How to connect two or more external displays to an M1, M2, or M3 MacBook

Macworld

While the higher-end MacBooks with M1/M2/M3 Pro and Max chips support multiple external displays, the majority of Apple’s lower-end range of MacBooks that use a standard M1, M2 or M3 processor cannot natively connect more than one external monitor. This is a massive limitation compared to the previous Intel-based generation of Mac laptops that could run two displays when connected to a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 docking station or hub.

Apple’s M3 MacBook Air models do now support two external monitors (if the MacBook has its lid closed in what is known as Clamshell Mode). The M3 MacBook Pro supports a similar feature, but the macOS Sonoma 14.6 update needs to be installed. We explain how to run dual external displays on an M3 MacBook in a separate article.

The solutions below, however, allow for more than two external displays on plain M1, M2 and M3 Macs with their lids open if you want it..

There have also been reports that the M3 MacBook Air with lid closed suffers significant performance decline due to heat build up, so following our advice below still has relevance even for M3 MacBook Air and Pro users who want to hook up to multiple displays and keep their Mac purring at full speed.

Later, we list our tested and recommended software and hardware solutions for adding more than one display to the plain M1, M2 and M3 Macs. You can jump straight to our list of the best DisplayLink docks if you know all about DisplayLink. If not, read on a while.

The solutions we explain here will also help M2 Pro and M3 Pro MacBook users extend to three external displays.

Here are the external display specs for Apple’s current laptops:

M1 MacBook Air: Maximum one external display—read our workarounds below.

M2 MacBook Air: Maximum one external display—read our workarounds below.

M3 MacBook Air: Maximum two external displays if MacBook lid is closed. Three using our workarounds.

M2 MacBook Pro: Maximum one external display—read our workarounds below.

M2 Pro MacBook Pro: Maximum two external displays. Four using our workarounds.

M2 Max MacBook Pro: Maximum four external displays.

M3 MacBook Air: Maximum two external displays if MacBook lid is closed. Three using our workarounds.

M3 MacBook Pro: Maximum two external displays if MacBook lid is closed. Three using our workarounds.

M3 Pro MacBook Pro: Maximum two external displays. Four using our workarounds.

M3 Max MacBook Pro: Maximum four external displays. Workarounds allow four using just one laptop port, plus dock.

However, there are ways around this plain M1/M2/M3 limitation, allowing you to run two or more external displays off your MacBook, which we will outline here. In each case, there’s a software download and a docking station, hub or adapter required. 

The simplest solution is to get a USB graphics-enabled docking station or hub, sometimes called a DisplayLink Dock—and we’ve reviewed the best ones later in this article. USB graphics is a software-based technology (DisplayLink or InstantView) that compresses the video signals from the computer to the monitor, enabling you to connect multiple external displays to your M1, M2 or M3 MacBook.

Installing third-party software drivers leads to a slight risk that these might later be unsupported by future updates of the macOS, but the two drivers we recommend are recognized industry standards that we believe will continue to be supported.

External displays: Big problem for M1, M2 and some M3 Macs

Apple’s Mac mini, MacBook Air, and 13-inch MacBook Pro were the first Macs to feature the Apple-designed M1 processor (CPU). They received rave reviews for their speed improvements over Intel-based laptops, including here on Macworld. Since then Apple has released M2 and M3 chips, plus Pro and Max versions of the M1, M2 and M3.

But if your MacBook setup includes running more than one external display, you have a major problem. Apple’s basic (non-Pro or Max) M1 and M2 chips simply won’t allow it—at least natively. Apple states in the M1 or M2 MacBook Air and M3 MacBook Pro tech specs that they support only “one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz”.








Apple

Apple


Apple

While the M1 and M2 MacBooks natively support just one monitor, the M1 and M2 Mac Mini does natively support up to two external monitors—one via the HDMI port and a second via USB-C. But the M1 and M2 models of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro (plus the M3 MacBook Pro) support only a single external display over Thunderbolt.

The latest M3 MacBook Air models (13- and 15-inch) are the first to support more than one external display—as long as you close the laptop’s lid (Clamshell Mode) to allow for the second external display. The first display (allowing an open MacBook lid) has a maximum 6K resolution at 60Hz. The second display (requiring the closed lid) can be up to 5K at 60Hz.

The14-inch M3 MacBook Pro also supports two external display in Clamshell Mode, but the macOS Sonoma 14.6 update must be installed to do this.

