macbook air dual monitors

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Level 1

96 points

macbook air dual monitors

I'm thinking of getting a new 13" MBA for work, but at work, I pretty much require 2 monitors, and probalby won't be able to convince my employer to pop for one giant monitor, so how can I put two external monitors on a SandyBridge MBA? I've read about using TB port for one monitor and a USB-DVI adapter for the 2nd, but I've also read that multiple monitors can be chained on the TB port, but from what I have seen that requires apple cinema displays (not an option). Is there a way to chain the standard DVI monitors that my employer supplies?

thanks,

Posted on Jan 5, 2012 8:22 PM

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Answer 1

K T

Level 7

23,865 points

Jan 5, 2012 8:27 PM in response to Tom Sullivan

You could cable and try to chain if all you want is the same image on both.

The 'USB as another' solution is a good option...use it 🙂

TB will allow chaining, BTW, but thats just FYI.

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Answer 2

May 23, 2012 1:49 PM in response to Tom Sullivan

The best way would be to use the Vid-2X from SAPPHIRE, it's plug and play and will split or expand your MBA across two screens: http://www.sapphiretech.com/vid2x/

Cheers!

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Answer 3

May 23, 2012 3:11 PM in response to Tom Sullivan

The reduced feature TB port on the Air will only support one external monitor. The MacBook Pro's will support two.

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Answer 4

1jo1

Level 1

10 points

Aug 14, 2013 1:48 PM in response to Tom Sullivan

FWIW, I am seeing this same question asked in a myriad of questions on this board:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4929226?searchText=two%20monitors,%20one% 20macbook%20air#21649886

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3631186?answerId=18464461022#18464461022&searchText=two%20monitors,%20one% 20macbook%20air#18464461

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4929226?searchText=Two%20monitors,%20one% 20macbook%20air#21649886

And the short version I have found in my searching is that there are third party solutions which have micro processors in them to help drive the video (the video card on the air isn't strong enough) to both monitors...but word on the street says that Apple is quietly pointing out that these are overdriving the boards and will eventually burn them out which means they will need to be replaced at some point.

So the basic answer to the question appears to be: No, you cannot attach two monitors to the MacBook Air without risk.

Personally, I hope Apple is working on a better solution. It's a fabulous machine otherwise.

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