I regret getting a Mac

[bgillander]

No my argument was the OP came in here guns blazing blaming Apple when it clearly states only one external monitor is supported. Instead of targeting their issues towards the makers of DisplayLink. That the user did not understand that Apple only supports one display OFFICIALLY and going outside those specs and official supported means definitely leads to these issues. I would not be surprised if it fails to work tomorrow since it is NOT supported.

Feel free to use these unsupported means, but don't be surprised when issues occurs. This is like blaming Apple for issues with your Hackintosh or Monterey issues on your old unsupported mac. Feel free to do those things, but don't blame Apple as it is not supported. You are on your own.

Actually, as he stated, he posted a request for help that was ignored and decided a click bait topic might work better to get a response. It is truly sad exactly how correct he was on that. Yeah, it might have been a bit caustic, but it was certainly effective. I didn’t notice the first request or I would have tried to help, but unfortunately click bait posts get promoted much better.

As for the argument DisplayLink is unsupported, they make driver software for Mac OS and it isn’t like a jailbreak is required to install it. This is legitimate software, not some hack he did it home, and yes, it is a bit of a kludge, but the main complaint was that the USB ports weren’t working, it wasn’t even the DisplayLink. But since it was USB-A ports, I guess those weren’t supported either? As a legitimate Mac user using a USB dock that should be universal for at least the USB portion (and with DisplayLink with actual Monterey drivers), this is absolutely nothing like a Hackintosh user complaining.

 

[Ethosik]

For the millionth time... I am not saying it is or is not Apple's fault. (Though I am, as a side point, trying to get people like you to understand that it could be Apple's fault, actually - you aren't paying much attention if you think Apple always provides smooth landings to third party developers affected by Apple's API changes, or if you believe Apple ships major OS releases with zero bugs.)

I am mostly just saying that it's really dumb to scream at the top of your lungs trying your damndest to defend mothership Apple against horrible people who dare to install and use hardware and software which extends the base capabilities of a Macintosh. That's what a Mac is supposed to allow you to do! You've tried to equate using DisplayLink with Hackintosh, which is absurd.

Did you read what I said at all? If the same thing happens on a Windows PC, I would defend the hate/blame that the person has towards Microsoft as it is NOT THEIR PRODUCT. Its not "mothership apple" attitude, its simple directing your frustrations where appropriate.

There is a lot of malware on Windows, so you think Microsoft supports that stuff? Microsoft and Apple only provide the tools and APIs to create the development work. But they do not inherently support and maintain ANY AND ALL developers.

 

[Ethosik]

As for the argument DisplayLink is unsupported, they make driver software for Mac OS and it isn’t like a jailbreak is required to install it.

The argument is that more than one display on Air, and more than 2 on mini are not OFFICIALLY supported by Apple. That is the unofficial part. Apple clearly states Air supports one external display and 2 for the mini. Therefore, any more than that is unsupported by Apple directly and macOS is not to be blamed here. So using some third party tool is using unsupported means of adding more displays than officially supported. Which is also why we boycotted these systems several years ago with standard Windows PCs and just bought the systems that supported NATIVELY however many displays we want because it just rarely works well. And basing an entire business on such a model was not good to begin with. It produced way too many helpdesk tickets.

 

[AZhappyjack]

As for the argument DisplayLink is unsupported, they make driver software for Mac OS and it isn’t like a jailbreak is required to install it. This is legitimate software, not some hack he did it home, and yes, it is a bit of a kludge, but the main complaint was that the USB ports weren’t working, it wasn’t even the DisplayLink. But since it was USB-A ports, I guess those weren’t supported either? As a legitimate Mac user using a USB dock that should be universal for at least the USB portion (and with DisplayLink with actual Monterey drivers), this is absolutely nothing like a Hackintosh user complaining.

First off, there is NO "jailbreak" (or equivalent) for macOS. Load any software you can get loaded...

As for "a legitimate Mac user using a USB dock..." how would one separate "universal for at least the USB portion" from the issues with DisplayLink drivers for Monterey? As a user, you can do anything you want with or to your Mac. Trying to extend it beyond what Apple has stated as functional limits is fine, so long as you don't blame Apple with it all goes south - which is exactly what the OP was doing.

