Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Advice On Dual Monitors

T

tapupartforpres

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Hello All,

I just received a new MacBook Pro, newest model. I have 2 HDMI monitors (they have VGA,etc but want to use HDMI) and I looked for some adapters, but I have not been able to find the right one. I want 3 monitors using the native monitor as the third with the 2 HDMI monitors. Went to Best Buy and there was nothing that worked.

Thoughts?

Thanks everyone.
 
tapupartforpres said:
Hello All,

I just received a new MacBook Pro, newest model. I have 2 HDMI monitors (they have VGA,etc but want to use HDMI) and I looked for some adapters, but I have not been able to find the right one. I want 3 monitors using the native monitor as the third with the 2 HDMI monitors. Went to Best Buy and there was nothing that worked.

Thoughts?

Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...

I use a product called "Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dual HDMI adapter". It has worked very well. Connects two HDMI cables into 1 Thunderbolt 3 port. It is also one of the few that allow you to have each screen showing different material. Some of the less expensive models allow only "mirroring" of the displays. Was around $80 on Amazon. Have been happy with it so far. Then you can leave your laptop open and have the three screens you require. Good luck.
 
What is wrong with two USB-C to HDMI dongles? That is what I have at home for my same setup.
I have combination of Apple dongle and StartTech.com CDPVGDHDBP (that is product name???) and with 2017 MBP do not have single issue. The StarTech has advantage, that it has either VGA, DVI or HDMI, but no power through; Apple dongle has USB-C through (power through), HDMI and USB-A out. Two dongles, three screens. It is flexible.
 
Honza1 said:
What is wrong with two USB-C to HDMI dongles? That is what I have at home for my same setup.
I have combination of Apple dongle and StartTech.com CDPVGDHDBP (that is product name???) and with 2017 MBP do not have single issue. The StarTech has advantage, that it has either VGA, DVI or HDMI, but no power through; Apple dongle has USB-C through (power through), HDMI and USB-A out. Two dongles, three screens. It is flexible.
Click to expand...
For me personally, I have two machines, my work supplied Lenovo, and then my personal photography use MacBook Pro, it honestly is a pain to constantly have to swap out wires between the two machines. I have two USB-C to HDMI dongles, but honestly it looks messy and would be a lot easier with a dock system.
 
I've been strongly considering a 34 (or even 38) inch widescreen for work, perhaps even the kind that has a built-in screen splitter to create a phantom two-moniter setup in the same chassis. I use the mac os virtual desktop function a lot. You can run multiple desktops, per screen. Move the pointer to the screen then swipe.
I use the Apple BT keyboard and trackpad at work for the increased flexibility the swipe gestures offer.
[doublepost=1534875205][/doublepost]
Painter2002 said:
For me personally, I have two machines, my work supplied Lenovo, and then my personal photography use MacBook Pro, it honestly is a pain to constantly have to swap out wires between the two machines. I have two USB-C to HDMI dongles, but honestly it looks messy and would be a lot easier with a dock system.
Click to expand...
Which dongle(s)?
You may try mounting the whole setup in such a way (that looks clean) to where you only have to plug the USB-C into the laptop.

Perhaps some of that double sided foam tape on the back of the desk, connections to each monitor, with the extra wrapped up, again behind the desk, then just the one USB-C cable laying on the desk, where it can easily be reached.

Only you would know about the spaghetti nightmare and at least you don't see it 😀
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Painter2002
Painter2002 said:
This actually is something that just came out from Caldigit, which has a pretty good reputation for the products. I personally am looking at getting at one of these as it supports dual extended monitor through (not just mirrored displays like many cheaper ones), and it's only about $120. The other docks I've been looking at that do similar can easily cost over $200.

https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/20/caldigit-thunderbolt-3-mini-dock-review/
Click to expand...
Only downside though is I don't think that one does power pass-through.
 
Painter2002 said:
No it does not, but unfortunately I can't afford the $200 ones that do have pass through power, like the Caldigit TS3 Plus.
Click to expand...

More like $300 for the TS3+, though I hear it is really nice. I'm considering it, but again the price tag is kinda steep. Though for something I'd be using for 4+ years that adds the convenience of single-cable attachment? Hmm...

Random thought regarding your shared monitor(s) -- do they support both displayport and HDMI? Can you use DP for one computer and HDMi for the other perhaps?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Painter2002
deeddawg said:
More like $300 for the TS3+, though I hear it is really nice. I'm considering it, but again the price tag is kinda steep. Though for something I'd be using for 4+ years that adds the convenience of single-cable attachment? Hmm...

Random thought regarding your shared monitor(s) -- do they support both displayport and HDMI? Can you use DP for one computer and HDMi for the other perhaps?
Click to expand...
Since the dock is something that would be usable for years to come (until USB-C becomes a legacy port), I would say it is worth the $300. Just not in the budget at the moment. Lol.

I was using two HDMI to USB-C cables for my Mac, and then using DisplayPort adaptors for my work machine, but I was just provided a new work machine that messes up that wire setup I used to have, so if I have to buy new cables. If I am buying cables again I might as well look into a dock setup so I don't have to keep buying more cables every time the hardware changes.
[doublepost=1534878803][/doublepost]
danpass said:
Which dongle(s)?
You may try mounting the whole setup in such a way (that looks clean) to where you only have to plug the USB-C into the laptop.

Perhaps some of that double sided foam tape on the back of the desk, connections to each monitor, with the extra wrapped up, again behind the desk, then just the one USB-C cable laying on the desk, where it can easily be reached.

Only you would know about the spaghetti nightmare and at least you don't see it 😀
Click to expand...
I have four different dongles coming from my monitor setup (two different ones for each of my two computers), and I had it as neat as I could but it would be nice for it to be tidied up a little more.
 
Painter2002 said:
Since the dock is something that would be usable for years to come (until USB-C becomes a legacy port), I would say it is worth the $300. Just not in the budget at the moment. Lol.
Click to expand...
I was partly working on talking myself into to one too actually... 🙂

I have four different dongles coming from my monitor setup (two different ones for each of my two computers), and I had it as neat as I could but it would be nice for it to be tidied up a little more.
Click to expand...
Look into self-wrapping cable sleeves such as this: https://www.amazon.com/Braided-Sleeving-0-500-ft-Black/dp/B004UHQMYW
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
  • Like
Reactions: Painter2002
Painter2002 said:
This actually is something that just came out from Caldigit, which has a pretty good reputation for the products. I personally am looking at getting at one of these as it supports dual extended monitor through (not just mirrored displays like many cheaper ones), and it's only about $120. The other docks I've been looking at that do similar can easily cost over $200.

https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/20/caldigit-thunderbolt-3-mini-dock-review/
Click to expand...


I like this one. I forgot to mention that I need a USB port for an external keyboard and mouse. This one looks good. Thanks Painter
 
  • Like
Reactions: Painter2002
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back