mac studio to 2x 4k monitor? best way to connect?

[gagaliya]

Hi, plan to purchase the m1 max mac studio and connect it to 2x 4k monitor (not apple monitor, too expensive), with the minimum amount of wire. I am still using my iMac from 10 year ago so bit out of touch with all the new cabling tech.

Can someone confirm this will work as I need to select monitors that support it.

Mac studio -> 1x thunderbolt cable -> 4k display -> 1x thunderbolt cable -> 4k display

So basically i need to purchase 4k monitor that has 2x thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports, is this all? do you see any issues with this connection setup

thanks

 

[MK500]

Or maybe one of these? Many 4K displays use DisplayPort:

OWC Thunderbolt USB-C to Dual DisplayPort for up to 2 x 4K, 5K, or 8K

Easily add up to two 4K, 5K, or 8K displays via Thunderbolt USB-C and have more desktop space for increased productivity, immersive gaming, and more

eshop.macsales.com

 

[Boil]

Hi, plan to purchase the m1 max mac studio and connect it to 2x 4k monitor (not apple monitor, too expensive), with the minimum amount of wire. I am still using my iMac from 10 year ago so bit out of touch with all the new cabling tech.

Can someone confirm this will work as I need to select monitors that support it.

Mac studio -> 1x thunderbolt cable -> 4k display -> 1x thunderbolt cable -> 4k display

So basically i need to purchase 4k monitor that has 2x thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports, is this all? do you see any issues with this connection setup

Or maybe one of these? Many 4K displays use DisplayPort:

OWC Thunderbolt USB-C to Dual DisplayPort for up to 2 x 4K, 5K, or 8K

Easily add up to two 4K, 5K, or 8K displays via Thunderbolt USB-C and have more desktop space for increased productivity, immersive gaming, and more

eshop.macsales.com

Why not just use one TB>DisplayPort cable per monitor, each plugged into a TB4/USB4 port on the Mac Studio,no need to daisy-chain or use a third-party adapter...?

 

[troop231]

Ordered two of these cables to use with the Mac Studio and two Dell U2718Q monitors:

Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Cable (USB-C to DisplayPort Cable, USB C to DP Cable) Supporting 8K 60Hz in Black 6 ft - Thunderbolt 4 /USB4 /Thunderbolt 3 Compatible with MacBook Pro Dell XPS

Experience Vivid 4K Video over DisplayPort The Cable Matters USB Type-C to DisplayPort Cable supports the newest release computers and smartphones with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 up to 4K 60Hz UHD display monitors with DisplayPort. Experience the vibrant video and authentic audio supported by monitor...

www.amazon.com

 

[sparkie7]

Or maybe one of these? Many 4K displays use DisplayPort:

OWC Thunderbolt USB-C to Dual DisplayPort for up to 2 x 4K, 5K, or 8K

Easily add up to two 4K, 5K, or 8K displays via Thunderbolt USB-C and have more desktop space for increased productivity, immersive gaming, and more

eshop.macsales.com

Link doesn't work

 

[sparkie7]

Why not just use one TB>DisplayPort cable per monitor, each plugged into a TB4/USB4 port on the Mac Studio,no need to daisy-chain or use a third-party adapter...?

Which one, link?

 

[troop231]

Which one, link?

See my message above? Post #4

 

[sparkie7]

See my message above? Post #4

Ok, don't think that will work with a ACD 30"

 

[troop231]

Ok, don't think that will work with a ACD 30"

You're in the wrong thread, this is for dual 4K monitors. (I did see your other thread by the way)

 

[gagaliya]

Why not just use one TB>DisplayPort cable per monitor, each plugged into a TB4/USB4 port on the Mac Studio,no need to daisy-chain or use a third-party adapter...?

the problem is I need to also plug my window gaming pc into one of those monitors. So that takes up a DisplayPort on the monitor, as gsync is only supported via DisplayPort.

This is actually lot harder than I expected, I can’t find many 27” gaming monitors that have thunderbolt ports or multiple displayport. They all seem to only have 1 DisplayPort and no thunderbolt ports. Except the ones with $1000+ price tags.