 

[cmaier]

I have been using Windows for years, not living through the years of the butterfly keyboard. Got my Dell PC in early 2015, a very useful All In One.
My iMac still works, but not well. I would pitch it to the curb, but just as soon as I do, I’ll find a use for it. It has audio I/O, which Apple has since abandoned.
It’s okay to bash MS, but I guess there’s no Apple bashing on a Mac site.
I suppose the truth makes fans uncomfortable.
I’ll bet there are “I’ve never owned an Apple device” people who come here to learn.

Again, I don’t understand the idea, proferred by the original poster and others, that “i am going to bash apple now because apple doesn’t get enough bashing or because windows gets bashed.”

Apple gets plenty of bashing on here - that’s pretty much most of the posts. But do it because you have a complaint and you want apple to improve, not because “it’s apple’s turn to get bashed.”

 

[Ethosik]

Again, I don’t understand the idea, proferred by the original poster and others, that “i am going to bash apple now because apple doesn’t get enough bashing or because windows gets bashed.”

Apple gets plenty of bashing on here - that’s pretty much most of the posts. But do it because you have a complaint and you want apple to improve, not because “it’s apple’s turn to get bashed.”

Yep agreed. 2013 trash can Mac Pro? Horrible. Butterfly keyboard? Horrible. Ping or whatever it was? Horrible. Apple has made some MASSIVE mistakes, to the point where they as legally as possibly came out and said Sorry for the Mac Pro situation.

 

[bgillander]

I have been using Windows for years, not living through the years of the butterfly keyboard. Got my Dell PC in early 2015, a very useful All In One.
My iMac still works, but not well. I would pitch it to the curb, but just as soon as I do, I’ll find a use for it. It has audio I/O, which Apple has since abandoned.
It’s okay to bash MS, but I guess there’s no Apple bashing on a Mac site.
I suppose the truth makes fans uncomfortable.
I’ll bet there are “I’ve never owned an Apple device” people who come here to learn.

Geez, there is lots of Apple bashing here, so much that I don’t know how you could not see it. Honestly, it seems so much like a 50/50 split here that it feels political, and I wonder why those bashing come here and why they would keep buying Apple products unless they just loved to bash them so much. Maybe they are just masochists, as I must be for returning. I enjoy the articles here and like trying to occasionally help people with issues on the forums, but it is depressing to find out just how polarized everyone seems to be. I read this stuff to get away from current affairs. Good lord, I don’t get why people get a religious fervour about “stuff”. These are just brands of things. If you enjoy the things individually, then great, but why preach about or against them as a whole? Apple makes some great things, but that doesn’t mean that everything they make is great. That is an unreasonable expectation, but hardly anyone believes in grey anymore.

 

[bgillander]

First off, there is NO "jailbreak" (or equivalent) for macOS. Load any software you can get loaded...

As for "a legitimate Mac user using a USB dock..." how would one separate "universal for at least the USB portion" from the issues with DisplayLink drivers for Monterey? As a user, you can do anything you want with or to your Mac. Trying to extend it beyond what Apple has stated as functional limits is fine, so long as you don't blame Apple with it all goes south - which is exactly what the OP was doing.

Yeah, that was exactly my point. To say this was “unsupported” is wrong, so I’m happy to see Ethosik agreed with you. This is legit Monterey driver software, not some home hack.

However you left out the part where I said that he had originally posted a help request that was ignored, and reposted blaming Apple so someone would acknowledge the post. And he did try other USB hubs that also did not work, so that did point to some issues with his USB, but yes, a USB hub with bridged subdevices should still work as a hub without drivers.

It is also strange that the DisplayLink appeared to actually be working when everyone obsessed over it being the issue, and people are still obsessing over it even when it works. It isn’t software that I would want to run, but I’m not the software police.

I originally read the thread to see what today’s incessant complaining about Apple was, and yes, there was a lot of ignored advice and too much continued blaming of Apple, but after reading the whole thread I did have sympathy for his issue and the fact he admitted he reposted it as more incendiary to at least get noticed, which is why I tried to suggest a couple of steps for upgrading with/without external hardware.

This thread is a sad example of exactly what it takes to get lots of hits in this world and the way people don’t react perfectly when other people don’t react perfectly.

 

[Ethosik]

Yeah, that was exactly my point. To say this was “unsupported” is wrong, so I’m happy to see Ethosik agreed with you. This is legit Monterey driver software, not some home hack.

