2011 Air running two Thunderbolt displays

[QuaziModo]

Curiously I can't seem to find this answered. Other than assumptions and 'comments' that integrated chipsets can't run multiple displays from random sources. Apple doco suggests it can run a 2560*1600 display but no mention of daisy chained Thunderbolt ones.

This isn't a big issue for me as I've just ordered the 11" Ultimate and a single Thunderbolt display but I'd at least like the option later on

 

[alust2013]

I don't believe TB can handle two displays with res of over 1920x1200

 

[QuaziModo]

My search fail

Sorry guys I did a completely different search and I found some comments but again no definitive answers.

So I'll close my thread/question by conceding to live with a single 27" external display

 

[Titanium81]

Sorry guys I did a completely different search and I found some comments but again no definitive answers.

So I'll close my thread/question by conceding to live with a single 27" external display

The 15" MBP can, I wonder what the difference is?

 

[axu539]

The Intel HD3000 can only drive a maximum of 2 displays (the internal one and an external).

 

[Titanium81]

The Intel HD3000 can only drive a maximum of 2 displays (the internal one and an external).

Wow, I did not know that... I guess that makes my decision very easy for BOTH 11" & 13" Airs and the 13" MBP... they simply just wont do.

 

[axu539]

Wow, I did not know that... I guess that makes my decision very easy for BOTH 11" & 13" Airs and the 13" MBP... they simply just wont do.

If you're the kind of user who needs 2 cinema displays, the processing power in those machines probably wasn't sufficient anyway. A 15" quad core will be a very nice beast for you.

 

[seepel]

If you're the kind of user who needs 2 cinema displays, the processing power in those machines probably wasn't sufficient anyway. A 15" quad core will be a very nice beast for you.

I do software development and a MBA plus 2 cinema displays would work great for me!

 

[axu539]

I do software development and a MBA plus 2 cinema displays would work great for me!

Ah I guess I forgot about software development. In that case, you really might consider using an 11" MBA + a more powerful "home base" machine. It shouldn't cost much more than MBA + 2 thunderbolt displays if you get the cheapest 27" iMac + a display to go with that.

 

[sammich]

From the Thunderbolt Display product page:

Connect two Thunderbolt Displays to a 15- or 17-inch MacBook Pro or to an iMac and put an extra 7 million pixels to work.

Note how specific they are. Not even the 13" MBP can do it.

 

[technopimp]

From the Thunderbolt Display product page:



Note how specific they are. Not even the 13" MBP can do it.

The 13" only has the HD3000 and not a separate discrete graphics card. What I'm wondering is can the new Mini with the Radeon card drive 2 Thunderbolt displays (I don't see why not, but who knows).

 

[Michael CM1]

Can the new MBA run that 27.5" Thunderbolt display at its native resolution? I've got a 21.5" iMac that does 1920x1080, and I know the 27" display has an even higher resolution. I never saw anything about that in info about the new MBA or display.

 

[sammich]

Can the new MBA run that 27.5" Thunderbolt display at its native resolution? I've got a 21.5" iMac that does 1920x1080, and I know the 27" display has an even higher resolution. I never saw anything about that in info about the new MBA or display.

It's all in the specs:

Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors