Monitors for MacBook Pro

[Mr Luke]

I'm looking into the idea of purchasing a couple of external monitors to hook up with my MacBook Pro Early 2013. I'm a bit unsure as to how I go about connecting this all together.

If I was after one monitor, this would be easy, I would just hook up with the HDMI port. However, the setup I'm after is to put the MacBook Pro in a dock, hooked up to the two monitors, and then have a keyboard and mouse. Essentially, I'm wanting to create a desktop setup when at my desk, but also with the flexibility of being able to take away the laptop for use on the go.

So I think what I'm asking is..

a) does anybody have advice on how to achieve this?
b) most notably, how do I hook up the monitors (I've read that third party adapters no longer work?)

Thanks,

(Based in the UK)

 

[Mikael H]

I've only ever used a single external monitor with my late 2013 model MBP.
According to this old MacRumors post, you should be able to daisy-chain Thunderbolt-capable screens off each other, which would satisfy your request as well as possible, albeit at a price. Note that the article describes 2011 model Macs, so there may be some changes to the 2013 model if you're unlucky. Also remember to keep resolutions down: two 2560x1440 screens should work, but don't expect to be using 4k resolution screens.

I suspect you could feed one monitor through HDMI and one through one of the TB ports, but I've never tried it.

If you've got a well-stocked electronics store nearby, or if you know of a web shop with a nice return policy, try asking them for permission to try a solution out; then you'll know for sure. A simple docking station á la business PC laptops won't happen though; the closest you get is probably the old Apple Thunderbolt Display, with a single connection cable ending in one power connector and one TB connector.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

As for 4K, if you aren't doing things that need fast refresh rates, the 2013 MacBook Pro supports 4K displays just fine at 30 Hz.

I've successfully run two 4K displays on my 2012 MacBook Pro - one over DisplayPort via a mini DisplayPort to full-size DisplayPort cable; plus a second over HDMI. (And a third display at the same time off the second Thunderbolt port, even, but that one 1080p.)