Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

nigelthepelican

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 12, 2021
3
0
Ok so I currently run a mid 2014 MB pro which is mainly desk bound and hooked up to 3 external monitors (with the lid of the laptop and the laptop display closed). The 3 external screens are connected as follows 2 by 2 Thunderbolt vga adapters and the 3rd via a vga to display link adapter into the standard usb socket on the mac. Viola - 3 screens.

Im now looking at the i5 13 inch macbook with 4 usb C ports and need to know if I can run 3 external displays from 3 of the 4 usb C ports on the MBook (Im assuming that the remaining 4th usb c would be needed for power). I don't need 1080p or super high res but I do need 3 old style external dell monitors for my work - and I really don't want to go for the 16inch as its too big for when I do need to travel. Can it be done ? All help appreciated.
 

nigelthepelican

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 12, 2021
3
0
Yes it can.

In M1 powered MacBook Pro you will need a DisplayLink hub for outputting 3 displays.

Bit if you choose any of the Intel powered MacBooks Pro Apple still offers, you can do that easily.
Thanks - appreciate the feedback - so do i just need to buy 3 x standard vga to usb c connectors ? or do i need a displaylink connector for 1 or more of them like the other guy in the thread said ? And if i went for the M1 chip any idea which displaylink hub is compatible - there look to be several different types and Im guaranteed to buy the wrong one ....Thanks in advance
 

Amethyst1

macrumors G3
Oct 28, 2015
9,822
12,240
So you mean yes ? I Appreciate the reply but its a bit light on detail !
Sorry for the brevity. The 13" 2020 Intel MBP can only run two external screens via its built-in graphics (using USB-C to VGA adapters in your case). So you'd have to resort to using a DisplayLink adapter for the third external screen.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.