Linking Multiple Screens independant of each other to your macbook air m3

To connect multiple independent external monitors to your MacBook Air with the M3 chip, you'll need to use clamshell mode, which involves closing your MacBook's lid while it's connected to power and using an external keyboard and mouse.

In this mode, the M3 MacBook Air supports up to two external displays, allowing each to function independently.

Steps to Set Up Dual Monitors in Clamshell Mode:

Connect Power: Ensure your MacBook Air is connected to its power adapter.

Attach External Keyboard and Mouse: Connect an external keyboard and mouse or trackpad via Bluetooth or USB.

Connect Displays: Use Thunderbolt or USB-C to HDMI/DisplayPort adapters to connect your external monitors.

Close the Lid: Once everything is connected, close your MacBook's lid to activate clamshell mode.

For setups requiring more than two external monitors or to keep the MacBook's lid open while using multiple displays, consider using a DisplayLink-enabled docking station.

These docks can bypass the native display limitations by handling video output through USB, allowing for additional monitors.

Keep in mind that using DisplayLink solutions may require installing additional drivers and might not offer the same performance as native GPU outputs.

Leonidus_ wrote:

I wish i spoke to you before i got any idea of purchasing any monitors.

Still doing research on the information you have shared with me so far, this terminology has me repeating what im reading and reading to understand in slow motion.

What are your thoughts on the following:

1. https://a.co/d/gQhx10Z

2. https://www.takealot.com/dell-wd19s-usb-c-dock-130w-ac-adapter/PLID73148180

3. https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-thunderbolt-hub

4. https://a.co/d/iuIfSUl

5. https://a.co/d/8W5e0C1

It does however seem like id have to actually migrate to C type cords for some of the above Docks

Docking station #1 ("TobenONE DisplayLink Docking Station Triple Monitor with 120W Power Adapter, Triple 4K Display for MacBook Pro/Air, Thunderbolt 4/3, USB-C Windows (3X HDMI, 3X DisplayPort, 2xUSB-C, 4xUSB 3.2, SD/TF)" uses a "workaround" technology (DIsplayLink) and requires installation of drivers before using the dock. You'd be paying $176 (nearly as much as some Thunderbolt docks cost) to use a second-class "workaround."

--------

That Dell WD19s (Docking station #2) is not, by itself, a Thunderbolt dock. It's a plain USB-C one – with a twist. The specification sheet on the Dell site seems to indicate that you can purchase an additional Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4 module to turn it into one.

Dell – Dell Dock – WD19S 130W

Dell – Dell Thunderbolt Dock - WD22TB4 Module

However, the WD19S is already $219.99 without that module. It's another $139.99 for the WD22TB4 module, so when you add that in, you'd be spending $360.

Supporting Mac users does not exactly seem to be Dell's focus when it comes to docking stations If you look at the OS requirements on Dell's site, they don't mention macOS. Just Windows 10 and 11 and two distributions of Linux.

--------

#3 and #5 appear to be the same product – the Other World Computing Thunderbolt Hub. This splits a single Thunderbolt chain into three Thunderbolt chains, and a USB-A port, allowing you to connect up to two USB-C displays or display adapters. #3 is being sold by OWC themselves whereas #5 is being sold by some Amazon Marketplace vendor whom I've never heard of before.

#4 appears to be an Amazon listing for the OWC Thunderbolt Mini Dock. While OWC is one of the Marketplace sellers, there are a number of others that I have never heard of.

Other World Computing – OWC Thunderbolt mini Dock

Leonidus_ wrote:

Thank you for the swift response, so i have a JVC Ultrawide IPS Curved 34" 3440 x 1440p WQHD. Model Number LT-GN3545. and a 4k ultrawide curved samsung monitor, they currently both light up except they actually mirror one another and the other monitor doesnt actually show on the Macbook Airs display settings. When i use clamshell mode both monitors still appear as one, they mirror each other.

The docking station is a Blueendless 12 IN 1 USB C HUB Type-c To Dual HDMI-compatible Display Docking Station. with no instructions of use except its functionality.

Maybe this one?

AliExpress – Blueendless Dual Hdtv 12 Ports Type C Hub Aluminum Multi Port SD/TF card reader RJ45 1000M VGA Usb Adapter 12 In 1 Usb C Hub

Despite the claim that it can drive two displays in an extended fashion under macOS, I see no indication that this is a Thunderbolt dock capable of doing so. Nor any mention of installing a driver so that you can drive one or both of the monitors attached to the thing in a second-class way (with compromises).

