How many monitors can I plug into my Mac, in any case?

One of the Mac’s greatest long-term benefits has been the simplicity of attaching exterior screens. The attachment connector variety, resolutions supported, and complete amount has diversified about time, but it’s a persistently quick activity.

Or at minimum it was! Above the last six years, Apple introduced USB 3 more than USB-C (12-inch MacBook, now discontinued), Thunderbolt 3, which utilizes USB-C (and supports quite a few types of adapters), and the Apple silicon M-collection processor products. Some Macs have or nonetheless involve online video-unique connectors, as well: in the previous, that bundled DVI (several varieties), Mini DisplayPort, DisplayPort about Thunderbolt 2, and HDMI.

A lot more lately, HDMI 2. grew to become the only remaining video clip connector that’s not USB-C. Apple constructed HDMI into lots of Intel types as effectively as on the M1 Mac mini, the 14-inch and 16-inch M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro, and the Mac Studio.

Figuring out how many displays can plug into which Macs has grow to be akin to calculus for several readers, centered on our mailbag.

(Have a keep an eye on that takes advantage of DVI, Mini DisplayPort, or Thunderbolt 2? Consult our tutorial from 2020 on how to figure out what you have and which sort of adapter you require. Want to use an iMac as an exterior watch? Only iMacs produced from 2009 to mid-2014 qualify. See “Troubleshooting suggestions for applying an outdated iMac as an external screen for a Thunderbolt 3 Mac.”)

Here’s the matchup for Macs of the final handful of generations, starting with the newest, not such as the inner screen for iMac and Mac laptops. Connections are by means of a USB-C relationship except exactly where famous.

The resolutions, for reference, are:

• 4K UHD: 3840×2160 pixels
• 4K: 4096 broad, with prevalent variations that consist of 4096×2160 or 4096×2304 pixels
• 5K: 5120×2880 pixels
• 6K: 6016×3384 pixels

The best resolution supported is listed for every single configuration or established of choices, but you can use a decrease-resolution check, much too. For occasion, the M1 Mac mini enables up to 6K in excess of USB-C, but you can plug a 4K UHD keep track of into that port instead.

M-sequence Mac monitor solutions

Most M1 and M2 Macs let including only a one exterior check the Mac mini permits two. Inspite of numerous reader thoughts, there’s no adapter or trickery you can do employing Apple devices to incorporate an supplemental display beyond the stage Apple supports.* The video clip circuitry basically is not there.

Below are your options grouped by screen alternatives:

• M1 and M2 MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, M1 iMac: One external show at up to 6K resolution
• M1 Mac mini: One at up to 6K more than USB-C and 1 at up to 4K over HDMI 2.

(*You can use components that utilizes DisplayLink technological know-how to include further monitors by using USB 3. It needs putting in a kernel-degree driver from the organization. Read through our overview of the Mac-suitable StarTech USB 3. to HDMI Adapter with DisplayLink.)

M1 Professional, Max, and Extremely keep track of possibilities

With the introduction in October 2021 of the M1 Professional and M1 Extremely chips adopted by the March 2022 announcement of the M1 Ultra, Apple radically expanded the display selections for professional-degree designs:

• 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro: Two exterior displays at up to 6K above USB-C and one particular at up to 4K over HDMI 2.
• 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max: 3 external shows at up to 6K in excess of USB-C and a single at up to 4K over HDMI 2.
• Mac Studio with M1 Max or M1 Extremely: 4 displays at up to 6K over USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 and and a single at up to 4K over HDMI 2.

The Mac Studio’s M1 Max configuration consists of two USB 3 entrance-experiencing USB-C ports that are not able to be utilized with DisplayPort adapters the M1 Extremely product updates those people to Thunderbolt 4, which can be utilised with a common USB-C DisplayPort adapter. This doesn’t decrease the variety of monitors that can be attached, but it could demands an external Thunderbolt 4 dock to have more than enough USB-C connectors free for all your functions.

Intel Mac with USB 3/Thunderbolt 3 monitor choices

Intel Macs with Thunderbolt 3 had a much more baroque array of prospective exterior check configurations. Here are the prospects for the final shipped version of just about every Thunderbolt 3 design and the 12-inch MacBook with USB 3 in excess of USB-C:

• 21.5-inch iMac: One 5K screen or two 4K UHD or 4K shows
• 27-inch iMac (typical movie card), 13-inch MacBook Pro: Either a single 5K or 6K display or two 4K UHD or 4K displays
• 27-inch iMac (AMD Radeon Professional 5700 or AMD Radeon Professional 5700 XT): Up to two 4K UHD, 4K, 5K, or 6K displays
• 16-inch MacBook Pro: Up to two 5K or 6K show or up to 4 4K UHD or 4K shows
• Mac mini: One 5K exhibit via USB-C or up to three 4K displays with a blend of USB-C and HDMI 2. ports
• Mac Pro: Depending on the video card, it ranges from 1 5K or 6K show or up to four 4K displays as a result of up to 4 5K or 6K displays or up to eight 4K displays
• 12-inch MacBook: One 4K display screen

Question Mac 911

We’ve compiled a record of the issues we get asked most commonly together with responses and backlinks to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your issue is included. If not, we’re often on the lookout for new problems to solve! E-mail yours to mac911@macworld.com including screen captures as acceptable, and irrespective of whether you want your comprehensive title employed. Not just about every dilemma will be answered, we never reply to email, and we simply cannot supply direct troubleshooting guidance.