The documentation says:
You can connect up to two external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports.
Does this mean I have to use both the Thunderbolt port and a HDMI port? Can I connect two monitors via the Thunderbolt 4 port?
To properly support two Hardware-Accelerated displays, the Dock must be a ThunderBolt-3 dock, not just USB-C.
The first cable from the Mac to the Dock must be 40GB -capable, as the Apple short ThunderBolt-3 cable (0.8 meter=2.6 ft; US$29) is, but some others may not be. ("Shipped in the box" cables are immediately suspect -- these are usually "lowest bidder" cables, and may perform poorly under extreme conditions.)
Longer ThunderBolt-3 cables that are also cheap are suspect -- longer requires ACTIVE cables for top speeds (40GB/sec), and Apple's version of a longer (2 meter=6.5 ft) cable costs US$129.)
Apple phone support first responder reps are trained to be patient and methodical. Their technical expertise is WILDLY variable. Also, they want to tell you what is extremely likely to work for everyone without "fiddling".
I suggest you ask the maker of the Dock you are considering whether they support two hardware-accelerated displays, and under what conditions.
Hi,
Yes, if you want to connect 2 external monitors, you need to use Thunderbolt4 port and HDMI port.
So the other answer is wrong? I'm looking at using a Thunderbolt 4 dock. I called Apple today and what they said contradicts what you're saying - the rep told me I can't connect more than 1 4k display via a single Thunderbolt port. I can totally imagine the rep being wrong, but do you have any official sources for your information? Or maybe you have tried it yourself?
I am trying to find out the M1 Pro limitations, not the dock's. The dock does support it. Does the M1 Pro support 2 4K displays via a single Thunderbolt 4 port? You say it does - do you happen to have an official source that confirms this?
That's not true - they support HDMI monitors, for example, and they don't make those. Same with SD cards.
You're saying that the M1 Pro does support 2 4K monitors via a single port - what are you basing that on?
So the answer to the question is no? Is there some official source I can check out that confirms this?
What about M1 Max?
The answer here contradict what you're saying - is it wrong?
Apple does not say they officially support anything they have not tested extensively, and they only test Apple displays and docks.
Yes, you can via a Thunderbolt 4 Hub/Dock.
I had connected two gaming monitors via OWC Thunderbolt 4 hub/dock to provide dual DisplayPort video outputs to a DisplayPort 1.4 KVM switch which has two 4K monitors connected to its console sharing monitor ports.
Can I connect 2 4K monitors to an M1 Pro machine via a single Thunderbolt port (with a dock)?
