3x Apple Thunderbolt Display won't be able to connect with MBP 16" M1 Pro or MBP 14" M4

AppleMacGui wrote:

Hi there,

I’m wondering if anyone has successfully connected three Apple Thunderbolt Displays to a MacBook Pro 16” M1 Pro or MacBook Pro 14” M4.

That's not going to work.

A 16" MacBook Pro with a M1 Pro chip supports a maximum of two external displays.

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

A 14" MacBook Pro with a plain M4 chip also supports a maximum of two external displays.

MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4, 2024) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

The specs claim that both models support up to three external monitors, but I haven’t been able to make it work.

Read the specifications again, more carefully.

To attach three external displays to a M1-series Mac notebook, you would need a 14" or 16" MacBook Pro which had a M1 Max chip.

To attach three (or four) displays to a M4-series Mac notebook, you would need a 14" or 16" MacBook Pro which had a M4 Max chip.

TheLittles wrote:

Getting Multiple External Displays:

You docking station is not made to get dual monitors. To do that you need to use two docking stations, or this particular docking station, which allows for dual monitors: The J5 USB-C Dual HDMI Docking Station allows for more than two extra monitors. How so? Well, plug in a display projector the Mac using the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter and then plug the J5 hub with 2 HDMI displays (one 4K), and then you'll have 3 external screens.

That docking station will not allow the OP to connect extra Thunderbolt Displays to either MacBook Pro. For that matter, that docking station will not let OP to connect even one Thunderbolt Display to either MacBook Pro!

The 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display requires Thunderbolt input, which that dock cannot provide.

If the OP wanted to use that dock, the OP would need to get other displays to use with it.

"3x Apple Thunderbolt Display won't be able to connect with MBP 16" M1 Pro or MBP 14" M4"

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Three Thunderbolt Displays:

Reportedly, only 1-2 will connect, depending on the model of your Mac. There are workarounds, but one monitor is actually extended. See the following...

Getting Multiple External Displays:

You docking station is not made to get dual monitors. To do that you need to use two docking stations, or this particular docking station, which allows for dual monitors: The J5 USB-C Dual HDMI Docking Station allows for more than two extra monitors. How so? Well, plug in a display projector the Mac using the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter and then plug the J5 hub with 2 HDMI displays (one 4K), and then you'll have 3 external screens.

Verify the Connection(s):

With all of these displays connected, see if these all even seen in System Information. How to check:

1. Hold Down: the Option key
2. Click: the Apple menu
3. Choose: System Information or System Report
4. Select: Graphics/Displays from the list on the left
5. Look For: these displays

"Hi, thanks for the advice. I just noticed looks like both of the laptop only support up to two external displays."

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You are welcome.

The docking staton is worth a go, if you want to consider it. Doing so myself, just now.