Applicable To
Supported Plugable DisplayLink or Silicon Motion USB graphics adapters connected directly to a computer or through a compatible USB data port on a dock or hub.
Before You Connect
- Check the USB graphics adapter's product page for supported operating systems, monitor count, maximum resolution, and required software.
- Use a USB data port that meets the adapter's requirements. The port does not need to support DisplayPort Alt Mode because the USB graphics adapter receives data over USB.
- Make sure the dock or hub has enough power and USB bandwidth for the adapter and other attached devices. A direct connection to the computer can help isolate hub-related issues.
- On macOS, install the software required for the adapter technology and grant the macOS permissions it requests. DisplayLink Manager and Silicon Motion InstantView are different applications.
A productive work space for technology professionals has much to benefit from adding multiple screens for increased productivity by as much as 42%. Our blog post “Can Multiple Monitors Really Double Productivity” highlights several ways to add additional monitors using our USB graphics adapters, docking stations, and USB hubs.
Most docking stations are limited to adding 1, 2, or up to 4 displays, depending on the model. But what if you want to add more monitors without replacing your docking station? Whether you have a Plugable dock or a dock from Dell, HP, Belkin, Anker, or virtually any other brand, adding USB graphics adapters lets you connect more displays than your current setup would otherwise support.
Both DisplayLink and Silicon Motion, with its unique graphics transport technology, enable users to add additional monitors via USB and with minimal use of your computer's resources. All you need is an open USB port on your existing docking station or hub and a USB graphics adapter from Plugable.
No matter what type of connection your monitor uses, Plugable offers several different types of USB Graphics Adapters with HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA, including models with multiple outputs and port types. Our USB Graphics Adapters are available in options for single-, dual-, and quad-display configurations.
For Windows and Mac users, the Plugable USBC-6950U, which uses DisplayLink technology, can do precisely this by enabling you to easily add two 4K HDMI or DisplayPort monitors to your computer. The adapter can connect to either a USB 3.0 or USB-C connector. At this time, Plugable recommends only a maximum of 8 external monitors on Windows if using 4K resolution monitors with DisplayLink, and a maximum of 4 external monitors with Silicon Motion. This setup is ideal for adding screens for day traders, spreadsheets, and productivity use cases.
On macOS, there are limitations to how many external monitors can be supported natively, and this can vary depending on the model of the Mac. With the popular base M1 / M2 / M3* MacBooks, those laptops are limited to supporting only a single external monitor. Our Plugable USBC-768H4 Quad-HDMI adapter is a great option to exceed this limitation by adding up to four 1080p monitors for MacBooks that would otherwise only support a single monitor for a total of 5 monitors.
Curious to see this expandability in action? As a proof of concept, Plugable has tested using as many as 14 external monitors using a combination of our DisplayLink graphics adapters and our USB hubs, featured on our YouTube channel.
Important Notes
Adding an adapter does not guarantee a particular total number of external displays. The practical limit varies with the computer, operating system, adapter models, display resolutions, USB bandwidth, and workload. On macOS, a USB graphics adapter may add displays beyond a Mac's native display limit, but its software must be running and permissions enabled. Avoid assuming that a dock's native video outputs and USB graphics outputs work through the same technology.
For example, the Plugable USBC-6950U is a DisplayLink adapter with two video outputs; check its product specifications and host compatibility before choosing it for a setup.
Additional Notes
- Base M3 can output to 2 external displays when the built-in screen is disabled, or the lid is closed (clamshell mode). This feature is planned for a later date on the base M3 MacBook Pro and is currently available on the M3 MacBook Air.
- Additional SKUs: USBC-6950M, USB3-3900DHE, USBC-6950UE, UGA-HDMI-S, USBC-768H4, UGA-HDMI-2S, UGA-DP-S, USB-VGA-165, UGA-4KHDMI, UGA-4KDP, UGA-3000, UGA-2KHDMI, UGA-165
Need Assistance?
For help planning a multi-monitor setup, email support@plugable.com with your computer and operating system, dock or hub model, adapter model, monitor models, and desired display count and resolution.
