3 external monitors on a Macbook Pro 13-inch?

[danielrosehill]

Hi folks,

I'm starting a job soon that will be partially work from home. The company issues its own hardware. I will be provided with a MacBook Pro 13 inch. Specifically, the version with 2 Thunderbolts (model identifier: MacBook Pro 15,4).

My home office has a nice three display setup that I've become very accustomed to. If possible, I would either like to figure out a way to use my displays with this (all are on their own HDMI channel). Alternatively, I could find a MacBook that has an easier time working with this many external displays. Or, if there are no other options, use 2 screens.

So my questions are two-fold:

1) Are there any adapters / hubs etc that will allow me to use 3 external displays with this particular model?
2) If no, are there any other MacBooks that would be a better fit? I'm a long term Linux user so MacOS is a little out of my wheelhouse.

Thank you!

 

[joevt]

That MacBook Pro supports two external displays. I don't think it will support three if you work in clamshell mode - It only has two Thunderbolt ports so it probably only has one Thunderbolt bus/controller and Thunderbolt controllers only have two DisplayPort inputs from the GPU.

To add a 3rd external display, you have four options:
1) A different MacBook Pro
2) An eGPU ( https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208544 and https://egpu.io/best-egpu-buyers-guide/ )
3) DisplayLink adapter
4) A video splitter (takes 4K input and outputs to smaller displays as if they were one display)

#1 or #2 are the best options.

There's a MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports). The GPU is Intel graphics which only supports 3 displays (DisplayPort 1.2) and the internal display counts as one of them but it might work while running in clamshell mode? I'm not sure.
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-external-monitors-on-13-macbook-pro.2214779/
https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/hr2s13
2020 MacBook Pro 13 Inch has newer Intel graphics supporting DisplayPort 1.4 and DSC to allow connecting 6K display. It's still limited to 3 displays total (2 external)

You need a MacBook Pro with AMD graphics and four Thunderbolt ports to support 3 external displays without clamshell.
Or a new MacBook Pro with M1 Max CPUs.

 

[Bebel]

According to the specs:

“In addition to simultaneous support of the internal display, this model supports a single external display up to 5120x2880 at 60Hz at over a billion color, up to two displays up to 4096x2304 at 60Hz at millions of colors, or up to two displays up to 3840x2160 at 60Hz at over a billion colors via Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C).”

Source: Everymac

If you want to support 3 monitors, any of the new 14” or 16” MacBook Pros with M1 Max chip can handle that.

”Up to three external displays with up to 6K resolution and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors (M1 Max)“

Source: Apple

 

[danielrosehill]

@joevt @Bebel - thank you both! I'll look through all those options. If a different model isn't an option, the eGPU approach sounds like the best one to me.

 

[throAU]

Be aware, I do not believe that the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro 13" supports eGPU.

Only intel models support it if I am not mistaken.

Definitely check before going down that route. It may be a lot of money spent for something that does not work with your new machine.


edit:
never mind, didn't pick up it was an intel model. carry on!

 

[jackiecanev2]

Could try a displaylink dock - it requires a driver install, but uses a virtual graphics card to great effect without needing a full-on eGPU.

There are a few vendors that use the tech. Should be listed on displaylink’s website. Pay attention to the specs to find a dock that meets your HW setup (eg 30/60hx refresh, HDMI, 4k, number of monitors, etc).

I know you’re in an intel Mac, but also works well for M1. Win win.

 

[danielrosehill]

That MacBook Pro supports two external displays.

Can I ask one more question.
If I wanted to simply use two external displays .. what would be the easiest way to do that with this variant?

 

[throAU]

Can I ask one more question.
If I wanted to simply use two external displays .. what would be the easiest way to do that with this variant?

USB-C to DisplayPort adapters or monitors with USB-C input.

 

[joevt]

Can I ask one more question.
If I wanted to simply use two external displays .. what would be the easiest way to do that with this variant?

You only have two Thunderbolt ports. If you connect two displays, then you have no more Thunderbolt ports. Your displays might be USB-C - in that case they may have USB 3.0 ports to use. But if you want faster ports (USB 3.1 gen 2 or Thunderbolt) then you'll want to connect the displays to a Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 dock which will leave you with a free Thunderbolt port.

If you're using macOS Big Sur or Monterey, then a Thunderbolt 4 hub or dock would be best (like the CalDigit Element Hub). If you're displays are not Thunderbolt or USB, then you'll need a couple USB-C to DisplayPort adapters (or HDMI if they don't have DisplayPort). A Thunderbolt 4 hub has three downstream Thunderbolt ports - two can be used for displays. The third can be used for Thunderbolt or USB devices.

 

[throAU]

The more I think about this, the more an eGPU box makes sense.

They usually provide a GPU with multiple display outputs, additional USB ports, network port, charging and possibly other ports. A typical card used in an eGPU will drive 3 monitors - and you'll still have a USB-C left over on your Mac.

Otherwise you're going to be tying up your limited USB type C ports with display dongles.

Not cheap though unfortunately. And no use with a future Apple Silicon based machine.