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Is running 3 external displays reliable? (Macbook Pro Retina)

R

ryanschmidt

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 20, 2009
38
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A few years ago I purchased my Mac Pro solely to run 3 displays. I've seen evidence that the new Macbook Pro Retina can run 3 external displays so I am considering the upgrade. It would be the perfect setup for me if it works well.

I have seen videos showing that it's possible (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJhvyLB_Tbw) but I've never seen anyone talk about actually using it this way for an extended period of time.

Has anyone done this reliably? This will be a work machine and 3 displays is essential so I'm trying to get some feedback before pulling the trigger. Thanks!
 
ryanschmidt said:
A few years ago I purchased my Mac Pro solely to run 3 displays. I've seen evidence that the new Macbook Pro Retina can run 3 external displays so I am considering the upgrade. It would be the perfect setup for me if it works well.

I have seen videos showing that it's possible (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJhvyLB_Tbw) but I've never seen anyone talk about actually using it this way for an extended period of time.

Has anyone done this reliably? This will be a work machine and 3 displays is essential so I'm trying to get some feedback before pulling the trigger. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yep it'll be reliable, providing they're all thunderbolt displays (or mini displayport ones at the end).

If you're pushing alot of pixels (like 3 27"s), don't expect amazing performance though. For general office work though, it's fine.
 
Brian Y said:
Yep it'll be reliable, providing they're all thunderbolt displays (or mini displayport ones at the end).

If you're pushing alot of pixels (like 3 27"s), don't expect amazing performance though. For general office work though, it's fine.
Click to expand...

They are not Thunderbolt displays. It's 1 26 and 2 24's that can be connected via DVI or HDMI. My plan was to get 2 DVI -> mDP adapters and a DVI -> HDMI adapter (because I read somewhere that HDMI -> HDMI on the rMBP is fuzzy.

I am not doing any heavy graphics. I'm a software developer/designer so it's just a bunch of text editors and Photoshop.
 
ryanschmidt said:
They are not Thunderbolt displays. It's 1 26 and 2 24's that can be connected via DVI or HDMI. My plan was to get 2 DVI -> mDP adapters and a DVI -> HDMI adapter (because I read somewhere that HDMI -> HDMI on the rMBP is fuzzy.

I am not doing any heavy graphics. I'm a software developer/designer so it's just a bunch of text editors and Photoshop.
Click to expand...

Hmm I forgot about the HDMI port! Should still be fine though :).
 
Thanks Brian! I appreciate the input but I would really like to hear from someone that currently uses this setup. I've done a lot of research (shy of buying one and actually trying it, which is what I'm doing next) and have not found anyone provide any hands-on feedback from their personal experience.

Is anyone using this setup? Could you let me know how it's working for you?
 
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