Any docks you can suggest that wont break bank to work seemlessly with the macbook air m3?

No genuine Thunderbolt dock is going to be anywhere near as inexpensive as the two BlueExpress devices I've mentioned here. Sorry. You're not going to get a quality Thunderbolt dock for $18.74.

The M3 MacBook Air can only drive two external monitors when the lid is closed.

Use dual monitors with your MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M3 chip - Apple Support

In addition, Macs do not support driving two displays through a plain USB-C hub or dock. To connect two displays, using hardware-supported video, the device attached to the Mac must be a Thunderbolt device. I couldn't find any Blueexpress device that appeared to be a Thunderbolt device.

AliExpress – Blueendless TYPE C to dual Hdmi Compatible USB C Hub Splitter 4K 60HZ Dual Screen Expantion For macbook Mobile phone PC

Leonidus_ wrote:

Alright!

Thank you too for the developing clarity, is there a thunderbot you can suggest without breaking bank?

I don't know what your budget is.

If you do not have the budget for a proper Thunderbolt dock, you could consider

• Connecting one of your displays to your M3 MacBook Air through a plain USB-C dock (such as the dock that you already have)
• Connecting the other display directly to the M3 MacBook /Air's other USB-C port. (It's easy to find USB-C to DisplayPort and USB-C to HDMI adapters and adapter cables, should you need one of them.)

That would tie up both of your USB-C ports, but you would still have the ports on the plain USB-C dock available for plugging in USB drives, memory cards, etc.

--------------------

As far as Thunderbolt hubs, docks, and dual display adapters, I would suggest looking at the offerings from

• Other World Computing
• SonnetTech
• CalDigit

These three companies have been in the business of selling Thunderbolt gear to Mac users for a long time.

Check descriptions carefully. You may find little surprises like the one I found here: SonnetTech – Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock – Technical Specifications ("Mac (M1/M2/M3) supports only one display"). I can't say whether this is a result of mistakenly lumping in the plain M3 chip with the plain M1 and M2 chips, or if this indicates that there is a real limitation with using this dock with a M3 MacBook Air.

It's safest in this case to assume that if the vendor says there is a limitation, there actually is one.

Im actually looking to run charts on these screens in hopes that the screens will at the very least show as clear as Macbook air looks when i have them up, i just need more charts up and running at the same time instead of switching back and forth with tabs

It's unlikely that your monitors will be as clear as your M3 MacBook Air's screen.

Your MacBook Air has a 15", 2880x1864 pixel screen with a Retina-level pixel density of 224 pixels per inch.

MacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 2024) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

You said that one of your monitors was a JVC Ultrawide IPS Curved 34" 3440 x 1440p monitor. Given that resolution and size, that monitor would have a pixel density of about 110 pixels per inch. For comparison, a regular, non-Retina 27" 2560x1440 monitor has a pixel density of about 109 pixels per inch.

So you're getting 34% more "workspace" than you would with a 27" 2560x1440 monitor. But while the text should be readable, you cannot expect it to match the text on the MacBook Air's screen for quality.

You have not said how big the screen of your "4k ultrawide curved samsung monitor" is. I'm guessing that it would also be large enough that the pixel density is nowhere close to that of your M3 MacBook Air's screen.

The USB-C ports on your M3 MacBook Air support both DisplayPort Alt Mode and Thunderbolt video output.

DisplayPort Alt Mode is what most monitors, video adapters, and plain USB-C docks use. Including both DusplayPort adapters and HDMI adapters.

The 27” Apple 5K Studio Display has similar quality to your M3 MacBook Aur’s screen. Unfortunately, it costs $1600+. By the time you buy it, an Apple keyboard, and an Apple mouse, you’ve spent an amount that once would have gotten you a 27” 5K Retina iMac. Except that you still have to buy the computer!

There are now, or soon will be, 27” 5K (5120 x 2880 pixel) monitors from several other manufacturers: LG, Samsung, BenQ, Asus, and ViewSonic. Some may have street prices in the $800 to $950 range. But you can get 27” 4K monitors for as little as $300 - $350, which is why many people settle for 27” - 32” 4K monitors.