MBA 15” - Multiple display support?

[ysvsr1]

I read some information about not supporting more than one monitor by MBA 15 machine. Is it true that even with sime 3rd larty adapters, I cannot connect my MBA to dual monitors. My use case is to use MBA to carry with me and connect to office virtual desktop. At office, I need to connect to 2 monitors (hd monitors, not 4k) and work. I am seeing 14 MBP and MBA 15 and not liking the additional weight of 14.

if I buy 14 MBP M3, will it support multiple monitors? M3, m3 pro, m3 max all are very confusing and hard to find the differences in my use case.

 

[MRxROBOT]

You can use more than one display with the MacBook Air, just not natively. You just need a Display link adapter or dock to get it working. Since you only need HD, this one is only about $40.

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to HDMI Universal Video Adapter, Displaylink Chips Supports up to 6 Monitor displays, Compatible with Windows, MacOS, Ubuntu 20.04,22.04,LTS, ChromeOS-Upgrade Version

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to HDMI Universal Video Adapter, Displaylink Chips Supports up to 6 Monitor displays, Compatible with Windows, MacOS, Ubuntu 20.04,22.04,LTS, ChromeOS-Upgrade Version

www.amazon.com

The 14" M3 MBP will support multiple monitors natively. The M3 is the only SOC that can only do 1 monitor natively. All other variants can do multiple. The higher the tier, the more monitors you can connect.

Native Monitor Support for MacBooks:

M3: 1
M3 Pro: 2
M3 Max: 4

How many displays can be connected to MacBook Pro - Apple Support

The number of external displays that you can use at the same time depends on your Mac model and the resolution and refresh rate of each display.

support.apple.com

 

[ysvsr1]

You can use more than one display with the MacBook Air, just not natively. You just need a Display link adapter or dock to get it working. Since you only need HD, this one is only about $40.

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to HDMI Universal Video Adapter, Displaylink Chips Supports up to 6 Monitor displays, Compatible with Windows, MacOS, Ubuntu 20.04,22.04,LTS, ChromeOS-Upgrade Version

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to HDMI Universal Video Adapter, Displaylink Chips Supports up to 6 Monitor displays, Compatible with Windows, MacOS, Ubuntu 20.04,22.04,LTS, ChromeOS-Upgrade Version

www.amazon.com

The 14" M3 MBP will support multiple monitors natively. The M3 is the only SOC that can only do 1 monitor natively. All other variants can do multiple. The higher the tier, the more monitors you can connect.

Native Monitor Support for MacBooks:

M3: 1
M3 Pro: 2
M3 Max: 4

How many displays can be connected to MacBook Pro - Apple Support

The number of external displays that you can use at the same time depends on your Mac model and the resolution and refresh rate of each display.

support.apple.com

Thank you so much. Is there any 4k display link adapter that works with mba 15?

 

[MRxROBOT]

Thank you so much. Is there any 4k display link adapter that works with mba 15?

Yes there's quite a few on the market. Most seems to have a USB A connection which needs an adapter.

I like this one as it has a USB C connection and gives you docking functionality. So you get extra ports like 2x HDMI, USB-A and USB-C, 82W pass-through charging, Gigabit ethernet, and an SD card slot

Plugable 7-in-1 USB C Docking Station Dual Monitor - Dual HDMI Dock is Compatible with Mac and Windows, USB4, Thunderbolt or USB-C, 100W PD, 2X HDMI, 1x USB-C, 1Gbps Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0, 1x SD Card

You might think our USB-C Dual HDMI Docking Station (USBC-6950PDZ) is just a USB-C travel hub for adding a couple of ports. But the moment you start connecting to the 2x HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, USB ports with charging, or the SD slot, you might feel differently. Windows and Mac laptops get a full...

www.amazon.com

This one has DisplayPort as well as HDMI but loses all of the additional ports. It's $10 cheaper but if you're not using DisplayPort, I'd go with the one I posted above as you get a lot more connectivity for your $.

Plugable 4K DisplayPort and HDMI Dual Monitor Adapter for USB 3.0 and USB-C, Compatible with Windows and ChromeOS

Plugable USB 3.0 and USB-C Dual 4K Display Adapter (USBC-6950U) allows you to connect up to two additional displays that support up to 3840x2160@60Hz resolutions each. Our adapter is compatible with most modern Windows laptops, desktops and tablets that have a USB 3.0 or USB Type-C or Thunderbolt...

www.amazon.com

 

[ysvsr1]

Thank you so much.

 

[genexx]

Have you imagined to use:

Internal Display
External Monitor
TV via Airplay

I use this setup for Meetings and can also Screen-share the TV Screen connected via AirPlay this way.

Plus if you need add via DisplayLink capable Dock.
But it has to have Display Link to add a second Monitor over it !