Summary of Issue with MacBook Air M3 and External Monitors

[MrTonyDaMan]

am currently facing an issue with my MacBook Air equipped with the latest M3 chipset, which is significantly impacting my development work. The problem arises when trying to use two external HDMI monitors through an Anker docking station that features two HDMI ports. Despite my attempts, the displays only mirror each other rather than extending to show different windows on each monitor.



Details of the Problem:




• MacBook Model: MacBook Air 15" with M3 chip with specs maxed out

• Docking Station: Anker 364 USB-C Hub docking station with two HDMI ports.


• Symptoms: The two external monitors mirror each other instead of functioning as extended displays. I have tried different settings and nope not working.



Attempted Solution:


Using an Anker docking station designed to handle multiple HDMI outputs. However, this setup results in mirrored displays rather than independent extended screens.



Additional Challenge:



I am unable to find a compatible 49-inch curved monitor with Thunderbolt connectivity that supports my requirements and fits my budget. The options available either do not have Thunderbolt ports or are too expensive.



Objective:



To find a solution that allows my MacBook Air M3 to effectively utilize dual external monitors as extended displays and to locate an affordable, compatible 49-inch curved monitor with Thunderbolt connectivity.



Specific Requirements:



• Purpose: Development work, not gaming.

• Monitor Configuration: I need a setup where I can display three different windows on one monitor screen.

• Budget: Looking for an option under $1,000.



Request for Assistance:



I am seeking recommendations or links to affordable 49-inch curved monitors with Thunderbolt connectivity that support extended display functionality. The ideal solution should fit within my budget and cater to my development work needs. Any guidance or direction to suitable products would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bigwaff]

The problem arises when trying to use two external HDMI monitors through an Anker docking station that features two HDMI ports. Despite my attempts, the displays only mirror each other rather than extending to show different windows on each monitor.

M3 MBA only supports two displays. To use two external displays, you need to close the lid and use the laptop in "clamshell" mode.

Use dual monitors with your MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M3 chip - Apple Support

You can connect two external displays simultaneously when you close the lid of your MacBook Air.

support.apple.com

Other alternative is to purchase a USB dock w/ support for DisplayLink technology or purchase a Thunderbolt 3/4 dock.

 

[MrTonyDaMan]

M3 MBA only supports two displays. To use two external displays, you need to close the lid and use the laptop in "clamshell" mode.

Use dual monitors with your MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M3 chip - Apple Support

You can connect two external displays simultaneously when you close the lid of your MacBook Air.

support.apple.com

Other alternative is to purchase a USB dock w/ support for DisplayLink technology or purchase a Thunderbolt 3/4 dock.

Is there a 49" inch monitor out there that i can use to have different open windows that would work with the Macbook air M3? Like this for example -->

SAMSUNG 49-Inch Odyssey G9 Series DQHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor, 1ms(GtG), VESA DisplayHDR 1000, 240Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Height Adjustable Stand, LS49CG954ENXZA, 2024​

 

[JPack]

Specific Requirements:



• Purpose: Development work, not gaming.

• Monitor Configuration: I need a setup where I can display three different windows on one monitor screen.

• Budget: Looking for an option under $1,000.

Unfortunately, that's not happening. Since you're doing dev work, you need an IPS ultrawide. That's already impossible for the budget, then tack on the Thunderbolt requirement. If you want 49-inch, your only real option is ThinkVision P49w-30.

To put it briefly, MacBook Air M3 doesn't support dual monitors. Nobody wants to use it in clamshell mode.

Your options are to buy a MacBook Pro or buy the P49w, both of which are more than $1,000.

 

[JPack]

Is there a 49" inch monitor out there that i can use to have different open windows that would work with the Macbook air M3? Like this for example -->

SAMSUNG 49-Inch Odyssey G9 Series DQHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor, 1ms(GtG), VESA DisplayHDR 1000, 240Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Height Adjustable Stand, LS49CG954ENXZA, 2024​

You want something designed for macOS, like Dell U4924DW that has software to arrange windows and firmware support.

