macOS Sonoma 14.6 Adds Dual External Display Support to M3 14-Inch MacBook Pro

[MacRumors]

The macOS Sonoma 14.6 update that Apple released today includes dual display support, an important feature specifically for the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro. With the new software, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 chip is able to run two external displays in clamshell mode, aka when the lid is closed.

Apple introduced dual display support in clamshell mode for the M3 MacBook Air models when they were released in March 2024, but at the time, the option was not available for the M3 14-inch MacBook Pro released back in October 2023. Apple said at the time that it was planning to release a software update that would add multi-display support to the M3 MacBook Pro.

The change is mentioned in Apple's macOS Sonoma update support document and in a support document on using dual monitors with the M3 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro now supports one external display at 6K resolution when the lid is open, or two external displays at 5K resolution at up to 60Hz when the lid is closed.

Higher-end MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips were already able to support multiple displays, so today's change only applies to the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro model.

Aside from the display update, macOS Sonoma 14.6 addresses a number of security vulnerabilities as outlined in Apple's security support document. None of the vulnerabilities are known to have been actively exploited in the wild, but it is still a good idea to update as soon as possible.

Article Link: macOS Sonoma 14.6 Adds Dual External Display Support to M3 14-Inch MacBook Pro

 

[brofkand]

So to do this with either the M3 MacBook Air or Pro, do you have to run two display cables to the machine - consuming both USB-C ports (or the HDMI port in the case of the Pro)? Or can you use a dock like the OWC dock to run two displays out of one USB-C port?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Ahhh yes, the software locked feature that legit made the MBA better than a “pro” model

 

[JPack]

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.

 

[USB-Adapter]

It would be useful to keep the lid open for the camera and Touch ID.

But it would be too complicated for Apple to let users disable the internal display when the lid is open.

I use a DisplayLink docking station with my M1 MBP and two external displays and have to mirror one of the displays to the internal display and then reduce the brightness of the internal display to zero in order to emulate a disabled internal display and still be able to use the camera, the Touch ID and the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro.
Every Windows laptop has a dedicated key on the keyboard to switch to this mode without dumb workarounds.

 

[djc6]

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.

I agree, but at least they give people the option? I know some people at work who do it to hookup TV size displays for WFH, but they had to get a touch ID apple keyboard, mouse and a camera from IT dept to make it all work.

 

[USB-Adapter]

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.

Me, most of the time when I work from home, because I have a USB camera, a Magic keyboard, a Logitech mouse and a Jabra speaker. But when I work in the office, I have to use the MacBook's internal camera and Touch ID.

 

[mortenb]

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID

New 'external' Magic Keyboard have Touch ID.

 

[bryo]

Cool! This could actually come in handy!

 

[bradman83]

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.

I do this with my work laptop (which is a Windows machine so Touch ID isn't applicable). For me the laptop's internal display is a distraction, I'd rather have the two main displays which are the same size, same height, and situated so they line up like one continuous display. I also happen to prefer an external keyboard with numeric keypad when working with a lot of numbers and a mouse versus a trackpad for working with Excel, so the setup works for my use case.

 

[iBluetooth]

So to do this with either the M3 MacBook Air or Pro, do you have to run two display cables to the machine - consuming both USB-C ports (or the HDMI port in the case of the Pro)? Or can you use a dock like the OWC dock to run two displays out of one USB-C port?

Correction: I confused it with a Max which has 3 usb-c.

 

[iBluetooth]

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.

I do for programming, but I have an external keyboard and touchpad.

 

[bradman83]

So to do this with either the M3 MacBook Air or Pro, do you have to run two display cables to the machine - consuming both USB-C ports (or the HDMI port in the case of the Pro)? Or can you use a dock like the OWC dock to run two displays out of one USB-C port?

From what I've read a Thunderbolt dock will support dual displays over a single port.

It has 3 usb-c ports, I connect to 2 monitors and have been doing that for the last year, so I don't really understand this news

The MacBook Pro with the base M3 chip only has two USB ports and only supported one external display before this software update. The M3 Pro and M3 Max models have 3 USB ports and support more than one display from the get go.

