Can I connect two Samsung Odyssey 49 Inch Curved Monitors to MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Pro

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Level 1

20 points

Can I connect two Samsung Odyssey 49 Inch Curved Monitors to MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Pro

Is it possible to connect a second (I have one connected now) Samsung 49 Inch curved monitor to a MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Pro? I currently have this monitor plus an older HP 27 inch monitor connected. The Samsung is connected directly to the HDMI port and the HP is connected to an HDMI port in a USB-C hub connected to one of the Thunderbolt ports.

This is the Samsung monitor (Odyssey G93SC Series OLED Curved Gaming Monitor, 240Hz):

https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-DisplayHDR-FreeSync-Adjustable-LS49CG932SNXZA/dp/B0CDQMQQS2

If dual monitors doesn't work with an M2 Pro, would it work with M3 Pro?

I have tried and I have to admit sometimes I have to unplug and re-plug back in the 27 inch in a certain order to get it to start working, so there is some weirdness going on probably related to USB hub but maybe not. I tried second Samsung monitor using HDMI to Thunderbolt cable (directly into Thunderbolt port) which didn't seem to work, but I have to try the whole unplug/replug sequence too on those to make sure it is not that. I was thinking of trying Displayport to Thunderbolt cable. Manual says it has a USBC 3 hub built in. Is that the same as Thunderbolt, so I would try just a straight Thunderbolt cable...?

Link to description of ports on Samsung monitor

https://www.samsung.com/ca/monitors/gaming/odyssey-oled-g9-g93sc-49-inch-240hz-curved-dual-qhd-ls49cg932snxza/#specs

Thanks,

-Scott

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.1

Posted on Dec 25, 2023 5:41 PM

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Answer 1

howarduns

Level 2

475 points

Dec 26, 2023 8:13 PM in response to howarduns

M2 monitor support according to Apple:

On your MacBook Pro with Apple M2 Pro, you can connect up to two external displays in the following configurations:

Connect one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using a Thunderbolt port and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144 Hz using the HDMI port.

Connect up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using the Thunderbolt ports.

You can also connect a single display with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz or up to 4K resolution at 240 Hz using the HDMI port.

On your MacBook Pro with Apple M2 Max, you can connect up to four external displays in the following configurations:

Connect up to three external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using the Thunderbolt ports and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144 Hz using the HDMI port.

Connect up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using the Thunderbolt ports and, using the HDMI port, either one external display with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz or one external display with up to 4K resolution at 240 Hz.

Source:

Use an external display with your MacBook Pro - Apple Support (CA)

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Answer 2

Dec 26, 2023 6:57 PM in response to scottyincali

Not the same guy, just the same Avatar

In order to support up to TWO displays on one cable out of a Mac, the Port, the cable, and the first device (dock or display) must be genuine thunderbolt. All others are one cable, one display.

Support for DIRECT HDMI 2.1 to run higher than 4K at 60 over the built-in HDMI was first included in MacBook Pro and Mac Studio released in 2023, and featuring M2 processors.

HDMI is troublesome. High resolution, high speed HDMI is very difficult to produce using any adapters. They get burn your skin off hot and fail readily. If you need to use adapters or a Dock at high resolutions, use the DisplayPort input of the display (if so equipped).

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Answer 3

howarduns

Level 2

475 points

Dec 26, 2023 4:44 PM in response to scottyincali

Hi Scott.

Please excuse my ignorance (re your MacBook having a built-in HDMI port).

If your USB-C hub is not powered and doesn't have its own built in graphics card, using those three large monitors may be exceeding the video capability of your MacBook.

Try using the two 49-inch at a lower resolution or a different refresh rate (that is less demanding). This will test the hypothesis, which you already arrived at.

Are you also using the display on the MacBook.

Howard

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Answer 4

howarduns

Level 2

475 points

Dec 26, 2023 8:09 PM in response to scottyincali

Hi Scotty.

M3 monitor support according to Apple:

MacBook Pro with M3 Pro. You can connect up to two external displays in the following configurations:

Connect one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using a Thunderbolt port and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144 Hz using the HDMI port.

Connect up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using the Thunderbolt ports.

You can also connect a single display with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz or up to 4K resolution at 240 Hz using the HDMI port.

MacBook Pro with M3 Max. You can connect up to four external displays in the following configurations:

Connect up to three external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using the Thunderbolt ports and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144 Hz using the HDMI port.

Connect up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz using the Thunderbolt ports and, using the HDMI port, either one external display with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz or one external display with up to 4K resolution at 240 Hz.

Source:

Use an external display with your MacBook Pro - Apple Support (CA)

Howard

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Answer 5

howarduns

Level 2

475 points

Dec 26, 2023 9:25 AM in response to scottyincali

Hi Scott.

I suggest that you try the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.

USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter - Apple (CA)

Howard

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Answer 6

scottyincali Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 26, 2023 9:41 AM in response to howarduns

My MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Pro already has a built in HDMI port and three Thunderbolt ports, so I don’t think this device which really only supports a single external monitor is the correct answer. I’m trying to get two 49 inch external monitors working whereas I have 1 49 inch external and 1 27 inch external working now.

-Scott

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Answer 7

scottyincali Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 26, 2023 3:43 PM in response to howarduns

We have one of those, but I don't see the difference between that and my USBC hub which has extra HDMI ports. I think my main question is, can the MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Pro actually DRIVE two of these monitors at all? Or are they too big\ for it to handle?

Thanks,

-Scott

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Answer 8

scottyincali Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 26, 2023 5:18 PM in response to howarduns

I do not use the MacBook display and intend to remove the 27 inch so it will still just be two external displays not three. Thanks, I will try all of your ideas.

-Scott

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