does the new macbook air 15 support 2 external monitors

It is a workaround it's used by many people. A normal even £300 TB3 dock will not make a difference as its been software limited. The displaylink tech does some magic and makes it work. Your other comment:

Docks don’t increase the number of displays supported. Use of a dock provides the ability to attach more displays but the Mac's software and OS do not support the use of multiple external displays and the display performance (resolution/speed/quality) will be deteriorated to the point of being unsatisfactory/unusable.

Is also incorrect, as many people do use this and report it works fine. Not as well as native support would work but well enough.

My issue was Intel-based MBA supported two external displays. I bought two MBA M1's for my daughters and never connected them to more than 1 display. I just assumed it did.

I then bought an M2 15" MBA, and that's when I found out M1 and M2 MBA's do not natively support 2 displays. People had complained about this screw-up, I was just in the game.

I agree with you. Consumer level laptops had supported two displays for ages, and no one would think MBA M1's would drop that support. I'm very disappointed, but it is what it is.

I am quite confused by what you mean. It's been shown they can support 2 external monitors, but not via the native software because It's not supported. How would you like me to refer to it?

When you keep talking about a 'software lock' and artificial restrictions, you give other readers the impression that the machines MUST be able to support more first-class hardware video outputs. Unless you're an Apple engineer with access to internal documentation on the detailed capabilities of the M1/M2 chips and on the OS, access that would be subject to employment / non-disclosure agreements, chances are YOU DON"T KNOW if those chips could support more first-class hardware video outputs or not.

Also you are likely confusing other users here, I am trying to let people know that:

1. 1. Two external monitors are not natively supported
   2. The M1/M2 have the capacity to run multiple external monitors which you can do via a display-link dongle/adaptor and software
   3. Apple could fix this in software anytime they choose via an update.

How do you know whether #3 (that Apple could "fix" #1 at any time with a software patch) is true or not?

Apple limit external display output artificially. The M2 is capable of driving multiple monitors. It is advertised that they have Thunderbolt 3 and Displayport 2 support which shows capacity for 2 screens (40gb/s) then limit functionality in software. IMO they need to remove the software limitation or remove advertising these specs from the product descriptions.

I’ll need to challenge the M1 MacBooks capabilities since at our job site with Dell dock D6000 and displaylink drivers

we are able to project on two screens. We have this set up for all our MacBooks users.

In fact there is a workaround. I have been using two external monitors with my M1 Macbook air.

Three things to do.

1. get a dongle that supports DisplayLink as Slartibartfast_42 posted.
2. Install DisplayLink software for MacOS
3. get a USB-C to USB-A plug. Then make sure to connect your dongle to USB-A port first then USB-C port in your macbook. Plugging your dongle directly to macbook's usb-c port will not work.

There is. Display link works. I'm typing this from one of my two EXTERNAL monitors from 2020 M1 13" macbook pro. The problem is, part of why I love Apple is native support of features. I hate using third party software to drive native hardware. It works ok, just isn't Apple's norm.

TheLittles – That Apple support article doesn't yet have an entry for the M2 chip. The rules seem to be the same for the base M2 chip as for the base M1 chip (two displays total, including any built-in one) - with one significant difference.

On a M1 Mini, you can only connect one monitor using Thunderbolt or USB-C.

On a M2 Mini, you can connect two monitors that way (if you leave the HDMI port unused). This accounts for why the M1 Mini has Thunderbolt 3 rather than Thunderbolt 4.

Slartibartfast_42 wrote:

This is more like saying I bought a drill that had the ability to drill 3" inch holes but the onboard sensor detected when i used over a 2” hole saw and stopped the drill from turning. It’s anti-consumerism to lock out functions on hardware that can support them. It’s mad that Intel i3’s from 2012 could do multi monitor but the M1/2 cant. The M2 is an amazing tool and perfectly capable of driving these displays, the people making feature rationing decisions at Apple are the problem. Only by voicing this can we hope for change otherwise next they will remove the headphone jack and claim the M3 cant support it because the mac has inbuilt speakers.

FWIW, There are differences in capabilities, functionality, and price points. It sounds like you purchased a lower priced computer assuming it would have the same capability as a higher priced computer with the higher spec chip. The computer you purchased does not support your needs so you are now arguing that it should. The hardware is different (different cpu) and the specifications are very clear (one external display). You can buy a Mac that supports multiple external displays.

Sorry that your computer does not do what you need it to do. Arguing here is of no value and will not change the spec. You can provide feedback to Apple here: Product Feedback - Apple

Note that there is now a 14" MacBook Pro which uses the 'base' M3 chip, it has the same limitation:

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"Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and:

• One external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz"

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That entry-level MBP has gotten some things that 13" {M1/M2} MBPs did not have … but not all of them.

The 14" and 16" MBPs based on the {M1/M2/M3} {Pro and Max} chips can drive two – sometimes more – monitors. (See Technical Specifications for the particular model and chip for details.)

If multiple monitors are your thing, it is best to check Technical Specifications before purchase.

Slartibartfast_42 wrote:

Many people would see Thunderbolt or Displayport with the kind of data throughput they offer and assume they support this. Also they don't offer MST on Displayport which has been software locked for years.

I don’t get why one would be an apologist for this kind of anti-consumerism.

If support for multiple external displays is needed then buy a computer that supports multiple external displays.

If you need a tool that can drill 3 inch holes why would you buy a tool that can only drill 2 inch holes then argue that the 2 inch capable tool has the power to drill 3 inch holes? Use the right tool for the job.

Slartibartfast_42 Said:

“I’ll need to challenge the M1 MacBooks capabilities since at our job site with Dell dock D6000 and displaylink drivers we are able to project on two screens. We have this set up for all our MacBooks users.”

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Getting 3 External Displays:

Well, something interesting I came across the other day: My J5 USB-C Dual HDMI Docking Station allows for more then two extra monitors. How so? Well, plug in my projector to my Mac using the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter and then plug the J5 hub with 2 HDMI displays (one 4K), and I have 3 external screens. It all mirrors and extends. Who knew?!

rgvasquez Said:

“[…]I just purchased a 15" MBA and came here because it won't work with two external monitors! The second one is not connecting, but as soon as I unplug the first one, the second one is detected and connects.[….]”

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Connecting Three Displays:

Try the docking station that I mentioned in my previous reply. Works like a charm!

Slartibartfast_42 wrote:

You can actually workaround this using https://support.displaylink.com/, it just requires 3rd party software and a expensive dongle.

There is no workaround. Using Docks does not increase the number of displays supported. From the Apple Documentation: "Docks don’t increase the number of displays you can connect."

This is more like saying I bought a drill that had the ability to drill 3" inch holes but the onboard sensor detected when i used over a 2” hole saw and stopped the drill from turning. It’s anti-consumerism to lock out functions on hardware that can support them. It’s mad that Intel i3’s from 2012 could do multi monitor but the M1/2 cant. The M2 is an amazing tool and perfectly capable of driving these displays, the people making feature rationing decisions at Apple are the problem. Only by voicing this can we hope for change otherwise next they will remove the headphone jack and claim the M3 cant support it because the mac has inbuilt speakers.