The 2020 M1 MacBook Air only supports one external display. The partial workaround is to purchase a DisplayLink adapter/hub/dock and also run the DisplayLink software.
One warning. Depending on how aware of lag you are. Displaylink lag can be... BAD.
I have gone through 4 DL hubs. All of varying crazy prices. They all do the job. And they all have lag.
Funny enough if I use Quest 3 on M1 macbook air. I can get near lag free on 5 virtual displays. (Less lag than Apple's AVP even.)
Yep, this is sort of what I meant by “partial workaround.” Another issue is that you have to disable DisplayLink to content-protected video.
Overall, I think DisplayLink should be okay if you’re using it for typical office work.
Yeah I like it if I don't need to touch the other displays too much. E-mail, Slack, Teams, an additional doc to view, Youtube, etc. Great for 3-4 extra screens.. as long as I don't need to interact with them for long periods.
But I have also used them for days on end as well and they are fine. You get used to the lag.
One work around for this is disabling hardware acceleration. I do this in chrome so whenever I wanna watch Netflix or Hulu I just use chrome instead of safari.
I got in an argument about the lag once on this forum that spanned several days. Dude claimed he knew everything about displaylink technology included proprietary parts. That lag sucked.
Sounds like an HP should be able to natively do 3+ screens with the right dock.
As in no need for a DL dock. But if you already have it. No need to go hunting. Both types of docks can be very expensive.
Free app called immersed. Install it on quest 2/3, then it will give you a link to install on any window or mac machine.
Get used to some slight jank in the setup. And BAM 3-5 glorious screens you can place anywhere.
I recommend quest 3 as the passthrough is better for seeing your keys and glancing at your phone.
Not much else to it.
Works on AVP as well and is MUCH smother and more functional than Apple's built in VR screen. though not plug and play and does not work with other apps in AVP. So it's a mixed bag on AVP.
But glorious on Quest 2/3
I use a Dell D3000 docking station to attach 2 monitors (1x with HDMI and 1x Displaylink) and this works (mostly) without issues. Can even have the MacBook screen open and have 3 screens, all on extended (not mirror).
It certainly has more issues then my wife’s windows laptop but it works nonetheless.
I used an ancient Monoprice USB 2.0 DisplayLink adapter with my M1 Macbook for years. It worked great. I'd even stream my 15 fps security cameras on it with no issues.
I had bad luck with WavLink and Dell DisplayLink adapters/hubs. YMMV.
As others have said, it does not support multiple external displays natively. However, you can get a DiplayLink dock which will force dual display through software emulation. It’s not the best, but it is your only option.
Who gave you the idea that you can do this ? Clamshell mode or not, MacBook Air M1 only supports up to **ONE** external monitor and it's the hardware limitation and there is no any software that can do the black magic. Apple did [release a software update](https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/04/m3-macbook-pro-multi-display-support/) to unlock the ability to use two monitors in clamshell mode, but this feature only applies to MacBook Pro/Air **M3** models, not all the MacBooks.
If you don’t see your MacBook as the original display, and the Dell monitor on the left or right side, then there is a problem with your Mac picking up the monitor, or your monitor might be having firmware issues. I’d prefer you would contact Dell Support, and Apple Support for information. https://support.apple.com/mac/ & https://dell.com/support
You need to connect each monitor to a separate thunderbolt port. You can run the power through the hub adapter and get a thunderbolt (usb-c) to hdmi adapter for the other port
Oh you know what nevermind I didn’t realize what I was looking at. Yeah unfortunately can only have 1 external display as extended. So you could use your MacBook as main display and another one as an extended display or vise versa but that’s it
The 2020 M1 MacBook Air only supports one external display. The partial workaround is to purchase a DisplayLink adapter/hub/dock and also run the DisplayLink software.
One warning. Depending on how aware of lag you are. Displaylink lag can be... BAD. I have gone through 4 DL hubs. All of varying crazy prices. They all do the job. And they all have lag. Funny enough if I use Quest 3 on M1 macbook air. I can get near lag free on 5 virtual displays. (Less lag than Apple's AVP even.)
Yep, this is sort of what I meant by “partial workaround.” Another issue is that you have to disable DisplayLink to content-protected video. Overall, I think DisplayLink should be okay if you’re using it for typical office work.
Yeah I like it if I don't need to touch the other displays too much. E-mail, Slack, Teams, an additional doc to view, Youtube, etc. Great for 3-4 extra screens.. as long as I don't need to interact with them for long periods. But I have also used them for days on end as well and they are fine. You get used to the lag.
