Quad monitor doc for MacBook & PC

[bluebottle]

I am looking for a desktop hub solution that allows me to have 3-4 1080p screens and switch between a mac laptop and hp laptop.

Right now I have an HP M2 hub which I use with 3 screens for my work laptop. I tried plugging my 2016 macbook into this and it works but the three screens all show the same display image.

I am therefore looking to get a new macbook pro or air and perhaps a new hub that will allow me to use 3 (or ideally 4) separate 1080p displays and switch between the hub connection between the mac and the PC.

Is there a macbook/dock combo I can get that will deliver this?

 

[Amethyst1]

The reason the HP hub doesn’t work correctly with the MacBook… it’s probably a MST hub and macOS doesn’t support MST.

You can get a Thunderbolt 3/4 hub/dock for the new MacBook, but a Thunderbolt port only carries two DisplayPort streams, so you can only run two displays from a dock/hub. In order to run three or four screens from one, you’d need to resort to a DisplayLink device for the third and fourth screen.

As far as Apple Silicon is concerned, you need an M1 Pro or Max (or Ultra) to run two screens from one Thunderbolt port (and more than one external screen in general without resorting to DisplayLink).

 

[bluebottle]

Thanks for the reply. When you say 'resort' to a DisplayLink, are there big downsides with these options?

 

[Amethyst1]

When you say 'resort' to a DisplayLink, are there big downsides with these options?

It's not as "fast" (smooth) as a screen connected directly to the system.
Others will hopefully chime in with additional hands-on experience.

 

[tagumcity]

The DisplayLink using the Kensington VU4000 can be slightly lagging or choppy. My use is low intensity; documents, YouTube, mid range DAC/AMP. Now, I'm looking at the Kensington SD4900P docking station plus others for a 3 monitor setup.