Does anyone know if it's possible in any way to get this Macbook Air to be able to use 3 monitors instead of only 2 monitors?
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@cliffwade The Airs can’t support more than 2 extra monitors. You need a Pro for that bud.
@cyberseckyle That's what I was lead to believe and hate that it's true.
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Does anyone know if it's possible in any way to get this Macbook Air to be able to use 3 monitors instead of only 2 monitors? This is the work laptop that I have currently.
Currently, I have two external monitors and I know I can use the laptop itself as a third, but I absolutely can't stand the small screen and want 3 external monitors.
From what I'm seeing, it simply doesn't support 3 external monitors.
@cliffwade you might have to get one of the USB DisplayLink video adapters, not DisplayPort.
In short: the _difference_ is the adapter speaks _USB_ not DisplayPort between the adapter and the computer, to bypass the onboard graphics chip in the Mac. The root cause here is the Mac graphics chip doesn't support a bunch of displays, nor Multi Stream Transport.
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@cliffwade Upon re-read, what you said at the end.
@dhry @cliffwade Wait wait. I'm thinking of the CHIP itself. M1. What chip?
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@dhry @cliffwade Wait wait. I'm thinking of the CHIP itself. M1. What chip?
@dhry Whatever the link says the chip is. M4 I believe.
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@cliffwade you might have to get one of the USB DisplayLink video adapters, not DisplayPort.
In short: the _difference_ is the adapter speaks _USB_ not DisplayPort between the adapter and the computer, to bypass the onboard graphics chip in the Mac. The root cause here is the Mac graphics chip doesn't support a bunch of displays, nor Multi Stream Transport.
@xabean I'm being told that Air's only support 2 external monitors, so would this actually work?
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@dhry @cliffwade Wait wait. I'm thinking of the CHIP itself. M1. What chip?
@dhry @cliffwade It may theoretically be possible if it's not a hardware limitation - there are some USB dongles that have one or two HDMI outs, that uses one usb-c port, the other could be a usb-c to hdmi third monitor. but requires extra hardware.
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@cyberseckyle That's what I was lead to believe and hate that it's true.
@cliffwade It just doesn’t have enough power. https://support.apple.com/en-us/122212
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@dhry @cliffwade It may theoretically be possible if it's not a hardware limitation - there are some USB dongles that have one or two HDMI outs, that uses one usb-c port, the other could be a usb-c to hdmi third monitor. but requires extra hardware.
@dhry I currently have a dock to hook up the monitors with already, so I don't really mind having extra hardware.
Just curious exactly what I would need and if it's something that would actually work.
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@dhry Whatever the link says the chip is. M4 I believe.
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@dhry I currently have a dock to hook up the monitors with already, so I don't really mind having extra hardware.
Just curious exactly what I would need and if it's something that would actually work.
@cliffwade Here’s my dongle with two hdmi outs.
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@dhry That doesn't sound good and not an option I want to deal with. I want it or need it to be fully supported.
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@xabean I'm being told that Air's only support 2 external monitors, so would this actually work?
@cliffwade you said *three* monitors, which I interpreted as external displays, not including the internal display; sorry if I interpreted you incorrectly.
I don't have a mac, but a coworker does, and they rely on a DisplayLink USB adapter to get them the number of displays they want (which I believe is 3 external displays)
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@cliffwade you said *three* monitors, which I interpreted as external displays, not including the internal display; sorry if I interpreted you incorrectly.
I don't have a mac, but a coworker does, and they rely on a DisplayLink USB adapter to get them the number of displays they want (which I believe is 3 external displays)
@xabean Yes, three external monitors. I don't want to use the built-in monitor of the laptop itself as I hate tiny screens.
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@dhry That doesn't sound good and not an option I want to deal with. I want it or need it to be fully supported.
@cliffwade Nope. Let your work know that them skimping on a shitty non-pro Macbook is causing you grief.
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@cliffwade Nope. Let your work know that them skimping on a shitty non-pro Macbook is causing you grief.
@dhry @cliffwade I mean, if it was a CHINESE laptop it'd be fucking better than Apple I reckon..
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@cliffwade Nope. Let your work know that them skimping on a shitty non-pro Macbook is causing you grief.
@dhry I'm going to see if we can trade it in and upgrade. I'd be willing to bet they would let us.
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@dhry @cliffwade I mean, if it was a CHINESE laptop it'd be fucking better than Apple I reckon..
@dhry LMAO
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@cliffwade Apple users be like
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@xabean Yes, three external monitors. I don't want to use the built-in monitor of the laptop itself as I hate tiny screens.
@cliffwade I think what my coworker does is:
Thunderbolt 4 monitor w/ back-power to the mac for one external display, Thunderbolt/DisplayPort (DisplayPort protocol over USB-C) for a second external display, and then a DisplayLink USB adapter for a third display. I just sent him a message now for specifics.
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