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Connecting Macbook to 2 external monitors

Hiya - I am trying to connect my Macbook Pro (2011-15 model) to 2 external monitors. My Macbook has 2x Thunderbolt, 1x HDMI, 2x USB. Monitor 1 has HDMI, Displayport and USB-C. Monitor 2 only has HDMI. How can I connect all 3? What adapters do I need? Thanks

Posted on Mar 26, 2020 2:13 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 26, 2020 4:44 AM

obobob wrote:

Hiya - I am trying to connect my Macbook Pro (2011-15 model) to 2 external monitors. My Macbook has 2x Thunderbolt, 1x HDMI, 2x USB. Monitor 1 has HDMI, Displayport and USB-C. Monitor 2 only has HDMI. How can I connect all 3? What adapters do I need? Thanks




2016 and 2017 models of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar limiting full speeds to the two left-side Thunderbolt 3 ports, with reduced bandwidth on the right-side ports.


All three generations of the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar have always had four full-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro with function keys has only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, both full speed.



Using 4K displays, 5K displays, and Ultra HD TVs with your Mac - Apple Support
 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206587


Get help with video issues on external displays connected to your Mac - Apple Support
 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201177


Use the LG UltraFine 5K Display with your Mac or iPad Pro https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210205




The USB-C A/V adapter is designed for one display and the USB-C port is for power input only.


You will be able to connect two displays only via a "Thunderbolt 3" dual-display solution. There are many available but be sure to look at the specs for Mac compatibility. There are also USB-C dual-display solutions but to the best of my knowledge they are Windows-only.


In your situation (only one port available), you should look for a Thunderbolt 3 dock with power delivery (sometimes called laptop charging capability) and Mac compatibility. There are good solutions from StarTech, OWC, Plugable, CableMatters, and others that will suit. I have used CableMatters and StarTech docks to drive 2 external 4k displays.


see: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250342057?answerId=250646874022#250646874022



1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 26, 2020 4:44 AM in response to obobob

obobob wrote:

Hiya - I am trying to connect my Macbook Pro (2011-15 model) to 2 external monitors. My Macbook has 2x Thunderbolt, 1x HDMI, 2x USB. Monitor 1 has HDMI, Displayport and USB-C. Monitor 2 only has HDMI. How can I connect all 3? What adapters do I need? Thanks




2016 and 2017 models of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar limiting full speeds to the two left-side Thunderbolt 3 ports, with reduced bandwidth on the right-side ports.


All three generations of the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar have always had four full-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro with function keys has only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, both full speed.



Using 4K displays, 5K displays, and Ultra HD TVs with your Mac - Apple Support
 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206587


Get help with video issues on external displays connected to your Mac - Apple Support
 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201177


Use the LG UltraFine 5K Display with your Mac or iPad Pro https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210205




The USB-C A/V adapter is designed for one display and the USB-C port is for power input only.


You will be able to connect two displays only via a "Thunderbolt 3" dual-display solution. There are many available but be sure to look at the specs for Mac compatibility. There are also USB-C dual-display solutions but to the best of my knowledge they are Windows-only.


In your situation (only one port available), you should look for a Thunderbolt 3 dock with power delivery (sometimes called laptop charging capability) and Mac compatibility. There are good solutions from StarTech, OWC, Plugable, CableMatters, and others that will suit. I have used CableMatters and StarTech docks to drive 2 external 4k displays.


see: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250342057?answerId=250646874022#250646874022



Connecting Macbook to 2 external monitors

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