 

[phpmaven]

Ordered two of these cables to use with the Mac Studio and two Dell U2718Q monitors:

Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Cable (USB-C to DisplayPort Cable, USB C to DP Cable) Supporting 8K 60Hz in Black 6 ft - Thunderbolt 4 /USB4 /Thunderbolt 3 Compatible with MacBook Pro Dell XPS

Experience Vivid 4K Video over DisplayPort The Cable Matters USB Type-C to DisplayPort Cable supports the newest release computers and smartphones with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 up to 4K 60Hz UHD display monitors with DisplayPort. Experience the vibrant video and authentic audio supported by monitor...

www.amazon.com

I don’t know if you’re buying those new, but they seem way overpriced. I have three of these and I love them.

SAMSUNG Gaming Monitor

The Samsung 28-Inch UE570 UHD 4K Gaming Monitor (LU28E570DS/ZA) delivers a stunningly beautiful 4K Ultra HD view of everything you watch, play and read. Use this monitor at home or at work to help you accomplish everything with a sharper viewing angle. Plus, you'll have the advanced power and per...

www.amazon.com

 

[troop231]

I don’t know if you’re buying those new, but they seem way overpriced. I have three of these and I love them.

SAMSUNG Gaming Monitor

The Samsung 28-Inch UE570 UHD 4K Gaming Monitor (LU28E570DS/ZA) delivers a stunningly beautiful 4K Ultra HD view of everything you watch, play and read. Use this monitor at home or at work to help you accomplish everything with a sharper viewing angle. Plus, you'll have the advanced power and per...

www.amazon.com

The U2718Q's have been discontinued for awhile, I've had them for a few years. I debadged them/removed Dell logo and they look so good with the thin bezels!

 

[Fozziebear40]

I have 2 LG 27UP850-W monitors connected to my Mac mini 2018 connected with TB>HDMI cables, run great. I, like you, needed a DisplayPort free for my PC on the left monitor and a HDMI on the right monitor for PS5. The monitors have USB-C as well. I am hoping to just swap out to the Studio if I decide to upgrade using same cables.

 

[gagaliya]

I have 2 LG 27UP850-W monitors connected to my Mac mini 2018 connected with TB>HDMI cables, run great. I, like you, needed a DisplayPort free for my PC on the left monitor and a HDMI on the right monitor for PS5. The monitors have USB-C as well. I am hoping to just swap out to the Studio if I decide to upgrade using same cables.

View attachment 1970502

Nice clean setup! Yeah I saw this one, sadly it only support amd freesync not nvdia gysnc, also refresh rate is limited to 60.

 

[Akapplefan]

I have 2 Dell S2722QE monitors that i am planning on connecting to my Mac Studio.

How would you connect this?

 

[Abbas]

It's time to ascend

Have the Samsung 49-inch G9 (not the neo) with one DP connected to my Mac and the other DP connected to my Windows machine. It has the equivalent resolution and size of two monitors next to each other and it is glorious. Supports GSync and HDR. You can also do PIP with half the screen showing Windows and the other half showing Mac. And with Logitech Flow, it all flows smoothly with one keyboard and mouse.

 

[enricoclaudio]

I have 2 x LG 32UN880-B and I use USB-C input in both of them. The LG 32UN880-B comes with USB-C and DisplayPort cables. With the Mac Studio you only need to use 2 of the 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports for the two monitors then you have 2 spare ports for other peripherals.

 

[Akapplefan]

I have 2 x LG 32UN880-B and I use USB-C input in both of them. The LG 32UN880-B comes with USB-C and DisplayPort cables. With the Mac Studio you only need to use 2 of the 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports for the two monitors then you have 2 spare ports for other peripherals.

But if doing this will you get to use both displays independently?

When I connected these same monitors to my anker dock both usb c to thunderbolt (anker dock has two thunderbolt ports) it would just mirror the same image on both screens.

