreciate your help and knowledge.

WOW!  DELL keeping hush hush on this design flaw, that does not work.  Then those people might want to contact DELL SUPPORT, for what it is worth.  Sounds like DELL is hoping they do not get many calls and with time, it will pass.  With hope, maybe a software update????

@jphughan   Thank you for your feedback, which we don't often receive on a DELL ERROR admittance?  

@jphughan

Thank you for following up on this. As you say it's very disappointing that Dell are manufacturing a laptop with what must be a known h/w error on their HDMI port to prevent 4k operation. Unfortunately I spec'd this laptop for a customer and it is now with them in the field and while they don't have an immediate requirement for 4k operation it may crop up in the future. I'd say this would be valid grounds for a warranty return but it would have to be through my local retailer. The spec's on the laptop are bang up to date - it really is a shame its external graphics capability is limited to HD. I'd be interested to hear if your Dell contact has anything else to say on the matter. Thanks!

Intel® Core™ i5-1035G1 Processor - Launch Date Q3'19
Processor Graphics
Processor Graphics ‡ Intel® UHD Graphics
Graphics Base Frequency 300 MHz
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency 1.05 GHz
Graphics Output eDP/DP/HDMI
4K Support Yes, at 120Hz
Max Resolution (HDMI 1.4)‡ 4096 x 2304
Max Resolution (DP)‡ 5120 x 3200
Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)‡ 5120 x 3200

@sj12a  I completely agree on the disappointment both in the system design, the misleading communication by calling out the HDMI port as version 1.4, and the lack of communication about this limitation.  All I heard from the Dell rep I escalated to was that he had seen internal documentation confirming that this limitation existed (i.e. it wasn't a driver issue or a customer configuration issue) and that he would try to get some sort of official article published about it in order to make customers aware.  If such an article has been posted, I'm not aware of it, nor have I heard anything further from the rep about it or any other aspect of this issue -- but of course that information on its own doesn't change anything about the limitation.  As you may have seen, I voiced my own personal thoughts about this situation in the threads I linked to in my earlier post here.  Since nothing about this situation has changed as far as I know, I don't really have any more to add to what I already posted in those other threads.

In terms of warranty return prospects, while I agree that Dell certainly should accept a return on a system that can't perform as the specs clearly suggested (i.e. HDMI 1.4 is supposed to support more than FHD), even if the system is beyond the standard return period, I don't know if they actually will.  I haven't seen any real-world reports of owners of these systems attempting that.  My guess though is that they might have an uphill battle, if for no other reason than a) the support reps you're likely to start talking to probably won't fully grasp this issue, and b) as I said earlier, Dell to my knowledge hasn't publicly posted any sort of information about this limitation, so customers who call in wouldn't be able to provide that to a support rep as proof of their claims of this limitation.

Very disappointing on multiple levels, in my view.

I created an account just so I can give you a 5 star. Glad I found this issue. I'm cancelling my order. Thank you for your honesty.

Any idea if the Vostro 15 5590 has the same issue?

@markmike  you're very welcome.  Glad you found my post useful, even if I wish I had better news.  I'll reply to your question about the Vostro in the new thread you created for that purpose to keep this thread on-topic.

i have the same issue on my 3793 , i7 1065g7 ,  i have a 21/9 monitor that i use to work, but with this laptop i can't uset ... why make a laptop in 2020 with 1080 limit output on hdmi, no more dell product.