How many external displays does my MacBook Pro (M3/M4/M5 and Pro/Max variants) support?

Contents

• How many external displays does my MacBook Pro support (M3/M4/M5 and Pro/Max variants)?
• How do you connect external monitors natively to MacBook Pro (M3/M4/M5)?
• Which docking station do you need?

How many external displays does my MacBook Pro support (M3/M4/M5 and Pro/Max variants)?

Native display support differs per MacBook Pro chip and depends on resolution and refresh rate. The overview below is based on Apple’s official support documentation.

Note: all configurations below are native. For MacBook Pro with M3/M4/M5 you do not need DisplayLink to use multiple external displays.

MacBook Pro with M5 chip

• Maximum 2 external displays at the same time.
• Examples:
  • 2× 6K@60Hz via Thunderbolt
  • 2× 4K@144Hz via Thunderbolt or HDMI
  • 1× 8K@60Hz or 1× 4K@240Hz

MacBook Pro with M4 or M4 Pro chip

• Maximum 2 external displays at the same time.
• Examples:
  • 2× 6K@60Hz via Thunderbolt
  • 1× 6K@60Hz via Thunderbolt + 1× 4K@144Hz via HDMI
  • 1× 8K@60Hz or 1× 4K@240Hz

MacBook Pro with M4 Max chip

• Maximum 4 external displays at the same time.
• Examples:
  • 4× 6K@60Hz
  • 3× 6K@60Hz + 1× 4K@144Hz
  • 2× 6K@60Hz + 1× 8K@60Hz
  • 2× 6K@60Hz + 1× 4K@240Hz

MacBook Pro with M3 chip (base)

• Maximum 1 external display with the lid open.
• Maximum 2 external displays only possible with the lid closed (clamshell).
• Examples:
  • 1× 6K@60Hz via Thunderbolt
  • 1× 4K@144Hz via HDMI
  • 2× external (clamshell): 1× 6K@60Hz + 1× 5K@60Hz
  • 2× external (clamshell): 1× 6K@60Hz + 1× 4K@100Hz

MacBook Pro with M2 Pro or M3 Pro chip

• Maximum 2 external displays at the same time.
• Examples:
  • 2× 6K@60Hz via Thunderbolt
  • 1× 6K@60Hz + 1× 4K@144Hz
  • 1× 8K@60Hz or 1× 4K@240Hz

MacBook Pro with M2 Max or M3 Max chip

• Maximum 4 external displays at the same time.
• Examples:
  • 3× 6K@60Hz + 1× 4K@144Hz
  • 3× 6K@60Hz
  • 2× 6K@60Hz + 1× 8K@60Hz
  • 2× 6K@60Hz + 1× 4K@240Hz
  • 2× 6K@60Hz
  • 1× 6K@60Hz, 1× 8K@60Hz or 1× 4K@240Hz

Other MacBook Pro models

For older MacBook Pro models (for example Intel-based), this varies per generation. Check the technical specifications of your exact model on: Apple support page.

How do you connect external monitors natively to MacBook Pro (M3/M4/M5)?

MacBook Pro models with M3, M4, and M5 support multiple external displays directly via Thunderbolt (USB-C) and HDMI. You do not need DisplayLink for this.

• Use Thunderbolt (USB-C) for high resolutions such as 6K@60Hz.
• Use HDMI as an extra output (maximum refresh rate varies per chip).
• MacBook Pro with M3 (base): 2 displays are only possible with the lid closed (clamshell) and an external mouse/keyboard.
• A hub or daisy-chain can be convenient, but does not increase the maximum number of displays.

Which docking station do you need?

Which dock you need depends on your MacBook model and your goal:

• Do you have a MacBook Air/Pro with M1 or M2 (base) and want more than 1 external display?
  Then you need a docking station with DisplayLink.
• Do you have a MacBook Pro with M3 Pro/Max, M4 (Pro/Max) or M5?
  Then you can connect multiple displays natively and use a dock mainly for extra ports and convenience.

The Casecentive 13-in-1 USB-C DisplayLink Docking Station is ideal if you:

• want one cable for power, network, and accessories
• and (with M1/M2 base) need multiple external displays

View the Casecentive 13-in-1 Docking Station ➔

How do you connect the Casecentive 13-in-1 DisplayLink docking station?

1. Connect the dock to your MacBook
   Plug the docking station into a USB-C/Thunderbolt port using the supplied cable.
2. Connect your monitors
   Use HDMI and/or DisplayPort on the docking station.
3. Install the DisplayLink driver
   Download the official driver: DisplayLink driver for macOS .
4. Restart your MacBook
   After restarting, the additional displays will be recognized as separate desktops.
5. Arrange your displays
   Go to  System Settings → Displays and choose “Extend”.

How many displays does the Casecentive 13-in-1 docking station support?

• 1× HDMI 8K@30Hz (DP Alt Mode)
• 1× HDMI 4K@60Hz (DisplayLink)
• 1× DisplayPort 4K@60Hz (DisplayLink)

This allows you, depending on your Mac model and configuration, to use up to three external displays.