Hi Quickieorg,
It seems you're having trouble running your external displays with your MacBook Air, but they work with your MacBook Pro.
Can you clarify exactly which chip is in your MacBook Pro? That might explain some of the difference.
It's also clear that you're using a docking station from your information provided. Your MacBook Air is normally capable of driving 2 displays with the M2 chip. Those displays are normally your internal display on the Mac itself, and one additional external display. This sounds like in your situation you are able to run two displays through your docking station:
Display Support
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and:
- One external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz
MacBook Air (M2, 2022) - Technical Specifications
If your MacBook Pro is a 14-inch or 16-inch model that features the M1 Pro or higher then it simply supports more displays than your M2 powered Mac does:
Display Support
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and:
- Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors (M1 Pro) or
- Up to three external displays with up to 6K resolution and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors (M1 Max)
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) - Technical Specifications
Let us know if that explains the difference for you. If you're within the return period for your Mac, you might consider exchanging for one that supports the number of displays you need.
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.