However you left out the part where I said that he had originally posted a help request that was ignored, and reposted blaming Apple so someone would acknowledge the post. And he did try other USB hubs that also did not work, so that did point to some issues with his USB, but yes, a USB hub with bridged subdevices should still work as a hub without drivers.

It is also strange that the DisplayLink appeared to actually be working when everyone obsessed over it being the issue, and people are still obsessing over it even when it works. It isn’t software that I would want to run, but I’m not the software police.

I originally read the thread to see what today’s incessant complaining about Apple was, and yes, there was a lot of ignored advice and too much continued blaming of Apple, but after reading the whole thread I did have sympathy for his issue and the fact he admitted he reposted it as more incendiary to at least get noticed, which is why I tried to suggest a couple of steps for upgrading with/without external hardware.

This thread is a sad example of exactly what it takes to get lots of hits in this world and the way people don’t react perfectly when other people don’t react perfectly.

Unsupported is not the wrong word here. Even on Windows PCs, if a laptop only supports one display, using DisplayLink by definition is unsupported by the laptop manufacturer. Its supported by someone else, but NOT the laptop manufacturer. Which is precisely why we banned them at our work years ago as our Dell rep said we needed to contact DisplayLink about our issue and NOT Dell.

It really is frustrating on this site digging so deep in the technicalities and things. You know clearly what I meant. Apple's page says only one external display is supported. Using three is by definition unsupported. Doesn't matter if someone else makes their own drivers, it is by definition not supported by Apple.

 

[Analog Kid]

I regret reading this thread.

 

[bgillander]

Unsupported is not the wrong word here. Even on Windows PCs, if a laptop only supports one display, using DisplayLink by definition is unsupported by the laptop manufacturer. Its supported by someone else, but NOT the laptop manufacturer. Which is precisely why we banned them at our work years ago as our Dell rep said we needed to contact DisplayLink about our issue and NOT Dell.

It really is frustrating on this site digging so deep in the technicalities and things. You know clearly what I meant. Apple's page says only one external display is supported. Using three is by definition unsupported. Doesn't matter if someone else makes their own drivers, it is by definition not supported by Apple.

“Apple will not provide you with technical support” would be a correct statement, which I’m thinking is what you mean? If so, I did not clearly know what you meant. Unsupported does have a different meaning, as it implies the software drivers do not exist.

As I said, I wouldn’t want to use it, but there are Monterey drivers available and I believe they are even signed. And it is amazing that they now work on the OP’s Mac, as they have been beaten to death here.

 

[Ethosik]

“Apple will not provide you with technical support” would be a correct statement, which I’m thinking is what you mean? If so, I did not clearly know what you meant. Unsupported does have a different meaning, as it implies the software drivers do not exist.

As I said, I wouldn’t want to use it, but there are Monterey drivers available and I believe they are even signed. And it is amazing that they now work on the OP’s Mac, as they have been beaten to death here.

Can I call up Apple support and get support for this DisplayLink driver? Unsupported means unsupported, you know how to read context right? Apple does not officially support this, otherwise their product page will clearly list more than one display is possible with the air.

Unsupported by Apple
Supported by the driver developers

Still means it is unsupported by Apple. And the next Monterey update can break it again because.....follow me here....it is not an officially supported method of adding more displays.

Seriously with the logic you are saying means Microsoft officially supports Malware because some third party entity supports it?

 

[bgillander]

Can I call up Apple support and get support for this DisplayLink driver? Unsupported means unsupported, you know how to read context right? Apple does not officially support this, otherwise their product page will clearly list more than one display is possible with the air.

Unsupported by Apple
Supported by the driver developers

Still means it is unsupported by Apple. And the next Monterey update can break it again because.....follow me here....it is not an officially supported method of adding more displays.

Seriously with the logic you are saying means Microsoft officially supports Malware because some third party entity supports it?

No, I’m saying Windows supports DisplayLink, as does the Mac OS.

However, Microsoft and Apple will not provide technical support.

Language matters.

 

[Ethosik]

No, I’m saying Windows supports DisplayLink, as does the Mac OS.

However, Microsoft and Apple will not provide technical support.

Language matters.

Yes take your last line to heart, and this is what I mean about getting down into the weeds with technicalities. Apple OFFICIALLY does not support DisplayLink....they do not discuss it on stage, and their support reps cannot help. Monterey update a month from now can break DisplayLink and Apple should not get ANY blame because its not an Apple product that they officially support.

