M4 Pro Macbook Pro : 3+ External Monitors Possible?

[Mity]

What exactly prevents the M4 Pro Macbook Pro from connecting 3 external monitors with the lid closed? Is it basically an artificial limitation implemented via software or is it a hardware one? If it's hardware, why does the M4 Pro Mac mini support 3 external displays?

And does anyone know how to get 3+ external monitor support from an M4 Pro Macbook Pro? My understanding is that this is possible using a dock using DisplayLink. Anyone here using such a docking station?

I came across the Plugable TBT-6950PD on Amazon but I don't see a review mentioning usage in an M4 Pro MBP. The description does state that "Mac computers will support up to 4x extended displays (Base model M3 Macs need to be in “clamshell mode” for 4x displays)."

And this Kensington SD5910T also claims up to 4 with the lid closed.

If you have any experience with these or others, please share!

 

[vanc]

This video should have a lot of information about the external monitor support. At this timestamp, the creator tested with an Anker 563 USB-C hub which supports DisplayLink and he could get 6 4K external monitors working. He tested with a M4 max MBP. For M4 pro, I believe you could get up to 4 external monitors with DisplayLink. Officially, only 2 external monitors are supported with M4 Pro.

 

[benwiggy]

I suspect that even when closed, the OS is still prepared for the possibility that you might open the MBP's lid, and so there will be some resources set aside for the internal.

 

[ashman70]

What exactly prevents the M4 Pro Macbook Pro from connecting 3 external monitors with the lid closed? Is it basically an artificial limitation implemented via software or is it a hardware one? If it's hardware, why does the M4 Pro Mac mini support 3 external displays?

And does anyone know how to get 3+ external monitor support from an M4 Pro Macbook Pro? My understanding is that this is possible using a dock using DisplayLink. Anyone here using such a docking station?

I came across the Plugable TBT-6950PD on Amazon but I don't see a review mentioning usage in an M4 Pro MBP. The description does state that "Mac computers will support up to 4x extended displays (Base model M3 Macs need to be in “clamshell mode” for 4x displays)."

And this Kensington SD5910T also claims up to 4 with the lid closed.

If you have any experience with these or others, please share!

I am actually using the Plugable UD-6950PDZ dock with my M4 14 inch MBP. I have three external 28 inch 4K monitors and it works perfectly with the lid closed using the display link software.