3x Monitors on an M1 Pro MBP - Why can't I get a Dock MFR to give me a straight answer?

[mrjohnnyglass]

I am getting so frustrated with Caldigit, Plugable, Dell, Belkin, and can't seem to get the question answered I need from anyone, so I'm turning here.

2x 1080p monitors in portrait mode.
1x 1440p monitor in landscape (standard) mode.

My 14" MBP M1 Pro with the lid/main screen open (4 screens total).

I need a dock to run 2 rotated screens (the 1080p ones), along with a 1440p screen at 60hz. I'll need two other USB 3 ports, and that's it. I don't even mind running separate power to my laptop.

Which dock should I purchase. Dell 6000? Something else? Help me people!

 

[Gnattu]

You can only connect to 2 monitors from one Thunderbolt port, so for 3 external monitors you will need at least 2 Thunderbolt ports unless you use some technology like DisplayLink, and therefore you will need a very special dock if you have to use only one dock to connect all three.

 

[JPack]

Get Dell D6000.

M1 Pro only supports two external displays It doesn’t matter what the resolution is.

 

[lclev]

I use the OWC Thunderbolt Hub and currently have 3 monitors attached. 2-4K 27" and 1-1080p 27" all at 60Hz.

Just FYI - you can go up to 4 externals. https://9to5mac.com/2021/10/18/new-...ook-pro-support-up-to-four-external-displays/

I have a 14" MBP M1 Max for reference.

 

[joevt]

You can only connect to 2 monitors from one Thunderbolt port, so for 3 external monitors you will need at least 2 Thunderbolt ports unless you use some technology like DisplayLink, and therefore you will need a very special dock if you have to use only one dock to connect all three.

Right. 2 monitors per Thunderbolt port of the Mac. For DisplayLink you don't need a special dock like the Dell 6000 you can just get a USB to DisplayLink Adapter and connect it to a USB-A or USB-C port of a Thunderbolt hub or dock.
https://www.synaptics.com/products/...field_displaylink_category_value=usb_adapters

I use the OWC Thunderbolt Hub and currently have 3 monitors attached. 2-4K 27" and 1-1080p 27" all at 60Hz.

You mean two monitors connected to the OWC Thunderbolt Hub and one monitor connected to something else? Or are you using a DisplayLink Adapter connected to the OWC Thunderbolt Hub?

Just FYI - you can go up to 4 externals. https://9to5mac.com/2021/10/18/new-...ook-pro-support-up-to-four-external-displays/

I have a 14" MBP M1 Max for reference.

4 external for the M1 Max but only 2 external for the M1 Pro.

 

[mrjohnnyglass]

Right. 2 monitors per Thunderbolt port of the Mac. For DisplayLink you don't need a special dock like the Dell 6000 you can just get a USB to DisplayLink Adapter and connect it to a USB-A or USB-C port of a Thunderbolt hub or dock.
https://www.synaptics.com/products/...field_displaylink_category_value=usb_adapters



You mean two monitors connected to the OWC Thunderbolt Hub and one monitor connected to something else? Or are you using a DisplayLink Adapter connected to the OWC Thunderbolt Hub?


4 external for the M1 Max but only 2 external for the M1 Pro.

Joe, so with my M1 Pro, and my current Plugable dock which gets me two external monitors.

Would I just need a 2nd USB-C to Displayport adapter (like this?) and then run a DisplayPort to HDMI cable to my other 1080p monitor?

 

[joevt]

Joe, so with my M1 Pro, and my current Plugable dock which gets me two external monitors.

Would I just need a 2nd USB-C to Displayport adapter (like this?) and then run a DisplayPort to HDMI cable to my other 1080p monitor?

You didn't say which Plugable dock you have. If it is running two displays already (both are seen as connected to the GPU of the M1 Pro) then a third external display must be connected with a DisplayLink adapter since the M1 Pro only supports two external displays. Some Plugable docks have DisplayLink. DisplayLink is not usable without installing DisplayLink drivers. If you didn't install DisplayLink drivers, then the displays must be DisplayPort.

The adapter you linked appears to be a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter which uses USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode. I wouldn't get that one since it does not claim HBR3 link rate compatibility (in case you want to connect a DisplayPort 1.4 display that supports the higher link rate for higher refresh rates).

DisplayLink is not the same as DisplayPort Alt Mode. DisplayLink uses USB signals only for the source so it could use a USB type A connector instead of a USB-C connector.

 

[mrjohnnyglass]

You didn't say which Plugable dock you have. If it is running two displays already (both are seen as connected to the GPU of the M1 Pro) then a third external display must be connected with a DisplayLink adapter since the M1 Pro only supports two external displays. Some Plugable docks have DisplayLink. DisplayLink is not usable without installing DisplayLink drivers. If you didn't install DisplayLink drivers, then the displays must be DisplayPort.

The adapter you linked appears to be a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter which uses USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode. I wouldn't get that one since it does not claim HBR3 link rate compatibility (in case you want to connect a DisplayPort 1.4 display that supports the higher link rate for higher refresh rates).

DisplayLink is not the same as DisplayPort Alt Mode. DisplayLink uses USB signals only for the source so it could use a USB type A connector instead of a USB-C connector.

This is the dock I have currently, and 1x of my 1080p and my 1440p monitors. are plugged into it: https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Thu...r/dp/B08HR3T837/ref=psdc_778660_t1_B07JMH6BSY

All I need is to get 1 more 1080p monitor working off my machine.

 

[joevt]

This is the dock I have currently, and 1x of my 1080p and my 1440p monitors. are plugged into it: https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Thu...r/dp/B08HR3T837/ref=psdc_778660_t1_B07JMH6BSY

All I need is to get 1 more 1080p monitor working off my machine.

For the third display, connect a DisplayLink Adapter to one of the USB type A ports of the Plugable TBT3-UDZ.