2 External displays (5k and 4k) with lid closed (MacBook Pro 2020) ?

[chacrat]

Hi,

I am wondering if it is possible to connect my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020) to :
a 5K monitor (e.g. LG Ultrafine) and a 4k monitor (Dell 4K 24 inch) with the lid closed.

Apple gives information (https://support.apple.com/kb/SP818?viewlocale=en_US):
"
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:

• One external 5K display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors, or
• Up to two external 4K displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors

"

Thanks

 

[rm5]

Unfortunately, you can't do this—I've tried. It's so incredibly stupid, right?

You can only connect one monitor, whether the MacBook is in Closed-Display Mode or not. The solution would be to get a hub/dock that supports DisplayLink, but those are very expensive (most of them are >$150), and, depending on your budget, you might not be able to afford one.

 

[chacrat]

Thanks BUT the MacBook Pro 2020 can connect two monitors.

 

[chrfr]

Thanks BUT the MacBook Pro 2020 can connect two monitors.

No, the M1 and M2 Macs can use a total of two displays, but this always counts the internal display as one.
Edit: if you have an Intel MacBook Pro from 2020, it can only use a single 5k display, or a maximum of 2 4k displays and no other displays; again this does not matter if the lid is closed or not.

 

[rm5]

I think you're referring to the wrong model. This is what I see under the 2020 M1 MacBook Pro, or do you have an Intel model? It would be very helpful if you could post the About This Mac page or the model ID of your MBP.

 

[chacrat]

Well I gave this link in the original post (which points to an intel. I never have mentioned a M1 or M2):

MacBook Pro (13 pouces, 2020, deux ports Thunderbolt 3) - Caractéristiques techniques - Assistance Apple (FR)

support.apple.com

This is for a MacBook Pro 2020 (NOT M1) that can indeed support two external displays as quoted in the original post.

 

[chrfr]

Well I gave this link in the original post (which points to an intel. I never have mentioned a M1 or M2):

MacBook Pro (13 pouces, 2020, deux ports Thunderbolt 3) - Caractéristiques techniques - Assistance Apple (FR)

support.apple.com

This is for a MacBook Pro 2020 (NOT M1) that can indeed support two external displays.

Yes, but only 1 5k display:
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:

• One external 5K display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors, or
• Up to two external 4K displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors

 

[diggy33]

From the specs:

Video Support​

Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:

• One external 5K display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors, or
• Up to two external 4K displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors

I'm not saying its not possible, but you might not be able to run that 5k monitor at that resolution.

 

[chacrat]

Thanks. That is why I am posting in the this forum I thought maybe people already have tried.
And if this is not possible, which dock should I buy for this setup : 5k + 4k ?

 

[chacrat]

I guess this :

StarTech.com USB 3.0 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter, 4K 60Hz, USB to Dual DP Display Adapter/Converter for Mac/Windows

Now you can connect two 4K HDTVs (large format display), monitors or projectors to your Windows or Mac computer, even if your laptop or desktop video card doesn’t natively support 4K output. The USB 3.0 (male) to dual DisplayPort (female) monitor adapter lets you extend or mirror your primary dis...

www.amazon.ca

should work.

 

[brucewayne]

Hi,

I am wondering if it is possible to connect my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020) to :
a 5K monitor (e.g. LG Ultrafine) and a 4k monitor (Dell 4K 24 inch) with the lid closed.

Apple gives information (https://support.apple.com/kb/SP818?viewlocale=en_US):
"
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:

• One external 5K display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors, or
• Up to two external 4K displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors

"

Thanks

The answer is in your question - it isn't supported natively - at least not with one monitor at 5k

You can do a display link adapter on the secondary monitor if you need that first monitor at 5k, just be aware that display link isn't using your gpu. In my experience it is fine for text (light web surfing and email for instance) but once you get into video or gaming the experience on that second monitor can get choppy.

 

[nealibob]

Don't even consider DisplayLink at these resolutions unless you don't mind a terrible experience.

I would also think twice about buying the LG. I went all in on UltraFine last year and have regrets, even though it's the best match for my needs. The monitors generally only work well with Macs (Windows is supported, but not as well). They have zero physical controls, including a lack of a power button (!), so if anything goes wrong at all, they're basically worthless. This may or may not matter in your case, but the sad reality is there aren't any good monitor choices at all if you want an external display that matches a MacBook Pro's built in display's quality and value. The UltraFine and the Studio Display are good, but somewhat overpriced and loaded with ridiculous compromises. YMMV and good luck!