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I’m so frustrated by what apple has done with externals in the last few iterations, especially displays. I am an outlier in that I use three external displays,

I’m so frustrated by what apple has done with externals in the last few iterations, especially displays. I am an outlier in that I use three external displays, and my current MacBook can just barely support it if I make sure to spread my devices over separate usb-c dongles. If I try to put keyboard, mouse, power, and monitor on a single advertised as supporting multiple USB and power and HDMI, the keyboard and especially mouse stop working correctly, even with “just” two external monitors. I thought things were moving in a direction where I’d have one hub/dock I plug all my peripherals into, leaving one cord to plug into the laptop, but now I have a maze of dongles I have to load balance! I don’t mind what they did on phones with the headphone jack, because they provided an excellent alternative. On MacBooks, they just take away ports without a solid replacement.

matthewmacleod 6y ago
Have you looked at the larger Thunderbolt hubs, rather than one of the cheaper and more ubiquitous USB-C dongles? I use a 15" MacBook Pro and a Caldigit TS3+ – more expensive, but I have a single cable supplying power, a bunch of USB ports, Ethernet, audio, an SD reader and 2x4k monitors. It pretty much feels like magic and has been completely flawless. It won't run three screens though – I do sometimes use a third myself, but that needs an additional direct HDMI -> USB-C cable.
- rmilk 6y ago
  Same here - using OWC (MacSales.com) TB3 hub on Mini 2018 for 4K and 1K display, supports up to 2x4K. Haven’t seen any that support 3 screens. Has USB A and C connectors, wired Ethernet, etc. They also have smaller versions, for example without Ethernet. Works from boot with MacOS and Windows. Only issue is with Windows safe mode (!).
- zebnyc 6y ago
  I usually use 3 external monitors and I just ordered the new M1 Mac Mini last week. I am having trepidations about buying a port expander which is almost half as expensive as the machine itself.
- 6gvONxR4sf7o 6y ago
  Even that wouldn't support three monitors, right? I think I read somewhere that the 2019+ macbooks only support two monitors per side of the laptop, so not three through one USB-C port.
  - matthewmacleod 6y ago
    Nope - as I mentioned above, it won’t work with three screens. You’ve got a minimum of two cables for three screens, unfortunately!
- Terretta 6y ago
  I own that magic box, mine runs 3 x 4K screens, via two USB-C and one DisplayPort. I have it plugged to right rear port because of the charging heat rumors. Rumor source: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/363337/how-to-find-cause-of-high-kernel-task-cpu-usage/363933#363933 https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/363337/how-to-find... EDIT: Not HDMI, DisplayPort.

matthewmacleod 6y ago

Have you looked at the larger Thunderbolt hubs, rather than one of the cheaper and more ubiquitous USB-C dongles? I use a 15" MacBook Pro and a Caldigit TS3+ – more expensive, but I have a single cable supplying power, a bunch of USB ports, Ethernet, audio, an SD reader and 2x4k monitors. It pretty much feels like magic and has been completely flawless. It won't run three screens though – I do sometimes use a third myself, but that needs an additional direct HDMI -> USB-C cable.

rmilk 6y ago
Same here - using OWC (MacSales.com) TB3 hub on Mini 2018 for 4K and 1K display, supports up to 2x4K. Haven’t seen any that support 3 screens. Has USB A and C connectors, wired Ethernet, etc. They also have smaller versions, for example without Ethernet. Works from boot with MacOS and Windows. Only issue is with Windows safe mode (!).
zebnyc 6y ago
I usually use 3 external monitors and I just ordered the new M1 Mac Mini last week. I am having trepidations about buying a port expander which is almost half as expensive as the machine itself.
6gvONxR4sf7o 6y ago
Even that wouldn't support three monitors, right? I think I read somewhere that the 2019+ macbooks only support two monitors per side of the laptop, so not three through one USB-C port.
- matthewmacleod 6y ago
  Nope - as I mentioned above, it won’t work with three screens. You’ve got a minimum of two cables for three screens, unfortunately!
Terretta 6y ago
I own that magic box, mine runs 3 x 4K screens, via two USB-C and one DisplayPort. I have it plugged to right rear port because of the charging heat rumors. Rumor source: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/363337/how-to-find-cause-of-high-kernel-task-cpu-usage/363933#363933 https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/363337/how-to-find... EDIT: Not HDMI, DisplayPort.