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User profile for user: Noyed
Noyed Author
User level: Level 1
15 points

Two external monitors with MacBook pro

Trying to work out two different monitors connected via HDMI to MacBook Pro 13"

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)


I have a 4k monitor hooked up and works great at the 3840x2160. I've added a second lower res 1080 monitor.

Couple issues/questions:

  1. In System Preferences -> Displays, it seems to only show one external monitor - does a this MacBook Pro only support one external monitor?
  2. Can I operate each monitor as separate screens? They seem to only mirror each other.
  3. The resolution on my 4k seems to default down to what the 1080 monitor does. The only resolution was to disconnect the 1080


MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Oct 20, 2020 12:43 PM

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User profile for user: neuroanatomist
neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9
50,065 points

Posted on Oct 20, 2020 12:49 PM

Your Mac supports up to two external displays at 4K resolution. How, exactly, do you have them connected? Note that many of the <$100 docks that claim to support dual/triple displays that you find on Amazon really only support one external desktop and if you connect multiple displays they just mirror.


If you want to connect two external displays, you can use separate USB-C-to-HDMI adapters (i.e. connect each of the two displays directly to your Mac), or you can use a proper dual-display dock. For the latter, expect to pay >$200, the brands to choose from are Brydge (Stone Pro), Elgato, OWC, Belkin and Kensington.

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User profile for user: neuroanatomist
neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9
50,065 points

Oct 20, 2020 12:49 PM in response to Noyed

Your Mac supports up to two external displays at 4K resolution. How, exactly, do you have them connected? Note that many of the <$100 docks that claim to support dual/triple displays that you find on Amazon really only support one external desktop and if you connect multiple displays they just mirror.


If you want to connect two external displays, you can use separate USB-C-to-HDMI adapters (i.e. connect each of the two displays directly to your Mac), or you can use a proper dual-display dock. For the latter, expect to pay >$200, the brands to choose from are Brydge (Stone Pro), Elgato, OWC, Belkin and Kensington.

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User profile for user: Noyed
Noyed Author
User level: Level 1
15 points

Oct 20, 2020 1:14 PM in response to neuroanatomist

@neuroanatomist

Thanks. I did buy a <$100 dock and never thought of this being an issue with it. Can I continue to use the dock for one monitor and a separate HDMI->USB C cable for the other to get the proper configuration supported?

Is there a specific model of >$200 dock you might recommend? Maybe that's a costly option to save ports though.

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Two external monitors with MacBook pro

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