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User profile for user: EvanWasHere4Ever
EvanWasHere4Ever Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

How to connect 2 external 4K monitors on the 2021 Macbook Pro M1 Pro?

On the new Macbook Pro M1 Pro, I want to hook up two 4k external monitors.


Is it possible to do this via a dock with 2 display port connections? Previously, on intel based Macbooks, this wasn't possible as the Mac wasn't compatible with MST via DP.


Using a dock would be the optimal configuration as if I had to use the built in HDMI port AND the USB-C port, everytime I had to disconnect, I would have to unplug 3 cables (including power).


What is the best method for outputting to two 4k screens?

Posted on Oct 26, 2021 2:04 PM

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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
133,291 points

Oct 26, 2021 4:23 PM in response to EvanWasHere4Ever

Imagine trying to run two large displays over something much simpler, like composite Video, where there is only ONE data wire, and you may start to see the problem, and the solution, come into focus.


For Multi-Stream Transport (MST) the link from the computer to the first display (or to the dock) needs to be ThunderBolt, because ThunderBolt has the bandwidth to handle two large displays and more. The second leg is only running one display, so it can usually be anything.


Use caution when looking at Docks. Most Dock makers do not make clear that the second display they support is a "fake" display, powered by DisplayLink software, and does not run at the same high standards as a Macintosh hardware-accelerated display, without dropped frames, dropouts within a row, or annoying lags in mouse-tracking.

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How to connect 2 external 4K monitors on the 2021 Macbook Pro M1 Pro?

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