Connecting 2 monitors to MBP with anker apex TB4

[Akapplefan]

I am trying to connect my 2 dell 27inch displays to my anker apex thunderbolt 4 dock and then from the dock to my MBP.

I have both monitor connected from usbc to hdmi (usbc in the monitor and hdmi in the dock). Both are connected the same way.

When I power up my MacBook Pro it won’t detect the displays. What am I doing wrong?

 

[coolguy4747]

What model MBP are you using?

Although I'm not sure it matters - I'm not too well-versed in the technical details, but I'm not sure that USB-C to HDMI cables are bi-directional that way. I think they only work from a USB-C output to an HDMI input.

Do the monitors have HDMI inputs so you can use plain HDMI cables? Do you have a USB-C cable to connect directly from the MBP to one of the monitors to test it that way?

 

[Akapplefan]

What model MBP are you using?

Although I'm not sure it matters - I'm not too well-versed in the technical details, but I'm not sure that USB-C to HDMI cables are bi-directional that way. I think they only work from a USB-C output to an HDMI input.

Do the monitors have HDMI inputs so you can use plain HDMI cables? Do you have a USB-C cable to connect directly from the MBP to one of the monitors to test it that way?

using a new mb pro 14".
funny enough was able to get this to work by connecting an HDMI to HDMI cable. so the usb c to hdmi cable does not work.

 

[velocityg4]

USB C uses DisplayPort. You can’t go HDMI to DisplayPort with out a special adapter. Only DisplayPort to HDMI with a simple adapter cable. Higher resolutions may need DisplayPort to active HDMI .

You’ll need to use an HDMI or DVI input on the monitors. If using HDMI outputs. Depending on the resolution or refresh rate. You’ll need a HDMI to dual link DVI cable. for high res or high refresh rate monitors.

 

[Akapplefan]

Ok so now I have the two displays working but both are showing mirror images of the other...

Display #1: connected HDMI from monitor and HDMI from Anker dock
Display #2: connected HDMI from monitor and HDMI from Anker dock

Anker dock: connected to MBP via thunderbolt to thunderbolt.

do I have this setup wrong? how do I get the two displays to NOT mirror each other.

thanks in advance.

 

[coolguy4747]

In System Preferences > Displays > Display Settings, under "Use As" are you able to change each one to say either "Main display" or "Extended display"? If so, then that should do it. If it's not giving you the option, I'm not sure what's going on.

 

[DJLC]

When I was researching to purchase my TB4 dock, I noticed that all of Anker's docks state an incompatibility with dual displays on M1 Macs. They can do a single display with M1, but multiple displays just mirror. It wasn't clear if this statement was only for the base M1 chip or also for the M1 Pro and M1 Max.

Not sure if this is the case for you, but that's why I decided not to buy the Anker dock for my 14" MacBook Pro. I went with the OWC TB4 dock and OWC TB3 Dual Displayport adapter, which both seem to work well.

 

[Akapplefan]

Got this to work.
Solution was to plug one display into the HDMI port and the other display to the USB C port. Works flawlessly now.

Obviously when the MBP is connected to the dock it charges it (so essentially the MBP is always at 100% battery). Any issues with this that will potentially damage the MBP battery by doing so?

Thanks in advance.

 

[macphoto861]

Obviously when the MBP is connected to the dock it charges it (so essentially the MBP is always at 100% battery). Any issues with this that will potentially damage the MBP battery by doing so?

Look up an app called Al Dente. It lets you specify a maximum charge. So, for example, I have mine set to 60%, and it stays at that percentage even when plugged in 24/7.

 

[TheAnvil]

Got this to work.
Solution was to plug one display into the HDMI port and the other display to the USB C port. Works flawlessly now.

Just to clarify for anyone else who might be in the same boat.

You didn't plug into the UCB-C port.

MacOS doesn't support MST. Which means it will only mirror displays over a multiple (DP or HDMI) via single cable from a Mac.

What is happening here, is that there is a separate TB downstream channel which you've ended up using.

On the surface this may appear similar, but it is very different.

While you don't have to understand this, this is something to keep in mind while getting a dock if you want multiple displays.

 

[Inutopia]

Look up an app called Al Dente. It lets you specify a maximum charge. So, for example, I have mine set to 60%, and it stays at that percentage even when plugged in 24/7.

I've been using this, but any time the computer is off it charges it up to 100% anyway, super annoying! Any way around this?

 

[macphoto861]

I've been using this, but any time the computer is off it charges it up to 100% anyway, super annoying! Any way around this?

Ah, I didn't know that, as mine stays on 24/7.

 

[fredrain]

using a new mb pro 14".
funny enough was able to get this to work by connecting an HDMI to HDMI cable. so the usb c to hdmi cable does not work.

hdmi to usb c absolutely does work, make no mistake. You may have one bad cable. Glad to hear you got all working