HT204154: Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Learn about Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
tkep10

Q: What accessory do I need to connect two external monitors to my early 2011 15 inch  MacBook Pro?

What accessory do I need to connect two external monitors to my early 2011 15 inch  MacBook Pro?

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Aug 31, 2015 9:03 AM

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Q: What accessory do I need to connect two external monitors to my early 2011 15 inch  MacBook Pro?

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Aug 31, 2015 9:15 AM in response to tkep10
    Level 9 (60,714 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 31, 2015 9:15 AM in response to tkep10

    The built-in display continues to work, and you may get very good results using the built-in as an "extra" display. There is no need to close the Mac to use an external display.

     

    everymac.com says:

    supports AN external display at 2560x1600 and passes an audio signal

    For the second external display, you would need a USB display adapter. USB display adapters are s-l-o-w to update, and using a mouse or trackpad with it can be torturous.

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/VIDU3DVIA/


    .

  • by tkep10,

    tkep10 tkep10 Aug 31, 2015 9:22 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 31, 2015 9:22 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thanks, but here is what I'm trying to find out:

    I currently have one external monitor connected to my early 2011 MacBook Pro.

    I want to connect one more so I would have two external monitors connected.

    What accessory/part do I need to buy to enable me to use two external monitors?

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Aug 31, 2015 9:29 AM in response to tkep10
    Level 9 (60,714 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 31, 2015 9:29 AM in response to tkep10

    Buy the item I linked (the blue underlined text in my response is a link to the product offered by a popular, Mac-centric vendor).

    Plug it into a USB port.

    Install the Mac Driver.

    connect your second external display to it.

    You will then have the best solution possible for the Mac that you own.

     

    If that is not a "nice enough" answer, you will need to convert your current MacBook to CASH (by selling it) and buy one that supports more displays "out-of-the-box".

  • by tkep10,

    tkep10 tkep10 Aug 31, 2015 9:33 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 31, 2015 9:33 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thanks, Grant. I didn't see your full response the first time. I see it now, sorry.

     

    You mentioned that it's painfully slow to connect through the USB port. My understanding is I can do it through the Thunderbird port. I just can't find info on the part I need to do it. Any ideas?

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Helpful

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Aug 31, 2015 9:58 AM in response to tkep10
    Level 9 (60,714 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 31, 2015 9:58 AM in response to tkep10

    USB displays are slow to update. If you do not need to use a mouse or trackpad with it, that may be tolerable. 

     

    Using the ThunderBolt port for additional displays is an intriguing idea.

     

    But on your particular Mac, there is only ONE ThunderBolt port, and daisy-chaining of external displays is not supported on any Mac at this writing. If you wanted to buy an external stunt-box with an additional display port on it, that is possible, but none have been offered at reasonable prices.

     

    A newer Mac with more display support is your best option for really fast-updating displays. All others are compromises.

  • by tkep10,

    tkep10 tkep10 Aug 31, 2015 10:09 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 31, 2015 10:09 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thank you!