Triple Monitor Docking Setup M1 Max 16" MacBook Pro

I have a M1 Max MacBook Pro that is capable that I am wanting to output to 3 1080p basic office monitors via a docking station. My Windows laptop with an i5 and internal graphics can output to 2 of the monitors with the following setup: Windows laptop -> TB3 cable -> dock -> 2 DisplayPort cables, one to each monitor. The third monitor is plugged directly into the laptop. This all works great.


When I try this setup with my M1 Max MacBook Pro, the 2 DisplayPort monitors show the same thing. The monitors are the exact same and show the exact same name. When plugged into the dock, my MacBook Pro only shows one of the DisplayPort monitors in settings, but mirrors that display on the other one. The display plugged into the laptop via HDMI works just fine.


Is there a way to get my MacBook Pro to recognize the two displays that are plugged into the dock? Or is there another triple display setup anyone could recommend?


Thanks in advance!

Posted on Jan 17, 2023 07:25 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 18, 2023 01:36 PM

Greetings Bcoop886,


We'd like to provide you with some details that may be able to assist you with connecting your displays to your MacBook Pro:


"Find out how many displays you can connect

You can connect one or more external displays depending on your Mac model. To find out how many external displays your Mac supports, check its technical specifications page: 

  1. Choose Apple menu  > About This Mac, double-click your serial number, then press Command-C to copy it.
  2. Go to the Tech Specs page, click the Search Tech Specs bar, press Command-V to enter your computer's serial number, then click Search.
  3. Click the specs page for your Mac. The number of displays your Mac supports appears under Video Support or Graphics.


Mac computers with Apple silicon

On Mac computers with Apple silicon, you can connect up to 5 displays depending on the chip in your Mac. To find out which chip your Mac has, choose Apple menu  > About This Mac. 

If you're using a Mac Studio with M1 Ultra:

  • You can connect up to five external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports on the front and back of the computer.

If you're using a Mac with M1 Max:

  • On MacBook Pro, you can connect up to four external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports.
  • On Mac Studio, you can connect up to five external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports on the back of the computer.

If you're using a Mac with M1 Pro:

  • You can connect up to two external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports.

If you're using a Mac with the M1 or M2 chip:

  • On MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini, you can connect one external display using either of the Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. On iMac, connect your display to either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol .
  • On Mac mini, you can connect a second display to the HDMI port.
  • Using docks or daisy-chaining devices doesn't increase the number of displays you can connect."


More details here: Connect a display to your Mac


We also suggest reviewing the following resource as well. This can assist you with the display doesn't look the way you expect:

If your external display isn't detected or appears blurry when connected to your Mac


Best wishes!




Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 18, 2023 01:36 PM in response to Bcoop886

Greetings Bcoop886,


We'd like to provide you with some details that may be able to assist you with connecting your displays to your MacBook Pro:


"Find out how many displays you can connect

You can connect one or more external displays depending on your Mac model. To find out how many external displays your Mac supports, check its technical specifications page: 

  1. Choose Apple menu  > About This Mac, double-click your serial number, then press Command-C to copy it.
  2. Go to the Tech Specs page, click the Search Tech Specs bar, press Command-V to enter your computer's serial number, then click Search.
  3. Click the specs page for your Mac. The number of displays your Mac supports appears under Video Support or Graphics.


Mac computers with Apple silicon

On Mac computers with Apple silicon, you can connect up to 5 displays depending on the chip in your Mac. To find out which chip your Mac has, choose Apple menu  > About This Mac. 

If you're using a Mac Studio with M1 Ultra:

  • You can connect up to five external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports on the front and back of the computer.

If you're using a Mac with M1 Max:

  • On MacBook Pro, you can connect up to four external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports.
  • On Mac Studio, you can connect up to five external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports on the back of the computer.

If you're using a Mac with M1 Pro:

  • You can connect up to two external displays to your Mac using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports.

If you're using a Mac with the M1 or M2 chip:

  • On MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini, you can connect one external display using either of the Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. On iMac, connect your display to either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol .
  • On Mac mini, you can connect a second display to the HDMI port.
  • Using docks or daisy-chaining devices doesn't increase the number of displays you can connect."


More details here: Connect a display to your Mac


We also suggest reviewing the following resource as well. This can assist you with the display doesn't look the way you expect:

If your external display isn't detected or appears blurry when connected to your Mac


Best wishes!




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Triple Monitor Docking Setup M1 Max 16" MacBook Pro

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