Understanding External Display Support on Apple M1, M2, M3, and M4 Chips

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 guide explains how many displays each chip can support while directly connected to the laptop, helping you choose the right Plugable dock or adapter for your setup. This article largely applies to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. Other Apple models, such as the Mac Mini and iMac, likely have the same specifications, 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 an M1 or M2 chip supports only one external display via Thunderbolt. Adding a Thunderbolt dock will not increase this limit due to hardware constraints.
• 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 Chip

Apple M1/M2 and M1/M2 Pro (up to 6K @ 60hz)

• M1/M2 Chip: Supports one external display via the Thunderbolt port.
• M1/M2 Pro Chip: Supports one external display via the Thunderbolt port, plus one additional display via the HDMI port (for a total of two displays).
• Note: The M1 chip's display limitation is hardware-based, even if additional ports are available.

Apple M1/M2 Max (6K @ 60hz)

• Supports three external displays via Thunderbolt ports.
• Adds one additional display via the HDMI port, for a total of four external displays.

Apple M3 and M3 Pro (up to 8K @ 60hz)

• M3 Chip:
  • Initially the MacBook Pro M3 supported one external display via the Thunderbolt port.
    • MacBook Air M3 shipped with dual display compatibility when the lid is closed
  • With a macOS update 14.6, the MacBook Pro M3 now supports two external displays when the lid is closed.
• M3 Pro Chip: Same as the M3, with two external displays supported when the lid is closed.

Note: Steps to set up a dual display with the laptop lid closed can be found here.

Apple M3 Max (up to 8K @ 60hz)

• Supports three external displays via Thunderbolt ports.
• Adds one additional display via the HDMI port, for a total of four external displays, regardless of whether the lid is open or closed.

Apple M4 and M4 Pro (up to 8K @ 60hz)

• M4 Chip: Supports two external displays via Thunderbolt ports.
• M4 Pro Chip:
  • Supports two external displays via Thunderbolt ports.
  • Adds one additional display via the HDMI port, for a total of three external displays.

Apple M4 Max (up to 8K @ 60hz)

• Supports three external displays via Thunderbolt ports.
• Adds one additional display via the HDMI port, for a total of four external displays, regardless of whether the lid is open or closed.

Troubleshooting and Support

If you’re unsure about your setup or encounter any issues, contact our support team at support@plugable.com