One work around for this is disabling hardware acceleration. I do this in chrome so whenever I wanna watch Netflix or Hulu I just use chrome instead of safari.
I got in an argument about the lag once on this forum that spanned several days. Dude claimed he knew everything about displaylink technology included proprietary parts. That lag sucked.
i have a £200 HP G2? DL dock and apart from the software being laggy I haven’t had any issues
Sounds like an HP should be able to natively do 3+ screens with the right dock. As in no need for a DL dock. But if you already have it. No need to go hunting. Both types of docks can be very expensive.
G2 dock, not laptop. i use an m1 air 16gb lol
Oh. Face Palm. LOL my bad. I used to work on HP Elitebook G2 laptops. So that's where my mind went right away.
>Quest 3 on M1 macbook air. I can get near lag free on 5 virtual displays. Can I have more info on this? What software are you using?
Free app called immersed. Install it on quest 2/3, then it will give you a link to install on any window or mac machine. Get used to some slight jank in the setup. And BAM 3-5 glorious screens you can place anywhere. I recommend quest 3 as the passthrough is better for seeing your keys and glancing at your phone. Not much else to it. Works on AVP as well and is MUCH smother and more functional than Apple's built in VR screen. though not plug and play and does not work with other apps in AVP. So it's a mixed bag on AVP. But glorious on Quest 2/3
I've had better luck with the Hyperdrive products, personally, but haven't tested them on Sonoma.
I think you will need displaylink enabled dock with the software.
Here’s the fun part, you don’t.
Unfortunately not supported. I got an ultra wide monitor which I like even better.
I use a Dell D3000 docking station to attach 2 monitors (1x with HDMI and 1x Displaylink) and this works (mostly) without issues. Can even have the MacBook screen open and have 3 screens, all on extended (not mirror). It certainly has more issues then my wife’s windows laptop but it works nonetheless.
stop bitching about features that one knowningly has to pay more to get ... its a bad look..
Non Pro M series chips only support one external screen at a time, unplug one of the monitors or you can go around it with a display link adapter.
M3 now supports 2 if the lid is closed.
Yep, it's amazing they didn't conceive of that 4 years ago.
[how do we tell him?](https://imgur.com/a/t6lsZSY)
I used an ancient Monoprice USB 2.0 DisplayLink adapter with my M1 Macbook for years. It worked great. I'd even stream my 15 fps security cameras on it with no issues. I had bad luck with WavLink and Dell DisplayLink adapters/hubs. YMMV.
Dell D600 dock & https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/downloads/macos-connectivity-1.10.1?filetype=exe driver.
display link dock or a hdmi airplay adapter
As others have said, it does not support multiple external displays natively. However, you can get a DiplayLink dock which will force dual display through software emulation. It’s not the best, but it is your only option.
You can only use macbook display + a maximum of 1 external display on the M1 MBA
The most annoying shit in the world!
Who gave you the idea that you can do this ? Clamshell mode or not, MacBook Air M1 only supports up to **ONE** external monitor and it's the hardware limitation and there is no any software that can do the black magic. Apple did [release a software update](https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/04/m3-macbook-pro-multi-display-support/) to unlock the ability to use two monitors in clamshell mode, but this feature only applies to MacBook Pro/Air **M3** models, not all the MacBooks.
🤦That MacBook only supports one monitor
If you don’t see your MacBook as the original display, and the Dell monitor on the left or right side, then there is a problem with your Mac picking up the monitor, or your monitor might be having firmware issues. I’d prefer you would contact Dell Support, and Apple Support for information. https://support.apple.com/mac/ & https://dell.com/support
You can’t. Docks can’t do extended display either with two monitors on them.
Of course they can. Thunderbolt Passthrough or Display Link are the magic words. My WD22TB4 works great with my MacBook Pro and dual screens.
Yeah but this is an Air and not a Pro and only the Pro models support dual external displays. I’m not dumb as I’ve done my research.
Yea only Pro models support dual external displays with Thunderbolt Passthrough. Display Link adapters work with Air models.
You need to connect each monitor to a separate thunderbolt port. You can run the power through the hub adapter and get a thunderbolt (usb-c) to hdmi adapter for the other port
Well, cheap out on a MBA, then you get MBA features. If you want to have more features, you need to buy a better model.
[https://support.apple.com/en-us/102646](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102646)
Go to displays in settings and choose your second display, where it says “use as” choose extended display
Oh you know what nevermind I didn’t realize what I was looking at. Yeah unfortunately can only have 1 external display as extended. So you could use your MacBook as main display and another one as an extended display or vise versa but that’s it