Connecting two external 4K monitors to MacBook Pro M3

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perry2012 Author

Level 1

18 points

Connecting two external 4K monitors to MacBook Pro M3

I have an MacBook Pro 14" November 2023, Apple M3 chip, 16 GB memory, version 26.1, Built-in Retina XDR Display, 1 TB SSD.

Is there a way I can run two 27" external 4k monitors (5k when price comes down), preferably with MacBook open but not a requirement (three screens)?

I have looked at a series of hubs & docking stations, but I am not sure if what I would like to do is even possible. Any guidance you could provide would be appreciated.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Dec 14, 2025 8:27 AM

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Answer 1

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Servant of Cats

Level 7

34,337 points

Dec 14, 2025 10:01 AM in response to perry2012

If that MBP has a plain M3 chip, you cannot use two external displays and the built-in screen at the same time. You will need to close the lid if you want to drive two external displays.

Use dual monitors with your MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M3 chip - Apple Support

A MBP with a M3 Pro or M3 Max chip would not have that limitation.

You may be able to drive two 4K monitors off a single Thunderbolt (not USB-C( dock. But with 5K monitors, you will probably need to connect each to a different host port or Thunderbolt dock, due to the high bandwidth demands of 5K video.

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