Is DisplayLink worthwhile on it on M4 - have to decide Pro or Max

[Mac_Professor]

I was using a Mac mini Pro M2 and MacBook Air M1 with 3 monitors (needed) and caldigit docking station. I got tired of swapping back and forth, syncing files etc so I have been using my M1 which is still a great machine. I had to use a OWC display link adapter to support the two additional monitors with the M1. I plan on getting a newer MacBook realistically I want one that supports 3 displays natively but for the M4 Max it is expensive and I need either 36 or 48GB. If I use the MacBook Pro M4 which supports two external natively will it be a big hit in performance. I use VMs and generally keep it on the one monitor that is not display link. Technically I do not need a max chip the multiple displays support. I'm constantly running VMs.

I use display link now don't necessarily like it but tired of switching. Is it a big performance hit on M4 Pro or should I just get the Max chip?

Thanks for input. This means the difference between 3400 and 2400 in price which is quite large.

Thanks!!

 

[ashman70]

I've been using a pluggable dock with Displaylink for a few years now and I've had no issues. I have three older Samsung 28 inch 4K monitors and they work great. I used to have an M1 Mac Studio with the base M1 Max config and now I have an M4 14 inch MBP base config, everything works great. Some people have commented that display link takes a hit on CPU, but I have never noticed any issues.

 

[estabya]

I have a base M4 Pro MBP from work that I use with three monitors, one on Displaylink of course. I don’t have any CPU usage issues, but I didn’t on my M1 either. Displaylink has its limits as you know, but I usually just have my email open on that monitor, so it works fine for that. If your three monitor workflow involves one screen that is largely static and/or text-based then in my opinion Displaylink is a perfectly reasonable alternative to upgrading to the M4 Max.

 

[ashman70]

I have a base M4 Pro MBP from work that I use with three monitors, one on Displaylink of course. I don’t have any CPU usage issues, but I didn’t on my M1 either. Displaylink has its limits as you know, but I usually just have my email open on that monitor, so it works fine for that. If your three monitor workflow involves one screen that is largely static and/or text-based then in my opinion Displaylink is a perfectly reasonable alternative to upgrading to the M4 Max.

I'm just curious, in your opinion, what would not be a good workflow for displaylink?

 

[estabya]

Despite their claims, the video compression used by Displaylink causes visible artifacts when certain content is on screen, especially full screen video. I’ve never used a Displaylink setup that doesn’t exhibit this behavior. It’s even quite noticeable on slowly moving animated wallpapers and screensavers. I can’t imagine trying to do any photo or video editing.

Additionally, Displaylink doesn’t support HDCP so copyrighted content from iTunes and streaming services will not play on a Displaylink connected monitor.

 

[ashman70]

It's odd that you say these things, I've been using display link for over to years with my current dock and Samsung monitors and never noticed the artifacts you mention. As for the HDCP content, I play music on iTunes almost every day. I'm not disputing what your saying, only saying that I have not experienced it using Displaylink.

 

[estabya]

The HDCP restrictions would apply to video content only.

I’ll see if I can get a video tomorrow showing the artifacts on the Mac OS wallpaper.

 

[Mac_Professor]

I’m actually leaning towards Max M4. I do not need the power but primarily the monitors. I have tried to go to 1 large monitor using windowing software but it does not work for me, my workflow requires multiple screens with a vm always open. I don’t like paying the price but the monitors mean more to me than anything else

 

[chrono1081]

I’m actually leaning towards Max M4. I do not need the power but primarily the monitors. I have tried to go to 1 large monitor using windowing software but it does not work for me, my workflow requires multiple screens with a vm always open. I don’t like paying the price but the monitors mean more to me than anything else

Think of it this way, will you miss that extra money in a year? If no I'd say go the max and save yourself some headache.

 

[throAU]

I've used a displaylink dock before (on M1 Pro if I recall). I hated it. My Pro didn't need it, but the work provided dock was displayLink and I wanted a single cable power/display solution.

Third party driver install, permissions to record screen, occasional glitchy performance... screw that. Just get the machine with enough display out.

Video quality was different to native too (as above, artefacts), can't remember specifics exactly as it was 3 years ago but just remember my hatred/dislike and getting rid of the dock. I didn't notice a significant performance impact, just the screen looked.... off.


Look... I'm sure most people would be fine with it, but if you are sensitive or picky about screen/video quality (I am)... steer clear. I'd rather run less monitors than monitors that look like trash due to displaylink compression, etc.

 

[throAU]

I’m actually leaning towards Max M4. I do not need the power but primarily the monitors. I have tried to go to 1 large monitor using windowing software but it does not work for me, my workflow requires multiple screens with a vm always open. I don’t like paying the price but the monitors mean more to me than anything else

You won't regret the included GPU upgrade and potentially more memory for AI/LLM performance. More CPU cores and RAM for VMs is nice too.

I went M1 Pro to M4 max, do not regret.

 

[Mac_Professor]

Thanks! I went all in getting black with nano texture etc. It will be used for 4 years so it's a small price to pay when you run your own consulting business and simply need what you need to work properly. I will delegate the Air to my travel machine and M4 Max to workstation at home and work spaces as many times I will go to a cafe, Starbucks for a change of view and I have thing I need rather than having to sync sync sync. Will be selling Mac mini M2 pro which does not get used.

Again the advice was well worth it. Plus I finally get to watch Marvel again on Disney Plus when taking a break between projects. Plus the monitors I have were not cheap 3 Dell UltraSharp monitors (Excellent color accuracy) so I'm sure the video quality will be better with the onboard GPU