Again, you are getting WAY into the weeds here with technicalities. Is it supported by SOMEONE? Yes, the maker of the software. But my main point still stands that OFFICIALLY Apple does not support it and guarantee any and ALL updated to the OS will still keep it functional.

Yes language matters, what what started this whole mess still applies. Language matters that Apple does not support it.

And if you REALLY want to get technical about it, macOS does not support DisplayLink. It supports the API calls and Swift language built to create such an application. Again this is like saying Windows supports malware. Lets stop getting down in the technicalities on what support means. By your definition, yes Windows is 100% in support of Malware because it runs on Windows.

 

[bgillander]

Yes take your last line to heart, and this is what I mean about getting down into the weeds with technicalities. Apple OFFICIALLY does not support DisplayLink....they do not discuss it on stage, and their support reps cannot help. Monterey update a month from now can break DisplayLink and Apple should not get ANY blame because its not an Apple product that they officially support.

Is it supported by SOMEONE? Yes, the maker of the software. But my main point still stands that OFFICIALLY Apple does not support it and guarantee any and ALL updated to the OS will still keep it functional.

Yes language matters, what what started this whole mess still applies. Language matters that Apple does not support it.

And if you REALLY want to get technical about it, macOS does not support DisplayLink. It supports the API calls and Swift language built to create such an application. Again this is like saying Windows supports malware. Lets stop getting down in the technicalities on what support means. By your definition, yes Windows is 100% in support of Malware because it runs on Windows.

“Again, you are getting WAY into the weeds here with technicalities.”

Nope, that is you. I’m talking about English and the use of the word “supported” in the context of software. I honestly thought you meant MacOS did not run DisplayLink because of the way you worded it, but here we are with you talking Windows Malware straw men. I have to agree with Analog Kid on this one.

 

[Ethosik]

“Again, you are getting WAY into the weeds here with technicalities.”

Nope, that is you. I’m talking about English and the use of the word “supported” in the context of software. I honestly thought you meant MacOS did not run DisplayLink because of the way you worded it, but here we are with you talking Windows Malware straw men. I have to agree with Analog Kid on this one.

Seriously, this is getting irritating. Why doesn't Apple have any documents that list DisplayLink? What will I get told if I call Apple and ask for help with DisplayLink? CONTEXT matters here. My ENTIRE POINT from the absolute BEGINNING was Apple does not OFFICIALLY SUPPORT IT!!!!! Context matters. If I call Apple, what will they tell me? One word. The same thing I have been saying correct? If I call Apple and say my three display setup on my M1 air is not working, what will they tell me? THIS is the context I am referring to here.

What Apple DOES support (just like my malware example which is NOT straw man BTW) is the programming languages and tools used to build such software.

 

[bgillander]

Seriously, this is getting irritating. Why doesn't Apple have any documents that list DisplayLink? What will I get told if I call Apple and ask for help with DisplayLink? CONTEXT matters here. My ENTIRE POINT from the absolute BEGINNING was Apple does not OFFICIALLY SUPPORT IT!!!!! Context matters. If I call Apple, what will they tell me? One word. The same thing I have been saying correct? If I call Apple and say my three display setup on my M1 air is not working, what will they tell me? THIS is the context I am referring to here.

What Apple DOES support (just like my malware example which is NOT straw man BTW) is the programming languages and tools used to build such software.

They would not tell you it is unsupported, they would tell you it is supported by someone else (as you said earlier). Supported by someone else does not equal unsupported. Not supported by us does not equal unsupported. Unsupported is an absolute. Unsupported traditionally means something specific when it comes to the software and OS relationship, as in it doesn’t run on this OS. For example, “DisplayLink is supported on Windows and MacOS, but unsupported on BeOS”.

 

[macintoshmac]

Hey!
The last year I got myself a MacBook Air M1 and I was really impressed with it. After upgrading to macOS 12 I started facing so many issues that I'm almost going insane here.
I am so tired of nothing working. I connect my docking station to my MacBook (even downloaded the drivers) and everything appeared to work.
After the reboot all of my USB devices stopped working. Everything works just fine on my Windows PCs.

Also, everything worked perfectly in Big Sur. I even downloaded DisplayLink manager for macOS 12 specifically.

I am really disappointed in Apple, really. I have never faced such issues before. Even with Lion that people just hated and called it buggy I never had SUCH issues.

