Apple’s MacBook Pro can be connected to as many as four monitors, although it does depend on the notebook model and the resolution of the displays. Regardless of these differences, all MacBook Pro laptops can connect to at least one additional display, providing a way to expand on the amount of available screen real estate.
There are a variety of reasons why a user might want to connect an additional monitor to their MacBook, although increasing the usable space is likely to be the most common. This extra monitor can then be used to mirror the original display — a good option for those times when users want to see more content at once, or their normal screen in greater detail. Alternatively, additional monitors can be used to extend the desktop. In this mode, the displays don’t mirror the original but add further desktop space to the MacBook Pro. This is especially great for multi-tasking when users need to run multiple apps at once.
According to Apple, a MacBook Pro can be connected to up to four displays using the Thunderbolt and HDMI ports on the laptop. However, there are some variables involved here, including the MacBook model. If using a MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip, then maximizing four monitors is possible — including up to three 6K monitors (including Apple’s ProDisplay XDR) and another 4K monitor, all set at 60Hz. Apple used to have a lot of resolution restrictions with older MacBook Pro models, but things are dramatically simplified with its M1 chips. So long as someone has a MacBook Pro powered by M1 Max — whether it’s the 14 or 16-inch variant — the above monitor support works without a hitch.
Connecting Monitors To Less Powerful MacBook Pro Models
That said, external monitor support is different for MacBook Pros with lesser chips. If someone has a MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro processor, they can only use up to two external displays at up to 6K resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. Just like above, this applies to the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro. If it has an M1 Pro chip, you’ll only be able to use up to two external monitors at once.
And, last but not least, there’s the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the baseline M1 chip. This is the least powerful MacBook Pro currently available, and as expected, it has the most limited external monitor support. Apple says this version of the MacBook Pro supports just one external monitor using one of the available Thunderbolt ports. That’s probably too limited for a professional who needs multiple monitors, but for those users, they’re probably already looking at the M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pros anyway. Regardless, keeping track of MacBook Pro monitor compatibility has never been easier. Want to use up to four external monitors at once? Get a MacBook Pro with M1 Max. M1 Pro MacBook Pros work with up to two monitors, and the 13-inch model with the standard M1 chip supports a single monitor.
Source: Apple
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