Upgrading - M1 MBP - Can I use two displays ?

[deckard666]

I am finally setting up my M1 MacBook Pro and Lenovo 32p 4k monitor today and finally retiring my 2012 Mac Pro and my Dell 27" Monitor....I dont think the M1 Mac can run 2 displays so should I just sell both bits of Kit (I appreciate they wont sell for much though and shipping will be costly)

I mean I have never had a 2nd monitor so not really that bothered but if it sells for peanuts then Id rather keep it if I can use it...

 

[Bigwaff]

I dont think the M1 Mac can run 2 displays

If it is an M1 MBP 13" then it officially supports a single external display but there are ways to get around this limitation w/ software like DisplayLink and a Thunderbolt/USB4 hub. M1 MBP 14/16" support multiple external displays.

 

[deckard666]

Is it worth the hassle as I have never had 2 displays before - pretty much just web surfing and the occasional bit of music production with Ableton...

 

[M3Stang]

I have been using 3 external displays with my 13" M1 MacBook Pro since I got it in 2021. I use 2 displayLink adapters and 1 HDMI port from my little amazon hub (this is where the 1 display that it can output goes). The annoying thing about getting display link is that it requires 3rd party software to be running which needs access to "record your screen". Apparently it doesn't actually record the screen, rather from what I have read, it records the pixels that the Mac is sending to these fake displays and then capturing them to render them on your monitors. The other annoying thing, especially after Sonoma is now I have a permanent purple "your screen is being shared" icon in the menu bar. Also, unlock with Apple Watch does not work with display link running as Apple Watch unlock is not available "while your screen is being observed". Also night shift doesn't work with display link if that matters to you.