Does Plugable Support macOS With Our DisplayLink-Based Products?
Last Update: December 31st, 2021Article ID: 724337
Our DisplayLink-based products are supported with macOS albeit with some potential limitations.
As of this writing, there are two different versions of the macOS driver that have been released by DisplayLink (the separate company that makes the primary chip within our DisplayLink-based products, and who also develops the software driver).
A ‘legacy’ version which uses a kernel extension in order to provide its functionality, and a newer ‘DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity’ App which utilizes a new architecture that does not rely on a kernel extension to provide its functionality.
The choice of which driver to use is ultimately determined by one’s OS version and individual specific requirements, since each version offers different capabilities and operating system compatibility. We have provided a comparison table below that highlights their differences in an effort to help our customers make an informed decision.
|
New DisplayLink Manager Graphics Connectivity App |
‘Legacy’ DisplayLink driver |
|
|
Supported operating system versions |
macOS 10.15 Catalina, macOS 11 Big Sur, and macOS 12 Monterey |
macOS 10.14 Mojave and macOS 10.15 Catalina |
|
Ease of installation |
Straightforward |
Can sometimes be more difficult, as compared to the new App |
|
Supports closed-display mode (aka clamshell mode) |
- No with macOS 10.15 Catalina and macOS 11 Big Sur on Intel-based systems - Yes with macOS 12 Monterey on Intel-based systems (an external power source must be connected to the Mac) - Yes with macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey on Apple M1-based systems (an external power source must be connected to the Mac) |
Yes |
|
Supports display ‘rotation’ |
- No with macOS 10.15 Catalina - Yes with macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey on Intel CPU systems - No with macOS 11 Big Sur on Apple M1 CPU-based systems - Yes with macOS 12 Monterey on Apple M1 CPU-based systems using DisplayLink Manager version 1.6 *** |
Yes |
|
Supports macOS ‘Login screen’ |
Yes, with additional ‘Login screen’ application installation |
Yes |
|
Manageability |
Via DisplayLink icon within the Apple Menu bar |
No management application |
|
Development status |
Actively being developed |
Being phased out due to changes within macOS |
*** Display rotation on M1 Macs is accomplished within the DisplayLink Manager Application. It is NOT accomplished via the 'Displays' System Preferences application. More information on this feature is available here --> Link