Late 2016 15" MBP: Three External Displays?

[mbrannon47]

After spending a good deal of time scouring Google and the MacRumors forums, it seems that the Late 2016 15" MacBook Pro might only support two external displays, but here's where it seems to get confusing:

As Andrew Cunningham at Ars Technica explains, AMD's Polaris-based Radeon Pro 450, Radeon Pro 455, and built-to-order Radeon Pro 460 GPUs in the new 15-inch MacBook Pro support up to six displays, whereas Intel's integrated GPUs affixed to the logic board can drive a total of three displays.

The expanded support enables the new MacBook Pro to drive two of Apple and LG's new UltraFine 5K displays at 60Hz simultaneously. (Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/14/late-2016-mbp-amd-gpus-support-dual-5k-displays/)​

Can anyone confirm the maximum number of supported displays for the out-of-the-box Late 2016 15" MacBook Pro? The goal over here is to run three external 4K displays, but it'd be great to know precisely what limitations to expect, even if that means using external devices or adapters.

 

[Creep89]

You have to differ between 4K and 5K screens. 5K screens are to put it simply in fact two screens for the MacBook. You see one screen but internally the MacBook sees two displays. Therefore only 2x 5K screens can be attached to the 15" MBP.

But you are interested in 4K screens so this does not apply to you. You can attach 3x 4K screens for example with USB-C to DisplayPort cables.

 

[mbrannon47]

You have to differ between 4K and 5K screens. 5K screens are to put it simply in fact two screens for the MacBook. You see one screen but internally the MacBook sees two displays. Therefore only 2x 5K screens can be attached to the 15" MBP.

But you are interested in 4K screens so this does not apply to you. You can attach 3x 4K screens for example with USB-C to DisplayPort cables.

Fantastic. Thank you for taking the time to reply!

 

[iNewbie]

You have to differ between 4K and 5K screens. 5K screens are to put it simply in fact two screens for the MacBook. You see one screen but internally the MacBook sees two displays. Therefore only 2x 5K screens can be attached to the 15" MBP.

But you are interested in 4K screens so this does not apply to you. You can attach 3x 4K screens for example with USB-C to DisplayPort cables.

Can you attach 1 5k and 2 4k screens? 3 external screens... just different types?

Thanks

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

After spending a good deal of time scouring Google and the MacRumors forums, it seems that the Late 2016 15" MacBook Pro might only support two external displays, but here's where it seems to get confusing:

As Andrew Cunningham at Ars Technica explains, AMD's Polaris-based Radeon Pro 450, Radeon Pro 455, and built-to-order Radeon Pro 460 GPUs in the new 15-inch MacBook Pro support up to six displays, whereas Intel's integrated GPUs affixed to the logic board can drive a total of three displays.

The expanded support enables the new MacBook Pro to drive two of Apple and LG's new UltraFine 5K displays at 60Hz simultaneously. (Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/14/late-2016-mbp-amd-gpus-support-dual-5k-displays/)​

Can anyone confirm the maximum number of supported displays for the out-of-the-box Late 2016 15" MacBook Pro? The goal over here is to run three external 4K displays, but it'd be great to know precisely what limitations to expect, even if that means using external devices or adapters.

Here's that set up on reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/macsetups/comments/5exhfv/macbook_pro_w_touch_bar_and_3_x_applelg_4k/

 

[jimthing]

For maxed-out 15" MBP 2016... questions sill remain.
The 15" supports 6 display lanes max, with 1 being for the internal screen, so that leaves 5. So...

With 2x LG 5K's already plugged-in (1 to each side of the MBP), each one taking 2 lanes, that leaves 1 lane remaining. So can you do any of the following:

1) Additionally plug another (1080p / 1440p / 4K UHD, 3880x2160 / 4K wide, 4096x2160) display directly into the MBP (with an appropriate cable/adaptor, obviously)?

or

2) Additionally plug another (1080p / 1440p / 4K UHD, 3880x2160 / 4K wide, 4096x2160) display into one of the LG 5K's USB 3.1 5Gbps ports (with an appropriate cable/adaptor, obviously)?

Anyone have any idea?