There’s been a lot said about the new M2 chip announced at WWDC 2022 recently. We covered the technical aspects of this second generation of Apple silicon for Macs extensively. Like other Mac fans, we’re thrilled with how much it will improve performance and especially power efficiency in the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air.
While it improves upon the M1 in so many ways, we’ve discovered the old saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same”, applies to the M2.
M2 MacBooks Still Only Support One External Display
Digging deeper into the new M2 MacBooks details provided by Apple, we discovered these machines will only support one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz.
If you’re a history buff, you’ll recall that was the same frustrating external display limitation faced by owners of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro released in 2020 with the basic M1 processor.
History is on the side of those wanting to buy these new M2 models. Just like with the M1 models, we know most Mac users love using multiscreen setups. The solution for M1 owners and now future M2 owners is the same.
The HDMI Adapter You’re Looking For
The OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Adapter is the DisplayLink powered solution for expanding your M1 and M2 machine’s digital window for easier video editing, seeing more of your workflow simultaneously, or even creating eye-catching digital signage. But wait…there’s more! This compact, bus-powered adapter features a USB-C power pass-thru port so you can charge/power your laptop. Being the leading dock innovator for Macs, we know you love having ports freed up on your machine.
Don’t just take our word for how awesome this dual display (or more if you use two of these babies!) adapter. Here’s just one of several five-star customer reviews:
In true OWC fashion, we’ll show you how this nifty, pixel multiplying adapter works with the M2 MacBooks as soon as we get our hands on one.
Great article, but its worth mentioning the other solution (SiliconMotion) that is also an option (often cheaper) as described here https://m1displays.com
This is great but…. What if we have two LG 4K Ultrafine displays? These connect with Thunderbolt not HDMI. What’s your solution for that?
Apple has been limiting display support- especially recently, but depending on the Mac you may be able to do two Thunderbolt. Apple has some guides here that explain what machines will do what:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202351
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/connect-an-external-display-mchl7c7ebe08/mac
If you need any help figuring out what configuration would work best for you please reach out to support, we can go over the options!
Great idea. Now if only there were a way to use a 27 inch 5K iMac, suitably gutted and modified, as an external monitor. The A1419 will no longer support macOS later than Monterey, so many will soon be discarded, despite their superb displays. Since OWC is the master at keeping old Macs up-to-date, would you consider it too challenging to come up with an appropriate conversion kit? I’d buy one in a flash, as I’m sure many of your other customers would. So, how about it OWC!?
It would definitely be an awesome way to keep on using the unit, wouldn’t it? Certainly something to think about!
I was about to buy a very well spec’d M2 MacBook Air then I read over the tech specs and found that despite the allegedly awesome graphics capability of these MacBooks Apple is STILL limiting them to a single external display. This pretty much torches the idea of buying a MacBook Air. I will instead have to opt for a MacBook Pro. I no longer need a Pro MacBook but Apple is imposing this limitation for God knows what reason. Maybe to get me to spend more? I’m wanting to replace my aging 2017 iMac. I bought one LG Ultrafine 4K display and I was going to buy a second one. If the MacBook Air won’t support working with both then I’m forced to buy a Pro.
This looks great – I am one of the early adopters of the M1 13″ MacBook who was quite disappointed in Apple’s failure to confess up front that two external monitors were not supported (after having purchased a second external monitor with the laptop to work with the one I already had)…no doubt they figured folks would assume it would be like the Intel based MacBook pros. So thanks for that, Apple.
I assume that the two monitors connected with this device will not need to be mirrored, but seen as separate desktops – right?
And a question – I have two USB-C docks connected to the MacBook now – one of them the OWC Thunderbolt dock (which I wish had an HDMI connector in it already!) – can this HDMI adapter be connected to one of the USB-C ports in the dock or must it be connected directly to the MacBook?
The Dual-HDMI adapter works on any Mac Thunderbolt 3 or 4, but is the solution for connecting two displays on Apple’s M1 and now M2 Macs that don’t otherwise support more than a single display.
For Apple’s 13″ M1 and M2 Laptops, means you can have three displays going in addition to the built in screen. For the Apple iMac 24″, same deal. For the Apple Mac mini, you’re get also now get a total of three displays supported (2 via our adapter + 1 via built in HDMI port).
As far as utilizing the connected displays – all are able to display independently. You can use mirror mode, but by no means limited to that use and can have your desktop grow/extended now over all connected as noted.
The adapter allows a true dual-display addition.