Macbook Pro 2017 13 inch laptop recognising 2 monitors as one monitor after connecting to a thunderbolt type-c to hdmi hub

Question

Level 1

4 points

Macbook Pro 2017 13 inch laptop recognising 2 monitors as one monitor after connecting to a thunderbolt type-c to hdmi hub

I have 2 monitors that i want to connect to the macbook pro as extended displays but both are displaying the same stuff even when they are using different hdmi ports on the thunderbolt hub, the vendor where i bought the hub were suggesting i use windows on my macbook pro and then i use the windows built in " extend display " feature to use my monitors,

before i switch to windows i wanted to first confirm if its really not possible for me to use them on mac os.

this is how the hub looks like

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Nov 13, 2023 6:56 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

133,279 points

Nov 13, 2023 11:50 AM in response to lukyamuzi160

The BEST solution is to use a ThunderBolt display that could power your MacBook Pro at the same time, freeing up a Thunderbolt port. A close second would be a USB-C display that provided power, freeing up a Thunderbolt port.

The next best solution would be to use a genuine Thunderbolt dock with up to two interfaces that could drive displays. Many of these are not limited to HDMI as the only possible interfaces. To be Most useful, that dock would supply power for the computer as well.

The dock you have is a USB-C only Dock, and can only run one Mac display. If it had a power supply, it could provide Power for the computer, freeing up the other ThunderBolt port for a display..

Reply

Answer 2

lukyamuzi160 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 13, 2023 9:23 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for the help, my mac has 2 type-c ports only, so i got a second type-c to hdmi hub that has ability to charge the laptop. so i connected both hubs to the laptop directly and each hub connected to an independent monitor separately, the power adapter of my laptop i connected it to the type-c charging port of the hub that is connected to the port on the laptop that the charger was supposed to go and now both monitors are working independently. see photo below.

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 13, 2023 8:50 AM in response to lukyamuzi160

To support up to TWO displays on one cable from a MAC, the output port, the cable, and the first device must All be genuine Thunderbolt.

USB-C has far fewer data conductors, and the Mac does not support more than at most ONE display on a USB-C port.

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 13, 2023 9:48 AM in response to lukyamuzi160

That MacBook Pro 2017 13-in model supports:

Dual/Mirroring* 2nd Max. Resolution: 4096x2304 (x2*)

Details:* In addition to simultaneous support of the internal display, this model supports a maximum resolution up to 4096x2304 at 60 Hz at millions of colors on two external displays

-OR- a single external display at a maximum resolution up to 5120x2880 at 60 Hz at over a billion colors via Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C).

The Apple standard for its built-in hardware-accelerated displays, makes them suitable for full-motion video for production/display of cinema-quality video with NO dropped frames, and NO dropouts or partial-blank scan lines due to memory under-runs or other issues.

--------

Windows allows its display to be set to whatever resolutions you choose manually, and YOU bear the consequences for dropouts and sloppy-looking displays.

Reply

Answer 5

lukyamuzi160 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 13, 2023 11:26 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

okay, if my laptop can support both monitors, how do i fix my current problem?

should i upgrade to mac os ventura?

should i buy a new thunderbolt, if YES, where can i buy an apple recommended thunderbolt that will work well with my 2 monitors. what should i look out for when buying a thunderbolt

Reply