Edit: The docking station started working normally today. Probably shutting it down for a longer period of time helped.
Thanks a lot for your help everybody!

Why would you regret getting a Mac when ONLY a docking station is not working?

Happy to note it is working again, but if that just happened randomly, I would suggest looking for another dock, regardless of how well it works with another operating system, because we want to use it on this operating system.

 

[Ethosik]

They would not tell you it is unsupported, they would tell you it is supported by someone else (as you said earlier). Supported by someone else does not equal unsupported. Not supported by us does not equal unsupported. Unsupported is an absolute. Unsupported traditionally means something specific when it comes to the software and OS relationship, as in it doesn’t run on this OS. For example, “DisplayLink is supported on Windows and MacOS, but unsupported on BeOS”.

They would say, as was told by our Dell rep years ago "That is not supported by us, please contact their support". Which by definition, it is unsupported by Dell. Meaning I cannot contact their support for assistance. Dell does not support it. "Does not support it". What is the word for that? Therefore, it is unsupported by Apple. Support is not a two way street. macOS does not support DisplayLink (which is not the correct context to use, as that would mean Apple provided inherit support built in to macOS for DisplayLink driver built in). Instead it is DisplayLink supports macOS. This is the correct order and it matters. Any and all support needs to go via DisplayLink support and NOT Apple because it is NOT macOS that supports DisplayLink, but the other way around.

Again, this is getting ridiculous. This is based off of just one comment I made many pages ago and it was 100% correct. Using more than one display on M1 Air is officially unsupported by Apple. If you feel differently, then contact Apple and have them change their product page so they can officially support three displays on M1 Air.

 

[macintoshmac]

Unsupported traditionally means something specific when it comes to the software and OS relationship, as in it doesn’t run on this OS. For example, “DisplayLink is supported on Windows and MacOS, but unsupported on BeOS”.

That is sort of what context means, I think. @Ethosik might have something to say about this, too.

 

[Fomalhaut]

Two external displays are working now + all of the USB devices. So yeah… You're wrong.

Please read my post again carefully - I said that a Caldigit TB3 dock is not going to help you run two displays from your MBA, because the Caldigit dock is not a DisplayLink dock. I have the same Dell D6000 DisplayDock as you and was using it successfully on an M1 Mac Mini - albeit with a few reliability issues waking up displays. I got better reliability and performance running the displays from the CalDigit dock, but of course the M1 Mini supports 2 external displays, unlike your MBA. I also don't know whether the D6000 would give the same problems as you have if I upgraded to Monterey, which based on your experience, I won't be doing. So at least *you* have potentially helped other users by being an early adopter.

BTW, I'm trying to help you, so you can lose the attitude with the "yeah...you're wrong" comment...thanks!

Your current DisplayLink works....for now...and I hope it continues to do so. However, you may well that subsequent reboots or minor MacOS upgrades result in another failure. I would plan for this if I were you.

 

[Fomalhaut]

No, I’m saying Windows supports DisplayLink, as does the Mac OS.

However, Microsoft and Apple will not provide technical support.

Language matters.

Agreed - there is ambiguity in the term "unsupported". It implies that the use DisplayLink is a deviation from supported standards and may lead to unpredictable or erroneous behaviour. I think the more blanket explanation is that Apple does not provide technical support for third-party software, but supports their own APIs and services that said 3rd party software uses.

So I don't think it is correct to say that DisplayLink drivers are unsupported on Apple hardware. They are supported by DisplayLink themselves, in the same way that other vendors support their own software that runs on MacOS.

It reminds me of the earlier WHO warning that face-masks are "not recommended", which struck me as odd language. The implication was that there were negative consequences for the wearers, in the same way that smoking or drinking heavily is "not recommended". The language should have been "face masks are only currently required by health professionals" - because the intention was to prevent shortages for the people who needed them most.

As you say, precise language is important.

 

[macduke]

I’ve never installed ”drivers” for a Mac before. Thats probably your problem. If I can’t just plug it in and it works then I send it back.

 

[project_2501]

I’ve never installed ”drivers” for a Mac before. Thats probably your problem. If I can’t just plug it in and it works then I send it back.

Wacom drivers?

printer drivers?

 

[Arctic Moose]

printer drivers?

I don't think I've installed printer drivers this side of year 2000.