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MBP for Quad Monitors?

N

nexxco

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 14, 2021
9
1
My current set up is a 2014 13" MBP with a 1080p monitor as well as a windows desktop running a second identical monitor and I also run Barrier so I can use a single mouse and keyboard across both devices. I only have the desktop to share the workload because my MBP is a little slow for what I need it for. So I'm considering getting a new MBP to replace my current set up, but I would also like to add two more monitors (hopefully 2k or better) so I'll have a 4 monitor setup. But I'm not sure which MBP would work best and what peripherals I'll need. It won't be graphic intensive, think excel and proprietary software for calculations.

Some options I've thought of:
1) 16" MBP
  • Specs say I can connect 4 external displays natively but I'm not sure if the laptop will struggle to run (upgrades to CPU, RAM and dGPU?)
  • I see other posts saying I'll need a TB3 dock for 2 displays plus a USB-C to dual HDMI adapter for 2 more displays, does having two of the USB-C to dual HDMI not work?
2) eGPU
  • I can only connect this to intel MBP, so I could buy a refurbrished 13" MBP with intel CPU instead of the more expensive 16"
  • As long as the GPU has 4 ports I guess I should be able to connect to 4 monitors?
3) DisplayLink adapters/docks
  • I guess this would be the easiest way out and I'd be able to get the newer M1 MBP as well but it seems like the overall consensus is displaylink is inferior or it might not be supported down the road?
4) Wait for next gen macbooks to take advantage of new M chip and possibly be able to run eGPU or support 4 monitors?

If anyone has a working 4 monitor setup they can share that'd be appreciated, or maybe 2 monitors plus an 4k ultrawide? Thanks!
 
4 work with the 16”
 

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I run two monitors through a single usb-c (using TOTU docking station). No problems. I am sure I can hook up another two and also have no problems. 16" have plenty of power for that stuff. My setup requires DisplayLink drivers. This creates a problem when watching Apple TV - there is sound but no video. This is because DisplayLink requires a permission to record the screen and Apple considers that as if I want to record their movie...
Should be no problem if you use one usb-c for one monitor. That way you do not need any third-party software.
 
I can't speak to all of the configurations you are considering, but my 16-inch, with a 5600M GPU, has no issues with 4 displays at all, even when two of them are 4K. The loss in performance is pretty minimal, and the additional heat is also not all that much. I highly recommend the 5600M. While it seems likely the next generation 16-inch will likely best its performance and potentially even its efficiency, the 5600M is a great GPU.
 
At this point I would wait a few months for your #4 option. I can't see investing into an intel MacBook at this point. The new M chip in the 16" MacBook will easily drive 4 monitors probably at 4k or 2 at 6k without eGPU.
 
nexxco said:
My current set up is a 2014 13" MBP with a 1080p monitor as well as a windows desktop running a second identical monitor and I also run Barrier so I can use a single mouse and keyboard across both devices. I only have the desktop to share the workload because my MBP is a little slow for what I need it for. So I'm considering getting a new MBP to replace my current set up, but I would also like to add two more monitors (hopefully 2k or better) so I'll have a 4 monitor setup. But I'm not sure which MBP would work best and what peripherals I'll need. It won't be graphic intensive, think excel and proprietary software for calculations.

Some options I've thought of:
1) 16" MBP
  • Specs say I can connect 4 external displays natively but I'm not sure if the laptop will struggle to run (upgrades to CPU, RAM and dGPU?)
  • I see other posts saying I'll need a TB3 dock for 2 displays plus a USB-C to dual HDMI adapter for 2 more displays, does having two of the USB-C to dual HDMI not work?
2) eGPU
  • I can only connect this to intel MBP, so I could buy a refurbrished 13" MBP with intel CPU instead of the more expensive 16"
  • As long as the GPU has 4 ports I guess I should be able to connect to 4 monitors?
3) DisplayLink adapters/docks
  • I guess this would be the easiest way out and I'd be able to get the newer M1 MBP as well but it seems like the overall consensus is displaylink is inferior or it might not be supported down the road?
4) Wait for next gen macbooks to take advantage of new M chip and possibly be able to run eGPU or support 4 monitors?

If anyone has a working 4 monitor setup they can share that'd be appreciated, or maybe 2 monitors plus an 4k ultrawide? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Wait for the next gen Mxx chips. I have a 2018 15”, and when I was going into the office used to run a 3x monitor setup. The thermals on these Intel chips are awful, and the fans would spin up.

Now I”m at home, and use it in a 2x monitor config (the internal panel + a 4K Dell monitor). Fan noise is just as bad, especially when screen sharing in Zoom. I’m a heavy Excel user, hence the need for the 15” and it’s 6 cores in the first place. Keep in mind the 16” have well documented issues with fan noise with the dedicated GPU.

The M1’s graphic performance meets or exceeds the 560X GPU in my 15”. I have a 13” also from work (2019 model) - that GPU is not up to the task of running 4 monitors smoothly. The newer Mxxx chips should exceed the 560X, performance wise, and will probably meet the current performance of the 16” without the associated heat impact.
 
16" and external displays don't really mix well, unless:
a) you get the 5600M
b) you get an eGPU
c) you get an Displaylink dock
d) you get really lucky tinkering with clamshell mode + SwitchResX

I will soon order a Displaylink dock as it seems the cheapest way to connect my external monitor and not have my MBP 16" fans sounding like a jet engine

Personally, I would just wait for the next 16", so you don't have to fiddle with workarounds or have to buy extras.
 
nexxco said:
Wow what adapters/peripherals did you use? Seems to be running quite a lot of stuff, performance issues or fans running like crazy?
Click to expand...
I just used some usb-c adapters for whatever monitor it was (min DisplayPort, HDMI, one monitor is a 4K LG USB-C)

at idle it’s fine, but if you start using an app heavy it gets warm of course - whether you have one monitor or four
 
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