 

[Akapplefan]

So would I need the OWC dual DisplayPort adapter to connect both monitors (HDMI to HDMI on the dongle) x 2. then connect the dongle to the thunderbolt port?

Or can I just connect the monitors USB C to thunderbolt for each?

 

[MK500]

the problem is I need to also plug my window gaming pc into one of those monitors. So that takes up a DisplayPort on the monitor, as gsync is only supported via DisplayPort.

This is actually lot harder than I expected, I can’t find many 27” gaming monitors that have thunderbolt ports or multiple displayport. They all seem to only have 1 DisplayPort and no thunderbolt ports. Except the ones with $1000+ price tags.

I don't think it's very hard. There is no need to find a display with thunderbolt (it's best not to). Just get a regular 4K gaming display with MULTIPLE inputs (almost all do). Then purchase the dongles you need to whatever connection you wish the Mac to use.

You could, for example, connect the two displays to the Mac with HDMI using two USB-C to HDMI adapters that supports the resolution and frame rate you require. Or a single dual display adapter. Just make sure it has the appropriate specifications.

Actually if using HDMI you could even use the built in HDMI port for one of the displays as long as you are OK with the frame rate.

Then you will have additional ports on the monitor available for your gaming PC or PS5 or whatever.

In general I would avoid buying "thunderbolt" displays unless you ONLY plan on using them with a Mac. Normal displays support many standard connectors. Best bet for future-proof is to make sure each display has at least one DisplayPort connection and one HDMI 2.1 (not 2.0) connection.

 

[Akapplefan]

I think this is the adapter I would require:

OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Display Adapter with DisplayLink

Easily add two HDMI displays up to 4K to any Apple M1, M2, M3, M4 Mac or computer with a USB-C or Thunderbolt port. Includes a 1-year OWC warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

would plug:
monitor 1:
hdmi to hdmi to this adapter

monitor 2:
hdmi to hdmi to this adapter

would that work?

Or can I just skip the adapter entirely and just plug each monitor:

USB C to thunderbolt port (on Mac studio)
USB C to thunderbolt port (on Mac studio)


Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[PianoPro]

I think this is the adapter I would require:

OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Display Adapter with DisplayLink

Easily add two HDMI displays up to 4K to any Apple M1, M2, M3, M4 Mac or computer with a USB-C or Thunderbolt port. Includes a 1-year OWC warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

would plug:
monitor 1:
hdmi to hdmi to this adapter

monitor 2:
hdmi to hdmi to this adapter

would that work?

Or can I just skip the adapter entirely and just plug each monitor:

USB C to thunderbolt port (on Mac studio)
USB C to thunderbolt port (on Mac studio)


Thanks in advance for the help.

Better - you don't need DisplayLink for M1 Max or Ultra, that's a workaround for M1

Amazon One Medical

Get care and request prescriptions from an online or in-person doctor. Now offering ongoing primary care and 24/7 telehealth.

www.amazon.com

 

[Akapplefan]

Better - you don't need DisplayLink for M1 Max or Ultra, that's a workaround for M1

Amazon One Medical

Get care and request prescriptions from an online or in-person doctor. Now offering ongoing primary care and 24/7 telehealth.

www.amazon.com

Do I even need an adapter at all?

Or can I just go:

Usb c (from the monitor) to thunderbolt port on Mac.

Usb c (from the monitor) to thunderbolt port on Mac.

 

[enricoclaudio]

Do I even need an adapter at all?

Or can I just go:

Usb c (from the monitor) to thunderbolt port on Mac.

Usb c (from the monitor) to thunderbolt port on Mac.

Yep, that’s the easy way to do it if your monitors have usb c ports. If not, then get usb c to hdmi or usb c to DP cables and be done.

 

[Akapplefan]

Yep, that’s the easy way to do it if your monitors have usb c ports. If not, then get usb c to hdmi or usb c to DP cables and be done.

both monitors have usb c ports so if both are plugged into separate Thunderbolt ports on the max studio they will work to mirror or extend the displays?

looking for the best image quality and don’t care to use up 2 of the 4 Thunderbolt ports.

thanks in advance.