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zemberoni

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 6, 2018
10
8
My current setup:
  • Personal laptop - 2013 11-inch Intel-based MacBook Air
  • Work laptop - 2021 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro
  • 2 x Apple Thunderbolt Display 27-Inch (model A1407), daisy-chained via Thunderbolt
  • Ethernet internet connected to Apple Thunderbolt Display #1
  • primary speakers = Apple Thunderbolt Display #1
  • primary webcam = Apple Thunderbolt Display #1
Note - I swap between the two MacBook's depending on personal vs. work stuff, but both have no problem driving BOTH external displays in addition to their own displays (ie the 11-inch MacBook air is driving 3 displays if you include its own).

I was holding out for an M3 13-inch MacBook Air that could drive both external displays in addition to its own display to replace my now-10-year-old 11-inch MacBook air, but last week's M3 MacBook Pro announcement makes me believe that doing what I want to do natively is not in the cards, as the M3 chip also has a limitation of only being able to drive a single external display, and I am not interested in paying up for a M3 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro nor its size/weight.

So, I'm now thinking of picking up an M2 13-inch MacBook Air (to replace my 2013 11-inch MacBook Air) and leverage DisplayLink technology to drive both Apple Thunderbolt Display's (+ the internal display). What is the cheapest DisplayLink adapter/dock/software that folks can recommend which won't materially change my workflow?

Thank you!!!
 
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