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lindseybp

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 17, 2012
83
84
I currently use two hp 24" monitors with my 2017 MBP provided by my work. I see Best Buy has the base M1 MBA for $749 and I'm thinking about jumping on it. But I need to be able to output to two monitors. I'm assuming this won't be a problem with the M1 MBA and I would just need to get a dongle of some kinds since it only has two usb c ports? I'm assuming the M1 MBA will be a big processor upgrade over my dual core i5 also. The main need from the MBA will be logging in via Cisco app to my Remote Desktop on my company's server so I don't think it will be doing any heavy lifting as that should be done on the company server via my virtual desktop.
 
The Mac Mini is the only M1 product that supports two external monitors - the laptops only support 1, as the internal monitor counts as 1 regardless of whether it is closed or not.

There are workarounds (search for display link adapter M1 Mac), but there are downsides as it isn't going to be as responsive and it is going to require another usb connection (on a MBA that means some sort of usb-c or thunderbolt hub also)

If you do not need to be portable, the base M1 Mac Mini is on the refurb store for $589

 
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Thanks for the info. Did not know "official" support was 1 monitor. Would the M1 MBP "officially" support 2 monitors?
 
Thanks for the info. Did not know "official" support was 1 monitor. Would the M1 MBP "officially" support 2 monitors?
No - MBP is limited also - it was a big sticking point for many people who wanted to upgrade last year.

Rumors say the next gen M1X/M2 will provide that support
 
Thanks for all the info guys. Saved me from a blunder. I think I will hold out for the next gen MBA or MBP, whichever hopefully comes out this fall.
 
Hold your horses fellas. I have M1 MBP and I am able to output to 2 additional FHD screens. Yes, official support is for 1 external display only. But there are ways around this. I use a docking station with DisplayLink driver. You need to install the driver on your mac and then use the dock and it works. It has its disadvantages of course, Night Shift only works on MBP screen and not others, sometimes its a bit twitchy then i plug the dock in my MBP only 1 screen gets picked up so i have to replug and so on... But it works and i see no performance issues and it just works like any other computer with 2 screens. It certainly is good enough for my use case so just getting the info out there. Cheers.
 
Hold your horses fellas. I have M1 MBP and I am able to output to 2 additional FHD screens. Yes, official support is for 1 external display only. But there are ways around this. I use a docking station with DisplayLink driver. You need to install the driver on your mac and then use the dock and it works. It has its disadvantages of course, Night Shift only works on MBP screen and not others, sometimes its a bit twitchy then i plug the dock in my MBP only 1 screen gets picked up so i have to replug and so on... But it works and i see no performance issues and it just works like any other computer with 2 screens. It certainly is good enough for my use case so just getting the info out there. Cheers.
......I believe all what you said was already mentioned
 
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