Redditor Parmg100 runs his M1 MacBook Pro with enough displays to make most Mac owners do a doubletake. He said he manages to connect five displays, including two ultrawide monitors. Naturally, Redditors showed some curiosity about how he does it, given the MacBook Pro’s limitation on connecting external displays.
This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
As many Mac users well know, the M1 MacBook Pro and M1 MacBook Air natively support just one external display, in addition to the laptop’s built-in display. The Mac mini supports two external displays.
Workarounds exist, of course. One comment under the post pointed out you can use DisplayLink technology and a dock that supports it. And that’s just what Parmg100 did.
The right dock connects several displays
Parmg100 faced the question of the multi-display problem several times, so he decided to answer everyone at once with a thorough comment on the matter.
“I have connected to 5 independent (extended) displays (4 external monitors + 1 built-in = 5) simultaneously from my M1 MacBook Pro (2020 13-inch), using the Dell D6000 dock,” he said. “With the lid open AND/or closed, and without any third party software (other than the DisplayLink app and drivers).”
He strongly suggested people get a dock like the Dell D6000 he uses, even urging folks to “ask your employer, professors/university, or parents to purchase it for you.”
“If you have the cash, you can save yourself any more research, deliberation, and self-doubt by just ordering one of these right now. It will solve all your problems. At least when it comes to external/multiple monitors,” he added.
Get the right hardware and the right cables
Parmg100 told everyone to make sure they have one or two [DisplayPort] (male) to HDMI (female) connectors or cables around when they put their dock into action. The Dell D6000 features four USB 3.0 ports, one USB-C port, two DisplayPort ports and one HDMI port.
We wrote about this issue last month. That article included descriptions and links involving other hardware, such as the StarTech USB to HDMI Adapter. That user noted, however, that orienting one of the monitors in portrait mode is not yet supported.
Cult of Mac also featured an article in which a guy revealed his trick for getting six displays to work with an M1 MacBook Pro. The article includes a video.
Dual ultrawide monitors
Another commenter considering getting dual 34-inch ultrawide monitors wondered if Parmg100 ever finds his to be “too much.”
“I love them,” he replied. “I do a lot of day-to-day tasks that need multiple windows and these make it easy. No I don’t find them too be too much, but mine are 25-inch ultrawides so [I don’t know] how two 34-inch [monitors[ would compare.”
Last things last, if you like Parmg100’s wallpaper, you can get it here on the WidescreenWallpaper subreddit.
Shop these items now:
- M1 MacBook Pro
- iPad Pro
- 25-inch LG 25UM58-P HD IPS Ultrawide Monitor
- Havit Mechanical Keyboard and Mouse Combo
- Dell D6000 Universal Docking Station
- LED lights
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches or challenges.
