Docking station to support 3+ screens

Question

Docking station to support 3+ screens

Hello brains trust!

I'm looking for recommendations for a docking station for my MacbookPro (Apple M1 Pro Chip), 14" screen.

I currently have 2 x external monitors connected (1x60Hz, 1x 75Hz). I have another 60Hz monitor that I would like to use.

Everything that I've read says that I need to use a docking station (with DisplayLink or some other driver) to support this configuration.

The 60Hz is currently connected with USB-C, the 75Hz connected via HDMI. I'm not too phased if I have to get other cables to connect.

My question:

What do I need to be able to connect 2 x 60Hz (24") monitors and 1 x 75Hz (27") monitor
14" MacbookPro, Apple M1 Pro, currently running macOS Sonoma v14.4
Ideal world I'd be able to use the laptop as a 4th screen

Worth noting that I can extend to my iPad Pro easily (with 2 monitors + laptop) without any issues, but I do understand that this is because it is an Apple product.

Would love to know if anyone can do this without additional hardware, or if a docking station etc is required, how did you do it?

Thank you for any help!

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.4

Posted on May 9, 2024 12:23 AM

Reply

Answer 1

May 9, 2024 5:17 AM in response to CatalystCourt

The 14" M1 Pro MacBook Pro "Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors."

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

To plug both in using a single Mac host port,

That port needs to be a Thunderbolt port
The device connected to it needs to be a Thunderbolt device (e.g., Thunderbolt dock, not just plain USB-C dock)
The displays need to have resolutions of 4K or less

Many Thunderbolt docks will support a dual-monitor arrangement (in some fashion) if the computer does.

There is no dock or adapter that can increase the number of first-class, hardware-supported external display outputs. That is determined by the Mac's hardware and will never be more than two.

Reply

Answer 2

May 9, 2024 6:47 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Built-in HDMI in the M1 with PRO processor is limited to 4K at 60 Hz. Getting HDMI to go faster requires an M2 or later, as the adapters you would need to go higher are hard to find, fail quickly, and run "burn your skin off" HOT.

Reply

Answer 3

May 9, 2024 5:28 AM in response to CatalystCourt

There are workaround products (e.g., using DisplayLink) that may allow you to attach additional screens in a second class way. This involves running software on your computer that creates "virtual screens" and sends updates to an adapter / hub / dock equipped with a matching "magic decoder ring" chip set. There may be drawbacks such as

Artifacts and lags, especially if trying to display rapidly-changing content
Having screens go blank when you try to play DRM-infested video from streaming movie/TV services
The possibility that updates to macOS will break the software that drives the extra screens.

Other options include

AirPlay – to an Apple TV set-top box, an AirPlay-compatible "smart TV", or a Mac recent enough that it can act as an AirPlay Receiver
Sidecar – to an iPad (which you have been using with your iPad Pro)

Reply

Answer 4

May 9, 2024 5:27 AM in response to CatalystCourt

Synaptics is the company that supplies DisplayLink technology and chip sets to adapter / hub / dock vendors. If you use a DisplayLink-based product, you may need to visit the Synaptics site for drivers and installation information.

Synaptics – DisplayLink Graphics

DisplayLink KnowledgeBase – Troubleshooting: macOS

Reply

Answer 5

May 9, 2024 5:41 AM in response to Servant of Cats

I'm really hoping for recommendations on a dock that will allow me to do this (hardware).

I'm aware that I can do it with Display link, currently struggling with the 3 x displays (specifically that 2 are 60Hz and 1 is 75Hz - most seem to want to only support 60Hz or below).

It's worth noting that I'm not concerned about potential minimal lags with external screens connected via a dock.

Are there any docks (hardware) that you have used in this configuration that you recommend?

Reply

Answer 6

May 9, 2024 5:57 AM in response to CatalystCourt

I'm not using any of the DisplayLink or other workaround products.

Just a single 27" 4K monitor.

Reply