Mac M1 and multiple displays (Dell Thunderbolt display)

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Level 1

4 points

Mac M1 and multiple displays (Dell Thunderbolt display)

Hello, I have a MacBook Air, M1 2020. I have an external display (Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor - U2724DE). These connect fine and all works well.

I would like to connect a second monitor (Dell UltraSharp USB-C Hub Monitor - U2421E). This works fine with my Windows laptop via a Display Port daisy chain setup, but I understand there are some restrictions with Macs and daisy chain. I hoped that because me first external display is a Thunderbolt monitor, I would be able to make this work.

I'm using an Anker Thunderbolt 4 cable between my MacBook Air and the Dell Thunderbolt Hub Monitor, but it won't show the second monitor.

Is it possible to connect the second monitor with this setup?

I can try Display Port, USB C or HDMI to connect the second monitor to the first. Have tried those first two options with no success, not tried HDMI yet.

Would appreciate your help.

Thanks, Russ

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Dec 17, 2023 11:24 AM

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Answer 1

Jack-19

Level 8

46,288 points

Dec 17, 2023 12:02 PM in response to rw435

Hey there!

Regrettably, you cannot use more than one external display with your MacBook Air. From MacBook Air (M1, 2020) - Technical Specifications,

Display Support

Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:

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

Hope this helps!

-Jack

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Answer 2

Dec 17, 2023 2:20 PM in response to rw435

You can connect two monitors with resolutions of 4K or less to one Thunderbolt port on a Mac if

The device plugged directly into the Mac is a Thunderbolt device that can separate out two video signals, and
The Mac has hardware video support for at least two displays.

Your Mac fails the second test.

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Answer 3

Jack-19

Level 8

46,288 points

Dec 17, 2023 2:09 PM in response to rw435

Unfortunately no. Only one external display is supported.

-Jack

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Answer 4

Jan 30, 2024 12:43 PM in response to rw435

Please tell me, are you satisfied with the resolution of 2K and 120 Hertz?

Have you thought about buying a 4K Dell U2723QE?

I am currently choosing between Dell U2723QE and Dell U2724DE. I choose between 120 hertz or 4K. What do you recommend?

I am a regular user. Working with documents, watching videos.

It seems to me that 120 hertz in the monitor would be the best choice, since most likely all Macbooks will switch to 120 hertz and the information on the monitor will be displayed better.

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Answer 5

rw435 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 17, 2023 1:05 PM in response to Jack-19

Thank you Jack. I read on another forum that it was possible if the first monitor is connected by thunderbolt and it's a thunderbolt monitor. Any truth in that? Thank you.

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Answer 6

rw435 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 17, 2023 2:46 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Thank you for your help.

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Mac M1 and multiple displays (Dell Thunderbolt display)

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