One of the Mac ’s greatest long - term advantages has been the ease ofattaching external monitors . The attachment connector type , resolutions brook , and total amount has varied over prison term , but it ’s a persistently easy task .
Or at least it was ! Over the last six age , Apple introduce USB 3 over USB - C ( 12 - in MacBook , now discontinued ) , Thunderbolt 3 , which uses USB - degree centigrade ( and hold up many kinds of adapters ) , and the Apple atomic number 14 M - serial publication processor simulation . Some Macs have or still include TV - specific connectors , too : in the past , that include DVI ( multiple forms ) , Mini DisplayPort , DisplayPort over Thunderbolt 2 , and HDMI .
More recently , HDMI 2.0 became the only stay video connector that ’s not USB - C. Apple build up HDMI into many Intel models as well as on the M1 Mac mini , the 14 - inch and 16 - inch M1 Pro / Max MacBook Pro , and the Mac Studio .
work out out how many monitors can plug into which Macs has become kin to calculus for many readers , based on our mail pouch .
( Have a monitor that uses DVI , Mini DisplayPort , or Thunderbolt 2?Consult our guideon how to determine what you have and which kind of adapter you need . need to use an iMac as an external monitor ? Only iMacs released from 2009 to mid-2014 qualify . See “ troubleshoot tips for using an old iMac as an external display for a Thunderbolt 3 Mac . ” )
Here ’s the matchup for Macs of the last few generations , starting with the new , not including the inner presentation for iMac and Mac laptop computer . Connections are via a USB - C connexion except where notice .
The resolution , for reference , are :
The high resolution supported is listed for each configuration or set of options , but you’re able to use a lower - resolve varan , too . For example , the M1 Mac mini allows up to 6 K over USB - ampere-second , but you may stop up a 4 K UHD monitor into that port or else .
M-series Mac monitor options
Most M1 and M2 Macs set aside summate only a single outside monitor lizard ; the Mac mini allow two . There are ways around this issuance though , show : How to plug into two or more outside displays to Apple Silicon M1 or M2 Macsfor more entropy .
Here are your options group by display choices :
( * you could usehardware that uses DisplayLink technologyto add extra monitors via USB 3 . It require installing a kernel - level gadget driver from the troupe . learn our review of the Mac - compatibleStarTech USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter with DisplayLink . )
M1 Pro, Max, and Ultra monitor options
With the introduction in October 2021 of the M1 Pro and M1 Ultra chip followed by the March 2022 announcement of the M1 Ultra , Apple dramatically expand the video display options for professional - level models :
The Mac Studio ’s M1 Max configuration include two USB 3 front - face USB - C port that can not be used with DisplayPort arranger ; the M1 Ultra exemplar elevate those to Thunderbolt 4 , which can be used with a standard USB - C DisplayPort adapter . This does n’t decrease the bit of monitors that can be attached , but it might requires an outside Thunderbolt 4 docking facility to have enough USB - ampere-second connectors free for all your purposes .
Intel Mac with USB 3/Thunderbolt 3 monitor options
Intel Macs with Thunderbolt 3 had a more churrigueresque regalia of potential external monitor configurations . Here are the possibilities for the last transport variant of each Thunderbolt 3 model and the 12 - inch MacBook with USB 3 over USB - coulomb :
Choose a monitor to go with your Mac from our bout up of thebest Mac compatible displays .
Ask Mac 911
We ’ve compile a list of the questions we get asked most frequently along with answers and links to columns : scan our super FAQ to see if your interrogative sentence is covered . If not , we ’re always looking for newfangled problems to clear ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.comincluding screen seizure as appropriate , and whether you need your full name used . Not every question will be suffice , we do n’t reply to electronic mail , and we can not furnish direct troubleshooting advice .