Apple doesn’t look like it will solve this problem for you—it would prefer you buy one of its more expensive laptops! We have this guide to monitors for M1 Macs and what you need to know before buying. We also cover the basics of how to connect your Mac to an external monitor.

Workaround #1: Install DisplayLink software drivers

You can use a combination of display technologies to get around the M1/M2/M3 MacBooks’ single-monitor limitation. DisplayLink is the most common software solution that you pair with a compatible dock: we’ve tested the best DisplayLink docks further down. Note that the docks need to state DisplayLink compatibility—you can’t just install DisplayLink drivers and hope they work with regular docks and hubs.

A whole new category of docks—many reviewed below—has appeared to solve the M1/M2/M3 Mac one-screen problem. DisplayLink USB-C docks or just USB-C docks require software drivers to enable data compression that make them almost as powerful as a Thunderbolt dock. You’ll need to download the appropriate DisplayLink software from the dock manufacturer—full instructions later on.

Many multi-display docks use a combination of native USB-C Alternate Mode (native “Alt Mode” video output) and DisplayLink technology. This combination serves as a workaround to the M1/M2/M3 platform supporting only a single external display via USB-C.

Note that DisplayLink requires a third-party driver to be installed on the Mac. There are different versions of the DisplayLink driver, and some bring their own compromises to the party. But, in general, setup is straightforward. Some of the docks we review below offer the DisplayLink software when you first connect the dock to your Mac.

The DisplayLink macOS app or DisplayLink Manager app are ways of enabling DisplayLink technology on macOS. The app is available as a standalone installer rather than through the mac App Store.




Plugable docking station and three external displays via DisplayLink.



Plugable docking station and three external displays via DisplayLink.

Plugable docking station and three external displays via DisplayLink.




1. First, download the latest Mac DisplayLink driver. As stated above, some docks, do this for you but it’s always best to use the latest version.

DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity App v. 1.10.2 is compatible with macOS Monterey 12, Ventura 13 and Sonoma 14. For macOS Big Sur 11, look for version 1.9, and v1.5 for Catalina 10.15. It can be managed via the DisplayLink icon in the Apple Menu bar.

The macOS requires the user to permit “Screen Recording” in order for DisplayLink devices to work properly. This can be found in System Preferences under Privacy in Security & Privacy; navigate to Screen Recording in the list on the left, then tick the Screen Recording permission for DisplayLink Manager after unlocking the padlock using your admin password. You may need to quit and restart DisplayLink Manager afterward. Don’t worry, DisplayLink isn’t recording your screen—this just lets it do its magic enabling multiple screens.

Installation is straightforward. Older versions did not support laptops’ closed-display/Clamshell Mode, but 1.8.1 and later do support Clamshell Mode if the MacBook is Intel-based running macOS 12 or if the MacBook is M1-based running macOS 11 or later.

The most scary bit is when you need to enable “Screen Recording” to allow the DisplayLink Manager app to capture pixels and send them to your USB peripheral. This entails making some adjustments in the Mac’s “Privacy” tab, but you are walked through it step by step. Take a look at the instructions here.

There’s an option in DisplayLink manager to “launch at startup”, or you can drag the DisplayLink Manager to your Login Items in Users & Groups.

2. Then connect the MacBook to a docking station.

3. For the first screen you can connect via the dock’s DisplayPort or HDMI Port, and this will be handled natively by the M1/M2 MacBook.

You could also connect the first external display via the dock’s other display ports or via a Thunderbolt or USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort adapter.

The HDMI or DisplayPort output uses Alternate Mode (Alt Mode), and as it is basically a pipeline directly to the system’s native GPU, it will behave just like if you hooked up a USB-C to HDMI dongle to your laptop. This requires no user driver installation.

The second and third displays will rely on the DisplayLink software. DisplayLink uses an installed driver and the system CPU and GPU to convert graphics data on the system into data packets. That data is then sent over the cable as data packets and converted back to video information and output to the monitors via the DisplayLink chip in the docking station.

Workaround #2: Install InstantView software

Another third-party software solution is SiliconMotion’s InstantView, which operates in a similar way to DisplayLink and works with three of the hardware hubs and adapters we review below.

The initial setup is easier than DisplayLink with the hubs from Hyper but similar to the Satechi hub—but it suffers the same challenge that Apple’s software updates could disable it, which will entail installing a newer version and allowing the necessary security & privacy settings for screen recording, just as with DisplayLink.

You can download the latest version of InstantView software here. The latest version supports macOS 14 Sonoma, 13 Ventura and 12 Monterey.

