Daisy Chaining Thunderbolt Monitors on an M1 Mac Mini

I got an M1 16 GB Mac Mini to connect to three monitors as follows in a flight simulator:

X-Plane 11.55.2 on a 16 GB M1 Mac Mini connected: (1) To a Dell model 2007 FPS monitor (1600 x 1200 @ 60 Hz via VGA on monitor to VGA/DVI-I adapter to Startech.com USB 3.0 Dual Head Graphics Adapter to USB-C on Mac Mini), and (2) to a Westinghouse TV model LDD2240 (1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz via HDMI to HDMU), and (3) to a Flatron W2252TQ (VGA ơn monitor to Belkin VGA/Thunderbolt adapter to Thunderbolt on Mac Mini). DisplayLink driver from Startech.com was loaded and activated. OS is Big Sur 11.4.  Logitech Saitek Yoke, Power Quadrant, Rudder Pedals, and Radio Stack.  Flight Velocity Pro Trim Wheel.  Mini iPad with ForeFlight is mounted on the yoke and provides GPS position on a map (VFR, IFR, or Satellite).  Another mini iPad with Air Manager V.3.7 from Sim Innovations shows the instrument panel, and allows one to have only external views on the three monitors.

The answer is "no" for the second Thunderbolt Display -- it will be "black" as part of M1 specific specification in terms of monitor support (does not matter through another TB 3 port or daisy chain).

The only possible for 2nd monitor has to be via HDMI port, in addition to the Thunderbolt.

The silver-lining: I was able to connect my old Elgato Thunderbolt 2 Hub to the Apple Thunderbolt Display and it has been working great.

The following link will take you to an article in the magazine “Midwest Flyer”. It describes how I got three monitors to work with a 16 GB M1 Mac Mini in a flight simulator. If you need further clarification, there is a link at the end of the article that will take you to a thread in the forums of X-Plane.org. The hook up is discussed in detail there. It did involve a DisplayLink and a driver from Startech. Let me know if you have problems with this.

[Link Edited by Moderator]

I have a roundabout way to connect two Thunderbolt2 27" Apple monitors to one M1MacMini

- but you won't like it much.

I have a work computer (MacBook Pro 16" 2019) sitting next to my M1MacMini. It's vertically docked with a Brydge (Henge) dock.

I connected Thunderbolt-27-A to the MacMini through a Thunderbolt-to-USB-C adapter.

I connected Thunderbolt-27-B to the MacBookPro through a Thunderbolt-to-USBC adapter (via a powered docking station)

I inserted an HDMI Dummy Plug (Headless Ghost, Display Emulator) into the M1MacMini HDMI port. I also set the display preferences for Scaled display (for scaled 2560x1440 resolution).

(https://www.amazon.com/Headless-Display-Emulator-Headless-1920x1080-Generation/dp/B06XT1Z9TF)

With both computers connected to the same network (important) I logged into the MacBookPro and initiated screen sharing with the M1MacMini. I set the display settings on the sharing to show only the HDMI screen. I then dragged the screen sharing window to the Thunderbolt-27-B display and clicked the green "full screen" button.

Now, I am looking at the M1MacMini "natively" on the Thunderbolt-27-A screen, and the HDMI port on the Thunderbolt-27-B screen (albeit screen-shared through the MacBookPro). I don't notice any lag in the screen sharing, and it works seamlessly with my mouse and keyboard connected to the M1MacMini.

Also, when I have to work on my MacBookPro, I unplug the Thunderbolt-27-A USB-C dongle and plug it into the MacBookPro USB-C port. Now, I am working on my MabBookPro using both the Thunderbolt-27" displays natively.

(incidentally, my mouse and keyboard are plugged into the USB-A ports of the Thunderbolt-27-A display - so when I switch from M1MacMini to MacBookPro, they also transfer over seamlessly).

Is it a roundabout way to get 2 full-screen Thunderbolt-27 displays working on my M1MacMini? Yes. But, it works for me - and I get the same setup for my work-MacBookPro.

(I warned you that you may not like it!)

While you cannot daisy chain Thunderbolt displays with the Mini, you could still daisy chain other Thunderbolt 1/2 devices.