Overview

Apple's M1, M2, M3, and M4 chips deliver high performance, but each generation has unique capabilities for supporting external displays via the system’s Thunderbolt ports. This article explains how many displays each chip can support while directly connected to the laptop, and will assist you in identifying if a software solution (DisplayLink, InstantView, etc.) is needed. This article largely applies to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. Other Apple models, such as the Mac Mini and iMac may have similar display restrictions, but always check your specific device's documentation for confirmation.

Important Note: Native Display Limits

Even if you connect a Thunderbolt dock or adapter, extended displays cannot exceed what is natively supported by the Thunderbolt ports on your Mac device.

• Example: A MacBook with a base M1 or M2 CPU supports only one external display via Thunderbolt. Adding a Thunderbolt dock will not increase this limit due to hardware constraints.
• In several cases of the ‘Max’ variation of CPU, multiple Thunderbol ports must be used in order to connect mutliple displays. This can be done utilizing all Thunderbolt ports for a single display, or using a Thunderbolt dock to connect up to two of the displays.
• Plugable offers alternative solutions, such as USB DisplayLink technology-based docks and adapters, which allow for additional displays on devices with limited native support. This technology combines software and hardware to send video signals over USB data connections.

Display Support by CPU Version (Base, Pro, or Max)

Apple Base M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max

• Base M4 CPU
  • Supports two external displays via Thunderbolt ports up to 6K at 60Hz
• M4 Pro CPU 
  • Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt ports, or one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over one Thunderbolt port and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over the laptop HDMI port
  • One external display supported at 8K resolution at 60Hz over HDMI or one external display at 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI
• M4 Max CPU
  • Up to three external displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over two of the laptop's Thunderbolt ports and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI
  • Up to two external displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt ports and one external display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or one external display with 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI

Apple Base M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max

• Base M3 CPU
  • With macOS version14.6, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops with a Base M3 CPU supports two external displays when the lid is closed
  • One external display can support up to 6K at 60Hz, the second external display can support up to 5K at 60Hz
  • Note: Steps to set up a dual display with the laptop lid closed can be found here
• M3 Pro CPU
  • Supports two external displays via Thunderbolt ports up to 6K at 60Hz
  • Or supports one external display with up to 6K at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 4K at 144Hz over the laptop's HDMI port
• M3 Max CPU
  • Supports up to three external displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over two of the laptop's Thunderbolt ports and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI
  • Or up to two external displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or one external display with 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI

Apple Base M1/M2 and M1/M2 Pro and M1/M2 Max

• Base M1/M2 CPU 
  • Supports one external display via the Thunderbolt port up to 6K at 60Hz
• M1/M2 Pro CPU
  • Supports two external displays via the Thunderbolt port up to 6K at 60Hz
  • Or Supports one external display via one Thunderbolt port up to 6K at 60Hz and one external display via the HDMI port up to 4K at 60Hz (for a total of two displays)
• M1/M2 Max CPU
  • Supports three external displays via two of the laptop's Thunderbolt ports up to 6K at 60Hz and one additional display via the HDMI port up to 4K at 60Hz, for a total of four external displays

With all of the above information taken into account, and you're unable to achieve the amount of displays you have or would prefer a more simplified solution-- a software-enabled device may be what you need. This is where devices like our USBC-6950M or UD-ULTC4K would come in handy to expand your desktop passed any limitations (even on Pro and Max chips).

If you’re unsure about your setup, encounter any issues, or would like a recommendation for a software-enabled device contact our support team at support@plugable.com