Neither software solution is complicated and both worked well in our tests as you can read below.

Which docks support DisplayLink and InstantView?

Originally, dock manufacturers did not officially support such a DisplayLink setup for Macs. The solution works, but they rightly warned that this could become unstuck in future versions of the macOS. Whenever there is a new OS update the drivers may need to be updated each time.

However, after some recent testing and improvements Plugable, for example, has updated its compatibility to officially support that configuration. For Mac compatibility, it has validated both Apple and Intel platforms running at least macOS 11.

Which dock is best?

A docking station connects to your MacBook via Thunderbolt or USB-C. It then offers multiple ports that your laptop now has access to. These can include new display ports, such as HDMI, as well as Gigabit Ethernet for wired Internet access, USB-C/Thunderbolt/USB-A ports at varying speeds, audio plugs, and card readers.

Learn more about the best Thunderbolt docking stations for more details, or you can connect via a simpler USB-C hub. Look for a dock with two or more display ports, preferably ones that can connect to your preferred displays without the need for an adapter.

Thunderbolt 4 docks or hubs often have no dedicated display port but three available TB4 ports that can be used to connect directly to a USB-C display or via adapters to HDMI or DisplayPort monitors. While you may have to buy an adapter cable, 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4’s port flexibility and backward compatibility are recommended for users of modern Macs such as the M1 and M2 MacBooks.

USB-C docks and hubs are usually cheaper, but not always so check our reviews below.

Docking station and hub manufacturers are now actively marketing their products as solutions to the M1/M2/M3 external display limitation. Each requires either the DisplayLink download or another similar software solution, such as InstantView, but no further hardware adapter except for the dock or hub itself. And of course, these hubs offer the usual multi-port benefits as well as the external monitor solution.

The best multiscreen hubs and adapters for M1, M2 and M3 MacBooks

Below we have gathered the best dedicated hubs and docks for multiscreen M1/M2/M3. Note that most of these listed (and tested) below use USB-C rather than Thunderbolt, so don’t benefit from the MacBook’s potential 40Gbps data bandwidth. If you require all 40Gbps, go for a Thunderbolt dock and install DisplayLink as instructed above.






Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink – three 4K displays at 60Hz for M1/M2, four for M3





















Pros

Supports up to four external displays at 4K 60Hz

One display at 6K 60Hz

11 ports, inc. three 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4

2x HDMI 2.0 video ports

Speedy SD card reader

96W charging and 180W power supply









Price When Reviewed:

$299.99




Best Prices Today:


$299.99 at Amazon$299.99 at Satechi






While plain M1 and M2 MacBooks are limited to three external displays using this dock when DisplayLink software is installed, M3 and M1/M2/M3 Pro/Max MacBooks can connect to four 4K at 60Hz.

Other docks reviewed here also allow M1 and M2 Macs to connect to three displays, but what we really like about the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink is right there in its name: it’s a full Thunderbolt 4 dock rather than USB-C. It therefore offers 40Gbps data-transfer rates compared to the 10Gbps that you’ll find on most of the other docks reviewed here.

If you require three monitors we think you might also prefer the fast data-transfer rates offered by Thunderbolt, so recommend this DisplayLink docking station to power users.

That Thunderbolt port connection also allows one of the three screens to be at 6K resolution (60Hz) while the other two via HDMI will be 4K at 60Hz.

There are two HDMI 2.0 ports plus a generous three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (as well as one upstream TB4 to the laptop). It doesn’t host any extra USB-C ports but the three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps data transfer, 15W power output) are backwards compatible with USB-C. There are two fast 10Gbps USB-A ports, too, plus a UHS-II SD card reader, Gigabit Ethernet and an audio jack.

Non-Pro/Max M3 Macs can connect to four displays using this dock, as long as the laptop’s lid is closed (clamshell mode). It’s also a great option for M1/M2/M3 Pro users usually restricted to two external displays.

Read our full

Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink review






Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) – two 4K displays at 60Hz





















Pros

Dual 4K monitor support for M1/M2/M3 Macs

13 ports

100W PD to laptop

Fast SD card reader


Cons

Not for fast data transfer

North America only









Price When Reviewed:

$199.95




Best Prices Today:


$199 at Walmart$199.95 at Amazon





Plugable’s redesigned UD-6950PDH docking station plus free-to-download DisplayLink software can connect two extra 4K/60Hz displays to M1, M2 and M3 Macs. While plain M3 MacBooks can already connect to two external displays, this DisplayLink dock allows plain M3 MacBooks to remain open with the two additional displays attached (otherwise the M3 laptop’s lid has to be closed).

