Thunderbolt Docking Station with 2020 MacBook Pro M1

Trying to find out if there is a work around to have multiple monitors - right now all I seem to be able to do is have laptop and 1 other view on extended monitors. When I go to Display, it only sees 1 extended monitor.


Posted on Dec 27, 2024 4:12 PM

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Posted on Dec 27, 2024 5:34 PM

There are workaround products based on DisplayLink and the like that would let you drive two displays in a second-class way. These involve using external "stunt box" (hub or adapter) equipped with a special chip set in connection with a matching third-party driver on your computer.


The workarounds may come with compromises, such as

  • Lags or artifacts
  • Poor suitability for applications involving rapidly-changing content (like video editing or gaming)
  • Having video blank out when you try to play video from DRM-infested streaming video services
  • Being dependent on a third-party to update their drivers if a macOS change breaks the workaround

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 27, 2024 5:34 PM in response to T_L_T

There are workaround products based on DisplayLink and the like that would let you drive two displays in a second-class way. These involve using external "stunt box" (hub or adapter) equipped with a special chip set in connection with a matching third-party driver on your computer.


The workarounds may come with compromises, such as

  • Lags or artifacts
  • Poor suitability for applications involving rapidly-changing content (like video editing or gaming)
  • Having video blank out when you try to play video from DRM-infested streaming video services
  • Being dependent on a third-party to update their drivers if a macOS change breaks the workaround

Dec 27, 2024 5:30 PM in response to T_L_T

That's a 13" M1 MacBook Pro with a plain M1 chip. It supports at most one external display.


MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support


Thunderbolt docks rely on a computer's first-class hardware-supported video output. So a Thunderbolt dock that could drive two displays with a more capable Mac will not drive two displays with yours. Your MBP will only provide the dock with a single video signal to pass around.

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Thunderbolt Docking Station with 2020 MacBook Pro M1

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