Question :
I have an M3 MacBook that I would like to use with 2 external 4K monitors for my work setup, so I bought an extra 4K monitor, but when I tried to connect it to my MacBook, it didn’t work… What is wrong ?
How many displays can I connect to my M3 MacBook simultaneously ?
Answer :
There are hardware limitations to how many additional screens you can connect to a Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) Mac, and they are not the same for the basic M-version, the Pro-version and the Max-version. Actually, it’s quite confusing, because there’s also variation in what you can connect using either Thunderbolt or HDMI. Please find the number of external screens you can connect in the tables below [ warning ! the below may contain typos, do doublecheck on the official Apple website ] :
| 4K-resolution | over Thunderbolt only | over Thunderbolt + HDMI |
| M1 | +1 | +1 |
| M1 Pro | +3 | +3 |
| M1 Max | +3 | +4 |
| M2 | +1 | +1 |
| M2 Pro | +2 | +2 |
| M2 Max | +3 | +4 |
| M3 | +2 (but only with lid closed) | +2 (but only with lid closed) |
| M3 Pro | +2 | +2 |
| M3 Max | +3 | +4 |
| M4 | +2 | +2 |
| M4 Pro | +2 | +2 |
| M4 Max | +4 | +4 |
| 6K-resolution | over Thunderbolt only | over Thunderbolt + HDMI |
| M1 | +1 | +1 |
| M1 Pro | +2 | +2 |
| M1 Max | +3 | +3 |
| M2 | +1 | +1 |
| M2 Pro | +2 | +2 (but HDMI max. 4K) |
| M2 Max | +3 | +4 (but HDMI max. 4K) |
| M3 | +2 (but 2nd max. 5K) | +2 (but HDMI max. 4K) |
| M3 Pro | +2 | +2 (but HDMI max. 4K) |
| M3 Max | +3 | +4 (but HDMI max. 4K) |
| M4 | +2 | +2 (but HDMI max. 4K) |
| M4 Pro | +2 | +2 (but HDMI max. 4K) |
| M4 Max | +4 (daisy chaining needed) | +4 (but HDMI max. 4K) |
| 8K-resolution | over Thunderbolt | over Thunderbolt + HDMI |
| M1 | not possible | not possible |
| M1 Pro | not possible | not possible |
| M1 Max | not possible | not possible |
| M2 | not possible | not possible |
| M2 Pro | not possible | +1 (over HDMI only) |
| M2 Max | not possible | +1 (over HDMI only) |
| M3 | not possible | not possible |
| M3 Pro | not possible | +1 (over HDMI only) |
| M3 Max | not possible | +1 (over HDMI only) |
| M4 | +1 | +1 |
| M4 Pro | +1 | +1 |
| M4 Max | +2 | +2 |
so… generally, all M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs can support at least one external 4K (or even 6K) screen, but if you want connect multiple external screens to your MacBook, you are probably goning to need a multi-monitor-hub, like the BenQ beCreatus DP1310 docking station.
The BenQ beCreatus DP1310 docking station will enable every silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) MacBook to connect over USB-C to up to 3 external 4K screens (2 over HDMI and the 3rd over DP/DisplayPort).
The regular price of the DP1310 Dock is ca. €300, so check out below if you can get a better price on Amazon [we get a tiny fee if you buy anything using these links, but you will not be paying anything extra] :
BenQ beCreatus DP1310 dock on Amazon US
BenQ beCreatus DP1310 dock on Amazon UK
BenQ beCreatus DP1310 dock on Amazon DE
enjoy 😉
MacManus.nl 