It features an impressive 13 ports including Gigabit Ether, SD and MicroSD card readers and five spare USB ports.

You won’t get data transfer any faster than 5Gbps so if you crave the full 40Gbps Thunderbolt bandwidth you should instead consider the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink, reviewed above.

You can use both of the dock’s HDMI ports or both DisplayPort or a mix of each, depending on your monitor requirements. Two video ports will always be left empty, but the flexibility is welcome.

No availability outside of North America has yet been announced.

Read our full

Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) review






Alogic DX3 Triple 4K Display Universal Docking Station – three 4K displays at 60Hz





















Pros

Supports three external displays at 4K 60Hz

12 ports, inc. 10Gbps USB-C

3x DisplayPort 1.4 video ports

Speedy SD and MicroSD card readers

100W charging and 135W power supply









Price When Reviewed:

$299.99




Best Prices Today:


$236.04 at Amazon$299.99 at Alogic






This Alogic DisplayLink docking station is similar to the Satechi Triple 4K Display Dock (reviewed below) in that it supports up to three external 4K displays at an impressive 60Hz refresh rate and has an array of useful non-display ports. It can power the connected laptop at 100W and has a decent 135W external power supply so doesn’t require an extra USB-C charger.

The DisplayLink download link is clearly shown in the user manual, and instructions make sense—although you need a magnifying glass to read them!

The DX3 has fewer video ports than the Satechi dock but all are top-notch DisplayPort 1.4. If any of your monitors lacks DisplayPort but has HDMI, you’ll need to add an adapter between dock and display. As you’ll need to buy video cables anyway, this doesn’t matter as prices for straight cable and adapter cable are close enough.

Unlike the Satechi, this dock does have a card reader—indeed it has two: SD and MicroSD, both at top 312MBps UHS-II—allowing you to add inexpensive portable storage to your laptop setup.

It also has Gigabit Ethernet, four USB-A (one with 7.5W charging) and two 10Gbps USB-C (one 100W PD upstream to the laptop, and one 7.5W smaller device charging).

Choosing between the Alogic DX3 and Satechi Triple 4K docks could be decided on whether your monitors have HDMI rather than DisplayPort, although adapters mean there is an easy solution. We also applaud the DX3 for its dual SD card readers.

Reviewed further down this list is Alogic’s DX2, which supports two 4K displays at 60Hz and lacks some of the other ports found on the DX3. if you just need two external monitors for your M1/M2/M3 MacBook this may be a cheaper option.







Satechi Triple 4K Display Docking Station – three 4K displays at 60Hz





















Pros

Supports three external displays at 4K 60Hz

12 ports, inc. 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A

3x HDMI 2.0 and 2x DisplayPort 1.4 video ports

100W charging and 130W power supply


Cons

No card reader









Price When Reviewed:

$299.99




Best Prices Today:


$299.99 at Amazon$299.99 at SatechiNot Available at Adorama






The Satechi Triple 4K Display Docking Station is a quality horizontal dock that supports up to three external displays on a plain (non-Pro or -Max) M1/M2/M3 MacBook if you install DisplayLink software. The user manual includes a QR code that takes you to the software download page.

Competitively priced at $299 / £299, it features three HDMI ports and two DisplayPorts and can support three 4K displays at 60Hz on a Mac. The mix of HDMI and DisplayPort offers a more flexible monitor choice than some docks tested here, although adapters will provide easy solutions if your dock’s port is DisplayPort but the monitor has just HDMI.

There are 12 ports in total, including Gigabit Ethernet and 10Gbps USB-A and USB-C ports—two of which can power devices at a decent 7.5W. The dock connects to the MacBook via 10Gbps USB-C.

Unlike most of the docks reviewed here it comes with its own 130W power supply, so doesn’t require a high-powered USB-C charger.

It doesn’t boast a card reader to add inexpensive portable storage to your laptop, but you can buy one cheaply enough to attach to one of the USB ports.







Alogic DX2 Dual 4K Display Universal Docking Station – two 4K displays at 60Hz





















Pros

Supports two external displays at 4K 60Hz

10 ports

2x DisplayPort 1.4 video ports

65W charging and 100W power supply


Cons

No card reader









Price When Reviewed:

$259.99




Best Prices Today:


$215.99 at Walmart$224.04 at Amazon