Dual display layout
Dual displays can be very resource heavy. When is that resource cost too high? What display deficiencies impact macOS? Apple macOS dual display support is weak. Extra display real estate can result in user data loss.
Using the Displays preference module, users cannot toggle Primary display status and Secondary display status to configure dual displays. That deficiency invokes at the very least physically swapping displays, with questionable long term results.
Apple does not provide displays that are large enough for our needs. We prefer a dual 3 foot monitor range with 2 billion colors plus in each display, as shown below.
Unfortunately, macOS Reinstall typically sets up the display on the left as Display (1). This may be due to MacPro automatically assigning display numbers based on Display WiFi proximity to the Mac device during the Reinstall process.
In our experience, the desired Mac (2) (1) layout (as in the image above) never happens: our desired display numbering is sadly reversed by macOS, consistently creating far too many Erase-Reinstall disasters. Where Displays preferences fix the unwanted Mac (1) (2) layout. Display cable changes are always ineffective. A physical half hour display swap with both displays plugged in and running throughout the swap is the only solution. As if w3 ins/main element war and time element pubdate phrasing weren't bad enough! Mac's got our better half.
This means that during Sierra-HighSierra and Monterey 12.5.1-12.6 system Reinstalls, the Software Update totally trashes our User personal data, beginning with a typical corrupt Desktop. 12.6 ignored our iCloud preference where we carefully unselect iCloud Documents and Desktop. Auto-selecting that unwanted preference, the rogue 12.6 update deleted over 2 TB of suddenly intermittent remains of Cloud-Local data.
Leaving us with fake 12.6 Desktop icons that blinked and spluttered (if at all available) and considerable loss of personal data. Every time this happens, Apple Care gimps, “You should Erase your computer and Reinstall. I hope you have a backup.” Apple Airport to the rescue.
Backup viability depends on risky Airport susceptibility to Apple malware Software Updates. The 12.6 fiasco wiped out 80% of our Airport content. We found one last viable restore chain! Good thing we also do manual external enclosure SSD backups. Because during that 12.6 fiasco, Apple forced a second, more intensive data destruction.
I must confess to dual display addiction. It is noted that each 3 foot display here is better than full Adobe 2 billion colors, keeping our Pro Alpine Explorers ready at all times for the worst cold that Old Man Weather can offer! Maybe we can share 3rd Display possibilities another day. For now, how do we improve our dual Displays preferences?