Possible to run four monitors on 2017 MBP?

[CrashSeat]

Is anyone running a 4 external monitor setup on their Macbook Pro? If it is physically possible, what is required for this? Can you daisy chain all of them? Run two TB3 to dual HDMI adaptors simultaneously?

 

[ZapNZs]

What resolution would you like to run?
Which MacBook Pro is this in reference to? (the different versions have different external display capabilities)

Diasychaining with macOS is limited to monitors that support Thunderbolt (DisplayPort MST is not supported currently)

 

[CrashSeat]

Thanks for the reply!
Here are some system specs:
2017
Model Identifier: MacBookPro14,3
Radeon Pro 560 4 GB
Intel HD Graphics 630 1536 MB

I am not too concerned about resolution 1080p is OK for now.

 

[Significant1]

Apple's tech specs says the 15" support 4 Displays in addition to the built-in display. How many you can daisy-chain on one port, I am not sure. Apple's just state:
"MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016) and later supports up to four Thunderbolt displays using Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapters or daisy-chaining."
Edit: ok this might be limited to thunderbolt displays..

 

[Brookzy]

Maximum four external displays, each at up to 4096 x 2304 resolution. You can't daisy chain all of them because USB-C only supports up to one display, and Thunderbolt 3 only supports up to two displays, over a single cable.

To connect with the fewest cables possible, you could buy two Thunderbolt 3 docks and then you could have four displays and charging power all over two cables. Note if you do this the two Thunderbolt 3 cables will need to be connected to opposite sides of the MacBook because each side only has one Thunderbolt controller and thus there is a two display limit on each individual side.

 

[CrashSeat]

Maximum four external displays, each at up to 4096 x 2304 resolution. You can't daisy chain all of them because USB-C only supports up to one display, and Thunderbolt 3 only supports up to two displays, over a single cable.

To connect with the fewest cables possible, you could buy two Thunderbolt 3 docks and then you could have four displays and charging power all over two cables. Note if you do this the two Thunderbolt 3 cables will need to be connected to opposite sides of the MacBook because each side only has one Thunderbolt controller and thus there is a two display limit on each individual side.

Good info, thanks. It seems like there isnt a good way without making it look like fankenstein spaghetti unless I have thunderbolt 3 monitors.
What about an external video card?

 

[Brookzy]

Good info, thanks. It seems like there isnt a good way without making it look like fankenstein spaghetti unless I have thunderbolt 3 monitors.
What about an external video card?

You don't necessarily need Thunderbolt 3 monitors - depending on your budget two Thunderbolt 3 docks would allow a very neat four-display setup. Or to save some money you could get one Thunderbolt 3 dock (to provide charging) and one Thunderbolt 3 to dual HDMI adapter (e.g. this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-TB32HD24K60-Thunderbolt-Adapter-Compatible-Silver/dp/B075CLHQY.) Just make sure it is Mac compatible, some cheaper and older Thunderbolt 3 devices are only compatible with Windows.

Then you could get some 2m Thunderbolt 3 cables and hide it all under/behind a desk or whatever. Very neat!

 

[CrashSeat]

You don't necessarily need Thunderbolt 3 monitors - depending on your budget two Thunderbolt 3 docks would allow a very neat four-display setup. Or to save some money you could get one Thunderbolt 3 dock (to provide charging) and one Thunderbolt 3 to dual HDMI adapter (e.g. this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-TB32HD24K60-Thunderbolt-Adapter-Compatible-Silver/dp/B075CLHQY.) Just make sure it is Mac compatible, some cheaper and older Thunderbolt 3 devices are only compatible with Windows.

Then you could get some 2m Thunderbolt 3 cables and hide it all under/behind a desk or whatever. Very neat!

Thank you!

 

[Fishrrman]

You might be able to run four displays, but I sense that the overall performance is going to be impacted.

This really sounds like a job for a... Mac Pro.