 

[kiranmk2]

am currently facing an issue with my MacBook Air equipped with the latest M3 chipset, which is significantly impacting my development work. The problem arises when trying to use two external HDMI monitors through an Anker docking station that features two HDMI ports. Despite my attempts, the displays only mirror each other rather than extending to show different windows on each monitor.



Details of the Problem:




• MacBook Model: MacBook Air 15" with M3 chip with specs maxed out

• Docking Station: Anker 364 USB-C Hub docking station with two HDMI ports.


• Symptoms: The two external monitors mirror each other instead of functioning as extended displays. I have tried different settings and nope not working.



Attempted Solution:


Using an Anker docking station designed to handle multiple HDMI outputs. However, this setup results in mirrored displays rather than independent extended screens.



Additional Challenge:



I am unable to find a compatible 49-inch curved monitor with Thunderbolt connectivity that supports my requirements and fits my budget. The options available either do not have Thunderbolt ports or are too expensive.



Objective:



To find a solution that allows my MacBook Air M3 to effectively utilize dual external monitors as extended displays and to locate an affordable, compatible 49-inch curved monitor with Thunderbolt connectivity.



Specific Requirements:



• Purpose: Development work, not gaming.

• Monitor Configuration: I need a setup where I can display three different windows on one monitor screen.

• Budget: Looking for an option under $1,000.



Request for Assistance:



I am seeking recommendations or links to affordable 49-inch curved monitors with Thunderbolt connectivity that support extended display functionality. The ideal solution should fit within my budget and cater to my development work needs. Any guidance or direction to suitable products would be greatly appreciated.

IT sounds like your issue is using a docking station - these typically use Displayport MST to drive multiple displays from a single USB-C port. For whatever reason, MacOS doesn't support MST. Your cheapest solution would be to change your setup as follows:
Monitor 1 connected to the dock via HDMI; dock connected to MacBook via USB-C cable
monitor 2 connected to MacBook via HDMI to USB-C dongle

In this mode, you will need to close your MacBook lid to enter clamshell mode. Now, how your 3 windows look spread across two monitors is up for debate (can you have one window full screen and two windows half screen?)

 

[eALduderino]

Hi Guys,
i recently got a Macbook Air (M3, MacOS Sequoia) and a HP Thunderbolt G4 Docking Station at work. HP advertises the docking station as MacOS compatible. The Technical White Paper sais: „HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 has obtained ThunderboltTM Certification from Intel® for Windows PC and Mac OS.“ The Problem is that the docking station is connected to the Mac in USB 4 mode and that the external monitors are mirrored as described above. Only one of the two external Monitors is recognized no matter if i have the mac's lid open or closed. Any advise on how to get get both monitors running as extensions?

 

[SnowCrocodile]

MBA doesn’t support dual monitors, it’s one of the feature limitations designed to drive buyers towards a more expensive MBP. Any attempt to bypass this limitation will be an expensive bandaid. Again, by design.

It’s just not the right tool for this specific requirement.

 

[Bigwaff]

MBA M3 supports two external displays. You just have to close the display lid.

Use dual monitors with your MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M3 chip - Apple Support

You can connect two external displays simultaneously when you close the lid of your MacBook Air.

support.apple.com

Only one of the two external Monitors is recognized no matter if i have the mac's lid open or closed. Any advise on how to get get both monitors running as extensions?

One of the displays needs to be connected to the MBA after you close the display lid.

 

[eALduderino]

MBA M3 supports two external displays. You just have to close the display lid.

Use dual monitors with your MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M3 chip - Apple Support

You can connect two external displays simultaneously when you close the lid of your MacBook Air.

support.apple.com

One of the displays needs to be connected to the MBA after you close the display lid.

i did try this but it doesn't work. Even if the mba is folded (closed) when connecting to the docking station. i guess i could connect the docking station to one of the mba's ports and the second monitor directly to the other but that would kind of eliminate the docking station's purpose.

 

[JPack]

i did try this but it doesn't work. Even if the mba is folded (closed) when connecting to the docking station. i guess i could connect the docking station to one of the mba's ports and the second monitor directly to the other but that would kind of eliminate the docking station's purpose.

