desmeralda
Level 1 (8 points)
Notebooks

Q: can the graphics card on a mid 2012 macbook pro be upgraded to support two external monitors?

can the graphics card on a mid 2012 macbook pro be upgraded to support two external monitors?

desmeralda

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012)

Posted on Oct 21, 2016 10:06 PM

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desmeralda

Q: can the graphics card on a mid 2012 macbook pro be upgraded to support two external monitors?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by GhonaZ,

    GhonaZ GhonaZ Oct 21, 2016 10:23 PM in response to desmeralda
    Level 2 (448 points)
    Windows Software
    Oct 21, 2016 10:23 PM in response to desmeralda

    The graphics card can not be upgraded unfortunately, since it's soldered onto the motherboard. You could buy a newer macbook if you really need the 2 monitors + macbook screen.

    May I ask what tasks requires 3 screens out of curiosity?

  • by desmeralda,

    desmeralda desmeralda Oct 21, 2016 10:31 PM in response to GhonaZ
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Oct 21, 2016 10:31 PM in response to GhonaZ

    this is sad......my only option is? a newer MAC, or use the 13 laptop display and 27 inch monitors together?  How can I use them together to best usability?  I use the adobe creative suite of LR and Photoshop, so i mostly use two monitors.  Photoshop cannot be used in "split screen" mode.

    Any recommendation, or solution would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,


    Desmeralda

  • by GhonaZ,Helpful

    GhonaZ GhonaZ Oct 22, 2016 9:34 AM in response to desmeralda
    Level 2 (448 points)
    Windows Software
    Oct 22, 2016 9:34 AM in response to desmeralda

    So you use it for creative work good to know.

    I have no experience with this myself. I can only suggest that you use your external monitor as your big screen to do the most detailed work on and use you macbook screen as a secondary as you suggested yourself already.

     

    Cheers,

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 22, 2016 1:39 AM in response to desmeralda
    Level 6 (14,582 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 22, 2016 1:39 AM in response to desmeralda

    Depending on which Mid 2012 MacBook Pro you have, the ability to use

    additional displays could vary; the specs for the non-Retina model differ.

     

    Given I see your specs indicate a 13-inch display, that narrows details a lot.

     

    Graphics Card    Intel HD Graphics 4000

    Graphics Memory    Up to 768 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory

    Display Connection    Thunderbolt digital video output

    Display Support    Support for up to two Thunderbolt displays

    Display Modes    Dual display extended, video mirroring, and AirPlay Mirroring

    External Resolution    Up to 2560 by 1600 pixels

     

    If you could locate ThunderBolt displays (or see if an adapter may work)

    given the ThunderBolt display can be chained to run two from one port

    this is an idea. Except for the fact they were discontinued, and are costly

    even though you may find them for about $600 to $900 each, used.

     

    Not sure if there is any other way to use dual external displays on a non-retina

    Mid 2012 13-inch MacBook Pro; while other connections may exist, they only

    appear to allow one supported display. ~ And no USB video.

     

    Other 'non-ThunderBolt displays' are not likely to daisy-chain the limited video.

    And you may be unwillingly in the market for some other product if you need two.

     

    Good luck & happy trails!

  • by naturalef,

    naturalef naturalef Oct 22, 2016 4:42 AM in response to desmeralda
    Level 1 (16 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 22, 2016 4:42 AM in response to desmeralda

    Unfortunately no, it is integrated on the logic board.

     

    Though it is possible to add an external graphics card to your macbook.

    Here's one possible solution you can take a look at, (they claim it's compatible with your macbook pro.)

    https://bizon-tech.com/us/faq-egpu/#egpu26

  • by desmeralda,

    desmeralda desmeralda Oct 22, 2016 9:42 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Oct 22, 2016 9:42 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Thank you for your suggestions.  Alas, I have tried daisy-chaining which did not work; and according to the specs, an only use one external monitor.

    I hate the thought of purchasing a newer Mac since this one has a new 1TB hard drive  (replaced about six months ago.

    Guess I will continue with using the external display for the photoshop work, and the laptop for secondary stuff.

     

    Thanks

    desmeralda