How do I connect two additional monitors to a MacBook Air M3 using an Alogic 12-in-1 minidock?

I have a macbook Air M3 and am trying to connect 2 additional monitors. I have an Alogic 12 in 1 minic Dock MV2 - the mac is only recognising one other monitor and mirroring on the other...



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Posted on Apr 20, 2025 4:51 PM

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Posted on Apr 20, 2025 7:43 PM

You said that you were using an Alogic 12 in 1 minic [sic] Dock MV2.


ALogic – MV2 USB-C Dual Display DP Alt Mode Docking Station


That's a plain USB-C dock. A Mac only supports attaching one monitor plain USB-C dock, even if the Mac in question can drive multiple external monitors. The manufacturer of the dock refers to this when they say


"With MacOS only a single monitor is supported in extension mode. Multiple monitors are ONLY supported in mirror mode"


To connect two monitors through a single dock, hub, or dual-display adapter, on a Mac that supports having that many external monitors, the dock, hub, or dual-display adapter has to be a Thunderbolt one.

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Apr 20, 2025 7:43 PM in response to Helenamb

You said that you were using an Alogic 12 in 1 minic [sic] Dock MV2.


ALogic – MV2 USB-C Dual Display DP Alt Mode Docking Station


That's a plain USB-C dock. A Mac only supports attaching one monitor plain USB-C dock, even if the Mac in question can drive multiple external monitors. The manufacturer of the dock refers to this when they say


"With MacOS only a single monitor is supported in extension mode. Multiple monitors are ONLY supported in mirror mode"


To connect two monitors through a single dock, hub, or dual-display adapter, on a Mac that supports having that many external monitors, the dock, hub, or dual-display adapter has to be a Thunderbolt one.

Apr 21, 2025 12:32 AM in response to Helenamb

Helenamb wrote:

Thanks - does Thunderbolt adaptor allow for both monitors to be extenders?


A Thunderbolt dock, hub, or dual-display adapter will not let you to use your M3 MacBook Air's screen and two external displays at the same time – if that's what you are asking about. Your M3 MacBook Air's hardware does not support running three displays in extended desktop mode – period.


A Thunderbolt dock, hub, or dual-display adapter that was compatible with your M3 MacBook Air could let you use your two external displays in extended desktop mode with the lid of the laptop closed. (But I would check manufacturer's descriptions, and/or contact their pre-sales support, to confirm that.)


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Another option would be

  • M3 MacBook Air USB-C port #1 <------> dock <------> external monitor #1
  • M3 MacBook Air USB-C port #2 <------> external monitor #2

That would not require Thunderbolt gear because the dock would only be carrying a video signal to one monitor.

Apr 21, 2025 12:50 AM in response to TheLittles

TheLittles wrote:

"How do I connect two additional monitors to a MacBook Air M3 using an Alogic 12-in-1 minidock?: I have a macbook Air M3 and am trying to connect 2 additional monitors. I have an Alogic 12 in 1 minic Dock MV2 - the mac is only recognising one other monitor and mirroring on the other..."
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Getting Multiple External Displays on a Docking Station:

Use a Third-Party Docking Station:
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. It all mirrors and extends. It's more of a workaround, and not so much of a third monitor, being one is extended.


That is a plain USB-C dock, not a Thunderbolt one. According to the manufacturer's description,


"This dual display docking station adds dual HDMI™ monitors, with resolution support up to 4K (3840 x 2160) on one display and up to 2K (2048 x1152) or 1080p on the other display."


To drive two displays from this dock in extended desktop mode, you must install a driver. A diagram appears to indicate that one HDMI output runs off native hardware video output ("DisplayPort Alt Mode required") - while the other HDMI output runs off some workaround technology ("Driver installation required"), with all the compromises that may go along with that.


Presumably with this dock, you could use two external displays and the M3 MacBook Air's screen simultaneously. The built-in screen and the screen connected via DisplayPort Alt Mode would use up all of the M3 MacBook Air's hardware-supported video outputs. The one connected via the workaround would not be using hardware output, and so would not count against the limit.


On a Downloads page, there was a highlighted notice:


Important Driver/Firmware Information:

For users currently using macOS 11 and later, please read this documentation before downloading any driver.


That notice linked here:


J5Create – Important Information on macOS® 11 and later

Apr 20, 2025 11:40 PM in response to Helenamb

"How do I connect two additional monitors to a MacBook Air M3 using an Alogic 12-in-1 minidock?: I have a macbook Air M3 and am trying to connect 2 additional monitors. I have an Alogic 12 in 1 minic Dock MV2 - the mac is only recognising one other monitor and mirroring on the other..."

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Getting Multiple External Displays on a Docking Station:


Use a Third-Party Docking Station:

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. It all mirrors and extends. It's more of a workaround, and not so much of a third monitor, being one is extended.

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How do I connect two additional monitors to a MacBook Air M3 using an Alogic 12-in-1 minidock?

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