Try using a different port, e.g. second monitor on HDMI or USB-C (adapter if needed). Often the pair of DP connectors use MST.

 

[NCnewbie]

Hi Guys,
i recently got a Macbook Air (M3, MacOS Sequoia) and a HP Thunderbolt G4 Docking Station at work. HP advertises the docking station as MacOS compatible. The Technical White Paper sais: „HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 has obtained ThunderboltTM Certification from Intel® for Windows PC and Mac OS.“ The Problem is that the docking station is connected to the Mac in USB 4 mode and that the external monitors are mirrored as described above. Only one of the two external Monitors is recognized no matter if i have the mac's lid open or closed. Any advise on how to get get both monitors running as extensions?

I have a M3 MacBook Air running Sonoma, and I can keep it open and run two more external monitors by using this adapter - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CS8D3KF2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title - my monitors aren't super high quality, but I don't need them to be for my use. I tried a number of different hubs and couldn't get it to work the way I wanted, so I finally caved in and tried this. My laptop screen and the monitors gives me 3 screens to work with (no mirroring).

 

[JPack]

I have a M3 MacBook Air running Sonoma, and I can keep it open and run two more external monitors by using this adapter - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CS8D3KF2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title - my monitors aren't super high quality, but I don't need them to be for my use. I tried a number of different hubs and couldn't get it to work the way I wanted, so I finally caved in and tried this. My laptop screen and the monitors gives me 3 screens to work with (no mirroring).

Yes, DisplayLink will work but it’s a last resort due to it being a software solution that puts a drain on the processor and memory. It also doesn’t work some some DRM streaming content like Apple TV and Disney Plus.

 

[eALduderino]

i Know about MST and also displaylink. still i believed it would work out the box, no issues whatsoever since it claims compatibility. https://kaas.hpcloud.hp.com/pdf-public/pdf_6747028_en-US-1.pdf
Edit:
i guessed i missed some special and/or hidden display setting in the OS.
Of course i thank you a lot for the response and help.

 

[Merkie]

Hi Guys,
i recently got a Macbook Air (M3, MacOS Sequoia) and a HP Thunderbolt G4 Docking Station at work. HP advertises the docking station as MacOS compatible. The Technical White Paper sais: „HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 has obtained ThunderboltTM Certification from Intel® for Windows PC and Mac OS.“ The Problem is that the docking station is connected to the Mac in USB 4 mode and that the external monitors are mirrored as described above. Only one of the two external Monitors is recognized no matter if i have the mac's lid open or closed. Any advise on how to get get both monitors running as extensions?

You need to connect the 2nd monitor with a Thunderbolt-to-HDMI cable. The HDMI ports internally use MST which is not supported by macOS. This is the case for almost every Thunderbolt dock, so probably this one too.

 

[JPack]

i Know about MST and also displaylink. still i believed it would work out the box, no issues whatsoever since it claims compatibility. https://kaas.hpcloud.hp.com/pdf-public/pdf_6747028_en-US-1.pdf
Edit:
i guessed i missed some special and/or hidden display setting in the OS.
Of course i thank you a lot for the response and help.

Compatible doesn’t mean all features work unfortunately.

Data sheet reads: “Not all features work with all operating systems.”

For example, HP explicitly says they don’t provide audio and Ethernet drivers for macOS. And the compatibility is related to Thunderbolt Certification only.

We know for a fact this dock uses MST on some of the outputs because multiple users report this issue on macOS. As stated by Merkie, MST on TB docks is also a known phenomenon.

 

[eALduderino]

Compatible doesn’t mean all features work unfortunately.

Data sheet reads: “Not all features work with all operating systems.”

For example, HP explicitly says they don’t provide audio and Ethernet drivers for macOS. And the compatibility is related to Thunderbolt Certification only.

We know for a fact this dock uses MST on some of the outputs because multiple users report this issue on macOS. As stated by Merkie, MST on TB docks is also a known phenomenon.

Funny thing is that the ethernet and audio worked out the box no issues what so ever. Thanks guys i appreciate the help and fast repsonses.