Can the M1 Pro MBP drive 3 4k monitors @60Hz?

[ntr]

I know from the spec sheet for the M1 Pro MBP that it supports 2 6K displays @60Hz, but what is not clear is whether it can drive 3 4k monitors @60Hz using 3 of the 4 USB C (thunderbolt 4) ports, i.e. one port per monitor. Has anyone tried this out? If not, is this technically possible for this setup to work?

 

[MayaUser]

M1 Pro - You can connect up to two external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports
M1 Max- You can connect up to four external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports.

 

[MayaUser]

From Apples official site

Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors (M1 Pro) or
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)

 

[JPack]

It's not a bandwidth limitation, but rather the number of connected displays.

M1 Pro display controller can only handle two external.

 

[ntr]

That's a bummer considering the price (and performance) of these things.

I was trying really hard not to go the M1 Max route as it's a bit overkill for my needs, but I guess I'll have to do just that to be able to support 3 dedicated 4k displays.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

I don't have one, but going by Apple's specs, you should be able to connect two up to 6K displays over thunderbolt and one 4K display over HDMI. At least that's how I understand it.

 

[ntr]

It's not a bandwidth limitation, but rather the number of connected displays.

M1 Pro display controller can only handle two external.

Does the display controller limitation of 2 ports inclusive of both thunderbolt and the HDMI ports, or can I work around by connecting 2 thunderbolt ports and 1 HDMI?

 

[JPack]

Does the display controller limitation of 2 ports inclusive of both thunderbolt and the HDMI ports, or can I work around by connecting 2 thunderbolt ports and 1 HDMI?

Yes, it is inclusive. All ports are still driven by the M1. No, there is no workaround unless you buy a DisplayLink adapter or dock.

Hello, 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook; goodbye, 3 external displays? [Setups]

Let's say you get one of Apple's new MacBook Pro laptops -- the 14-inch or the 16-inch with either the M1 Pro or the M1 Max chip. Do you still face the

www.cultofmac.com

 

[pshufd]

I hope that they change this for the M2 or M3. It would be nice to drive two external displays from the MBA and three from the MBPs without having to get the MAX. My 2014 MacBook Pro specs say that it will drive two external 4k and the internal but I can actually drive three external monitors, two via Thunderbolt and one via HDMI. That's Under-Promise and Over-Deliver and everyone loves when companies do that.