How is Displaylink?

[hajime]

Hi, for those who have been using it to connect multiple displays from M1 Pro/M1 Max MacBook Pro 16" 2021, how do you like it? Is there any lag when using 3D applications and games? Does it support HDR in extended mode? Is it compatible with macOS 13 Ventura? What will happen if the developer suddenly decides to charge it for money or even worse make it subscription based?

 

[barbu]

It works fine. If don’t have M1 but I’ve been using display link for years. It is typically bundled with usb docks and I doubt they will start charging users for it. I doubt it does HDR and I doubt it’s good for games. I use it for business so I think it’s great, but it is not “high performance”

 

[hajime]

It works fine. If don’t have M1 but I’ve been using display link for years. It is typically bundled with usb docks and I doubt they will start charging users for it. I doubt it does HDR and I doubt it’s good for games. I use it for business so I think it’s great, but it is not “high performance”

Thanks. So for basic office productivity it is fine but not 3D stuffs. Any better alternative for 3D applications?

 

[BanditoB]

Your only alternative is a directly connected monitor natively supported by the computer on the M-series Macs.

If you're using an M1 Pro, you can add two or three more displays natively depending on the displays' resolution. If you're on an M1 Max, you can use three or four displays, again, depending on resolution. If you need more displays then you need to go with DisplayLink. You could always use non-3d apps on the DisplayLink connected monitors and keep the games and other extremely graphics-intensive apps on the natively supported displays.

 

[pshufd]

I'm typing this on a 2k DisplayLink monitor off an M1 mini using one of the USBA ports and it works fine for office stuff and watching videos. I have been looking for a 4k version that can run at 60 hertz but that seems more difficult to find. I am not a gamer outside of chess. If you find a 4k 60 hertz model, please post it.

 

[SjoukeW]

I have tried display link on a MacBook Pro 2019 i9 and a 4K screen. It resulted in 5 fps in office work and web browsing. Completely unworkable. I bought a usbc-DisplayPort adapter to get rid of display link and never looked back.

 

[wyrdness]

I have tried display link on a MacBook Pro 2019 i9 and a 4K screen. It resulted in 5 fps in office work and web browsing. Completely unworkable. I bought a usbc-DisplayPort adapter to get rid of display link and never looked back.

I have no problems using DisplayLink on a 2019 i7 MacBook Pro. As others have said, it's great for office productivity tasks, but not suitable for anything that requires 3D acceleration.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

The big problem with the M1 architecture is the weird issue where with HDMI it won't authorize playing media (such as blu-ray, dvd, or even apple music). The workaround is to use Displayport, then it works fine with the Displayport software.

 

[pshufd]

The big problem with the M1 architecture is the weird issue where with HDMI it won't authorize playing media (such as blu-ray, dvd, or even apple music). The workaround is to use Displayport, then it works fine with the Displayport software.

Do you mean DisplayLink?

 

[JPack]

Content protected video does not play on Mac while DisplayLink screens are connected – DisplayLink Support

support.displaylink.com

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Do you mean DisplayLink?

Yes, sorry about that. Displayport with the DisplayLink Software. And that link about protected video is exactly what happened to me--but only with HDMI.

 

[BanditoB]

@pshufd - here's a DisplayLink-enabled docking station that supports 4K@60Hz. It's a bit pricey, but they have other ones that are less expensive too. You must not be looking too hard as there are many of these out there. 😃

https://www.startech.com/en-us/cards-adapters/dk30a2dh

 

[pshufd]

@pshufd - here's a DisplayLink-enabled docking station that supports 4K@60Hz. It's a bit pricey, but they have other ones that are less expensive too. You must not be looking too hard as there are many of these out there. 😃

https://www.startech.com/en-us/cards-adapters/dk30a2dh

I saw the Startech but there were comments that it doesn't do what I expect it to. I saw several advertised at 60 Hz but people in the comments said that they could only get 30 hz.

The problem with spending $150 on a device to get 4k support is that it starts to get to the level where I just consider buying another Mac mini that can output to two ports natively. Base used minis start at $450 in my area.

 

[M3Stang]

Its decent I use it on my M1 13" MBP for over a year. Its a USB to HDMI. The only thing is it does not work with Nightlight/Nightshift in Mac OS, or in Windows on one of my PC laptops. Kind of annoying as I am the type to leave it on most of the time because I like it.