 

[iBluetooth]

From what I've read a Thunderbolt dock will support dual displays over a single port.

The MacBook Pro with the base M3 chip only has two USB ports and only supported one external display before this software update. The M3 Pro and M3 Max models have 3 USB ports and support more than one display from the get go.

Ahh, thank you, the Max!

 

[MegaBlue]

Congratulations to the 14” MacBook Pro with M3 for finally reaching feature parity with the M3 MacBook Air.

 

[Klagarde]

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.

I would at work. I bring laptop home and in work I HIGHLY prefer to work in a dual monitor setup due to stuff like neck pain and sitting position. This is the reason why I didnt buy macbook.

 

[icanhazmac]

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

Surely you jest?

I run my MBP probably 80% in clamshell at home with 2 monitors and externals versus 20% while traveling as a laptop with my iPad as the 2nd monitor.

Why would I want to use the comparatively tiny screen, keyboard, trackpad while at home versus 2 27" monitors with a full size KB and mouse? And my desktop speakers are way better too.

 

[CalMin]

Ahhh yes, the software locked feature that legit made the MBA better than a “pro” model

I know there will conspiracy theories abound over this, but I genuinely get the sense that this something they figured out how to do rather than something they withheld for marketing reasons. I have no evidence whatsoever to support this, I just think if they really wanted to keep the machines differentiated for market segmentation reasons, they would not be enabling it now, and they certainly wouldn't have first enabled it on the 'lesser' Air vs. the Pro.

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

Actually I do this every day! My home office setup is 2x Apple Studio displays, a bluetooth Magic Keyboard with TouchID, and a Caldigit dock. Laptop stays closed and I just plug in a single TB cable. I stack another laptop above and use universal control to access it.

 

[JPack]

New 'external' Magic Keyboard have Touch ID.

Yes, but it feels you have to buy a bunch of duplicate accessories to get dual external display. And you still lose the built-in Retina display. At that point, might as well pay the premium for M3 Pro so you can have triple displays.

 

[JPack]

Why would I want to use the comparatively tiny screen, keyboard, trackpad while at home versus 2 27" monitors with a full size KB and mouse? And my desktop speakers are way better too.

Many people mention Magic Keyboard with Touch ID. That keyboard is exactly the same size as the MBP's built-in keyboard. The six speakers on the MBP do very well for many users. And having 2+1 displays is always better than just 2.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Wow. I totally didn't realize that so much time went by with the M3 Air supporting this and the (suffix-less) M3 14-inch MacBook Pro not. That's silly on Apple's part.

 

[Kevin2055]

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.

but you get 8X screen space

 

[icanhazmac]

Many people mention Magic Keyboard with Touch ID. That keyboard is exactly the same size as the MBP's built-in keyboard. The six speakers on the MBP do very well for many users. And having 2+1 displays is always better than just 2.

Disagree.

I don't want a tiny keyboard, I use the Logitech MX Keys and MX Master 3s mouse. While the MBP speakers may be ok for some I wouldn't use that at home if you paid me, there are far better options such as the Audioengine A2+ I use and there are ones far better than those.

As for 2+1 screens always being better, that just doesn't work with my desk setup and for my use the smaller screen would be a hassle so no, it is not always better. Trying to elevate the MBP with a stand so that the screen would be at ergonomic height would take up a ton of useful real estate on my desk. Different strokes as they say.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/post-your-mac-setup-past-present-part-20.1772959/page-167?post=30912283#post-30912283

 

[BeatCrazy]

Yes, but it feels you have to buy a bunch of duplicate accessories to get dual external display. And you still lose the built-in Retina display. At that point, might as well pay the premium for M3 Pro so you can have triple displays.

It’s not duplicative if you prefer the standalone keyboard (with TouchID!) and separately-positioned Magic Trackpad/mouse. And the Studio Display camera is comparable if not better than what’s in a MacBook.

Not everyone has room for 3 displays.

 

[Spock]

We had to remove this from my IT department standard list because we know if we set up dual display for a user, they will call complaining the displays stop working when the lid is open.