M3 MacBook Air Supports Up to Two External Displays With Lid Closed

[MacRumors]

Apple's new MacBook Air models with M3 chip include support for up to two external displays with the laptop lid closed.

The previous generation MacBook Air models with M2 chip, the 13-inch model of which Apple still sells, only officially offer support for one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz.

By contrast, the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models support one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz with the laptop lid open, and two external displays with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz with the lid closed.

Apple announced the two new MacBook Air models today. Pre-orders are now open on Apple's website, with the laptops set to launch on Friday, March 8. Apple today also discontinued the MacBook Air with M1 chip as well as the 15-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip.

Article Link: M3 MacBook Air Supports Up to Two External Displays With Lid Closed

 

[JonnyMacx86]

It's the Mac mini transformer hybrid we've wanted all this time!

 

[nfl46]

Well, it’s become time. Good job, Apple!

 

[hovscorpion12]

Let’s goo!! Now we’re Talking. Finally, after 3 generations, Apple FINNALY solved dual monitor support.

I am speculating that the iPad Pro M3 will have the same.

 

[cardfan]

2 monitors you say? Omg. I didn’t think it was possible. This changes everything.

 

[mystery hill]

The M3 MacBook Air now has better external display support than the M3 MacBook Pro.

 

[brofkand]

How did they figure out such complicated technology? Two external displays...wow!

Maybe next they'll figure out how to do a 1080P webcam without notching the display. But let's not get too crazy!

 

[vertsix]

An improvement, but still not great.

The bottom of the barrel Pavilions at Walmart with Intel Celerys support three displays. It's been a staple on Intel processors for over a decade!

 

[darngooddesign]

Thats very nice change which removes one of the most common complaints about the MBAs.

 

[MayaUser]

Let’s goo!! Now we’re Talking. Finally, after 3 generations, Apple FINNALY solved dual monitor support.

I am speculating that the iPad Pro M3 will have the same.

dont think so...here you have the lid closed to have this support
So the ipad could come with just 1 ext support still

 

[uller6]

Wow this is so exciting! Except I just got an 14" M3 Pro MacBook Pro for work because of the old 1 display limitation! I wanted the 15" MBA instead!

 

[alien3dx]

Let’s goo!! Now we’re Talking. Finally, after 3 generations, Apple FINNALY solved dual monitor support.

I am speculating that the iPad Pro M3 will have the same.

before we try .. m1 + my imac 2017 .. and ipad mini screen.. but wireless extends.. never try crazy enough to link with my apple tv.

but as at now , we confuse ourself how we do it before. haha

 

[brett_x]

Wow, so you have 2 external displays attached... when closed, both work.. but when you open the laptop.. one just stops working? Genius.
I can't imagine there won't be any support calls on that.

 

[darngooddesign]

Unless the iPad moves its home screen to an external display when you turn the screen off, the M3 iPP won’t get this feature.

 

[scrapesleon]

so apple releasing one new product every day this week

 

[hovscorpion12]

dont think so...here you have the lid closed to have this support
So the ipad could come with just 1 ext support still

The iPad Pro comes optional with a Magic Keyboard. This would be required for dual monitor, if Apple chooses to provide this to iPad owners.

 

[nymphe]

I still don't understand the stubbornness on this, but at least I can work with that. However I don't like having the lid closed, because I might use the webcam, trackpad, keyboard and touchID. Can I simply turn off the display like Windows so that I can have 2 external active but the internal one is turned off? This would be asking for too much, right

 

[hovscorpion12]

Unless the iPad moves its home screen to an external display when you turn the screen off, the M3 iPP won’t get this feature.

Magic Keyboard.

 

[rwalle]

The M3 MacBook Air now has better external display support than the M3 MacBook Pro.

That base Macbook Pro model has almost no reason to exist after the introduction of M3 Macbook Air.

 

[Saturn1217]

This is an actual meaningful upgrade! Yay! I wish the M3 Pro chips could do the same (3 displays with lid closed) but I’ll stop being greedy.

 

[hovscorpion12]

That base Macbook Pro model has almost no reason to exist after the introduction of M3 Macbook Air.

Incorrect. The 14” MacBook Pro M3 contains dual fans. power users who notice that the Air is getting warm/hot under heavy load will be an able to purchase the M3 MacBook Pro with fans.

 

[svendobbelaere]

I am speculating that the iPad Pro M3 will have the same.

I doubt it, because from what I can tell you need to use both thunderbolt ports (one per display) of the M3 MacBook Air. So unless the next iPad Pro had more than one Thunderbolt port, doubtful. personally, I’d love 2 or more thunderbolt ports on iPads, but I don’t think Apple will go for that.

Also, the data port on the magic keyboard is way to low data bandwidth to support a display, so again, that’ll need a huge update. I again doubt it’ll happen.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Bring on the iPads

 

[mystery hill]

That base Macbook Pro model has almost no reason to exist after the introduction of M3 Macbook Air.

The base MacBook Pro has a ProMotion 120Hz mini-LED HDR display with 1600 nits peak brightness.

 

[Abazigal]

The base MacBook Pro has a 120Hz mini-LED display with 1600 nits peak brightness.

That and maybe ports, though you really have to value that integrated HDMI port a lot.