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Resolved Issues connecting 2019 15" MacBook Pro to two 1440p 34.14" Dell ultrawide monitors

JayAgostino

JayAgostino

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 13, 2020
267
232
Massachusetts
What is the procedure to connect my MacBook Pro to two Dell UltraSharp 34 Curved USB-C Monitor: U3419W? I think that I'm missing something.
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Either connect two USB C cables from the monitors to your Macbook Pro which also provides 90 Watts of Power delivery or get two USB C to DisplayPort cables and connect them or get a ThunderBolt 3 Dock and connect the monitors to the dock and the dock through 1 Thunderbolt 3 cable to your Macbook Pro. The first option is the cheapest.
 
ivanzud said:
Either connect two USB C cables from the monitors to your Macbook Pro which also provides 90 Watts of Power delivery or get two USB C to DisplayPort cables and connect them or get a ThunderBolt 3 Dock and connect the monitors to the dock and the dock through 1 Thunderbolt 3 cable to your Macbook Pro. The first option is the cheapest.
Click to expand...
Well I tried connecting 2 USB-C cables. My question is does one end have to be HDMI and the other USB-C?
 
JayAgostino said:
Well I tried connecting 2 USB-C cables. My question is does one end have to be HDMI and the other USB-C?
Click to expand...

There are USB-C cables that are power only. You need to make sure the USB-C cables support data.

I had issues with connecting two external USB-C displays, using a variety of USB-C cables. One or both displays kept dropping out. I finally switched one monitor to a USB-C to DisplayPort cable and I no longer have that issue.
 
rjschave said:
There are USB-C cables that are power only. You need to make sure the USB-C cables support data.

I had issues with connecting two external USB-C displays, using a variety of USB-C cables. One or both displays kept dropping out. I finally switched one monitor to a USB-C to DisplayPort cable and I no longer have that issue.
Click to expand...
Should I buy this USB-C to HDMI cable?

Platinum™ 6' USB C to 4K HDMI Cable for MacBook, Chromebook or Laptops with a USB C Port Gray PT-PCCXHDMI6 - Best Buy

Shop Platinum™ 6' USB C to 4K HDMI Cable for MacBook, Chromebook or Laptops with a USB C Port Gray products at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.
www.bestbuy.com
 
JayAgostino said:
Should I buy this USB-C to HDMI cable?

Platinum™ 6' USB C to 4K HDMI Cable for MacBook, Chromebook or Laptops with a USB C Port Gray PT-PCCXHDMI6 - Best Buy

Shop Platinum™ 6' USB C to 4K HDMI Cable for MacBook, Chromebook or Laptops with a USB C Port Gray products at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.
www.bestbuy.com
Click to expand...

I’m sure that USB-C to HDMI cable will work. I recommend you use a USB-C to USB-C cable between the laptop and one of the monitors. This monitor will output 90 watts on the USB-C connection which is enough to charge the laptop. If you connect the laptop to this monitor using the USB-C to USB-C cable you will not also have to use the AC adapter to charge/power the laptop.

This monitor includes a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box. I’m assuming you tried this cable and it didn’t work?
 
rjschave said:
I’m sure that USB-C to HDMI cable will work. I recommend you use a USB-C to USB-C cable between the laptop and one of the monitors. This monitor will output 90 watts on the USB-C connection which is enough to charge the laptop. If you connect the laptop to this monitor using the USB-C to USB-C cable you will not also have to use the AC adapter to charge/power the laptop.

This monitor includes a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box. I’m assuming you tried this cable and it didn’t work?
Click to expand...
When I tried connecting USB-C to USB-C cables with both monitors, only one of the monitors displayed the screen.

I was thinking of using the USB-C to HDMI cable to connect it to one of the monitors and then use the USB-C to USB-C cable to connect it to the other monitor. Would that work out?
 
JayAgostino said:
When I tried connecting USB-C to USB-C cables with both monitors, only one of the monitors displayed the screen.

I was thinking of using the USB-C to HDMI cable to connect it to one of the monitors and then use the USB-C to USB-C cable to connect it to the other monitor. Would that work out?
Click to expand...

That setup should work. My setup is USB-C to USB-C for one monitor and USB-C to DisplayPort for the other.

You may want to test both USB-C cables and both monitors, one at a time, just to make sure they are not defective.
 
JayAgostino said:
Is there any difference between DisplayPort and HDMI?
Click to expand...

This monitor supports HDMI 2.0. HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort both support 4K at 60Hz. So there is probably no difference. My general rule of thumb is to choose DisplayPort over HDMI if it’s an option.

I’d love your feedback after you’ve used the dual 34” setup for a while. I have the 38” model. Two of those would be too much :)
 
JayAgostino said:
Out of curiosity, why?
Click to expand...

Older versions of the HDMI spec had a slower refresh rate. DisplayPort allows for the daisy chaining of monitors (although this won’t work for you as you’re using USB-C on one end).

For me, DisplayPort has become the defacto standard for computer displays and I think of HDMI for TVs.

Again, USB-C to HDMI will likely work just fine for you.
 
I've set mine up like so:

Main monitor Usb C cable to MacBook Pro
Second Monitor - Display port into Main monitor and USB C to MacBook Pro

Works absolutely fine, daisy chains the two monitors and the two individual USB Cs power out the screens. I switch between a windows 10 (work) and personal MBP with the windows 10 machine I only use the usb c cable from the main monitor but when using the MBP I need both USB C cables.

If you want it just for a MBP you can skip the daisy chaining and just have two usb c cables going from monitors into MBP
 
simont90 said:
I've set mine up like so:

Main monitor Usb C cable to MacBook Pro
Second Monitor - Display port into Main monitor and USB C to MacBook Pro

Works absolutely fine, daisy chains the two monitors and the two individual USB Cs power out the screens. I switch between a windows 10 (work) and personal MBP with the windows 10 machine I only use the usb c cable from the main monitor but when using the MBP I need both USB C cables.

If you want it just for a MBP you can skip the daisy chaining and just have two usb c cables going from monitors into MBP
Click to expand...
I ended up buying this cable.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/platin...k-or-laptops-with-a-usb-c-port-gray/6367410.p

I’ll pick it up today and tell you how it is.
 
JayAgostino said:
I ended up buying this cable.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/platin...k-or-laptops-with-a-usb-c-port-gray/6367410.p

I’ll pick it up today and tell you how it is.
Click to expand...
I picked up the cable earlier today, but I’ll test it tomorrow.
1592522808623.jpeg
 
I have succeeded in linking my MacBook Pro to two monitors by using one USB-C to USB-C cable and the other cable being USB-C to HDMI. Both monitors are now fully operational.

@rjschave, is there a way to mirror the dock on both monitors without checking the "mirror displays" box?
 
JayAgostino said:
I have succeeded in linking my MacBook Pro to two monitors by using one USB-C to USB-C cable and the other cable being USB-C to HDMI. Both monitors are now fully operational.

@rjschave, is there a way to mirror the dock on both monitors without checking the "mirror displays" box?
Click to expand...

How did you do the set up? USB C to C between monitors & HDMI to USB C into MacBook?
 
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