Some people take an orthodox view of external computer displays and opt for just one with proper windows management. For the rest of us, the best dual-monitor setup we can afford is the best way to go for plenty of screen real estate without going overboard. Check out some of the greatest two-display rigs from setups coverage over the past few years below.
This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
Top 10: Best dual monitor setup
Dual-display setups are probably the most popular configuration among the setups Cult of Mac has featured. But not everyone can afford a pair of Pro Display XDRs — or even Studio Displays — so we tend to see a real hodgepodge. A future roundup will focus on dual Studio Display setups, but you can see some of those below, too. Each headline links to the original Setups post for more information and cool gear to buy. And if you want more screens, don’t miss my roundup of the top 15 multidisplay setups.
10. MacBook Pro rig adds dual 5K displays and badass mechanical keyboard
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Yep, I slipped myself into this top 10 list. After several years of covering the Cult of Mac setups beat, I still rarely write about my own. But major new upgrades call for it. Since a spate of recent changes, I’m still rocking the M4 Pro MacBook Pro as my main daily driver. But I replaced dual 4K external displays with a pair of beautiful 5K touchscreen displays from a brand you may not know. And I dipped my toe into the world of serious mechanical keyboards for the first time.
Alogic's innovative new Studio Display competitor combines 5K resolution with touchscreen functionality. Also includes USB-C power delivery and a highly adjustable stand.
- Super clear 5K resolution
- 10-point multitouch screen
- Adjustable stand included
- Unremarkable speakers
- No Thunderbolt port
This Mac, Windows and Linux-compatible CNC aluminum mechanical keeb feels solid and sturdy and offers great typing sounds. It features triple-mode connectivity, RGB lighting and VIA/QMK customization.
- Solid build quality, premium feel and sound
- 3 connectivity modes
- Customizable (RGB lighting and key mapping)
- It's hefty; not very portable
- VIA/QMK customization can be tricky
- No Mac keycaps
9. Oddly square LG DualUp display spotted in wild with Mac Studio
Photo: [email protected]
Displays aren’t just going up from 4K to 5K and beyond, they’re also taking new forms. At the time, this setup was the first we’d seen with the LG DualUp monitor in real-world use. It features an unusual 16:18 aspect ratio. Here it’s paired with an older LG display and a Mac Studio. And this setup also includes Steve Jobs. Play some “Where’s Steve?” (not Waldo) and see if you can spot him.
LG's DualUp 28MQ750-C SDQHD (2560 x 2880p) nano IPS monitor with tilt, height and swivel stand features an 16:18 aspect ratio, DCI-P3 98% (Typ.) HDR10 and USB-C connectivity with 90 watts power delivery.
- Practical 16:18 aspect ratio
- Crisp 2560 x 2880p resolution
- 90W power delivery to laptop
- Highly adjustable stand
- Some might find the nearly square shape odd
8. Custom-built man shed houses killer dual-display Mac mini rig
Photo: [email protected]
Feast your eyes on a beautiful, custom-built backyard shed housing a hot Mac mini computer setup. It doesn’t even need heating because it’s in California. Jealous yet? The enviable setup pairs a Mac mini with dual HP displays, a Logitech webcam designed for the Pro Display XDR and some slick audio gear not seen in our setups coverage before.
HP's Z37 is a 27-inch monitor with UHD 4K (3840 x 2160p) resolution. Comes in black pearl color.
7. M2 Mac mini drives dual displays in rolling rig
Photo: [email protected]
“How many external displays can I easily run with my Mac and how” is a common question, and some Macs make it much easier to run more than one external monitor than others. In this computer setup, a software developer went out and bought a new M2 Mac mini specifically for its generosity in that regard. It really helped his highly portable setup, which features a Studio Display and an LG 4K screen in a rolling rig.
The 27-inch Apple Studio Display packs an impressive panel coupled with a six-speaker system and studio-quality microphones.
It’s not as beautiful as Apple's Pro Display XDR, but the Studio Display costs thousands less.
- Crystal clear 5K resolution
- Excellent color accuracy
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Expensive
- Lacks HDR
- Height-adjustable stand costs extra
Sporting clear 4K resolution on a compact screen, this IPS LED UHD monitor comes in black.
6. Dual curved displays set at crazy angles for sane reason
Photo: [email protected]
If you’re considering going with two external displays in your computer setup, you might find some inspiration in this MacBook Pro workstation with two slick gaming displays. The laptop drives two stacked, ultra-wide, curved displays that are mounted — and even carefully angled — for the best ergonomics, resulting no eye or neck strain.
This curved LCD gaming display features 1ms response time, WQHD 2K resolution, HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity, FreeSync and an adjustable stand.
5. Odd-couple dual displays suit MacBook rig
Photo: [email protected]
We see many, many dual-display computer setups in our coverage, with the vast majority being two screens of the same size, whether they’re oriented differently or not. But that’s not always the case. This efficient-looking M1 Pro MacBook Pro and Windows laptop rig sports different-size dual displays that even have different resolutions. But it works for the user, a systems engineer who works for a software developer.
The 43-inch Gigabyte Aorus display features a 144Hz refresh rate, 3820 x 2160p HBR3 resolution, NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, built-in noise reduction, 1ms response time and HDR 96% DCI-P3 color gamut.
4. Mac Studio-wielding designer adores dual Studio Displays
Photo: [email protected]
Two of the common laments among Mac users talking computer setups online? Too bad Studio Displays are so expensive, and when will Apple jack up that 60Hz refresh rate? But of course the monitors have legions of fans, especially among folks like designers. With this setup, a designer and video editor loves his pair of Studio Displays on a lovely monitor shelf, and says why. And other commenters get into a little dust-up defending Mac Studio from those who think the small-but-mighty M4 Mac mini is even better.
The M3 Ultra chip inside this Mac Studio delivers astonishing performance.
- Gorgeous Apple design
- M3 Ultra chip for extreme performance
- Lots of I/O capabilities
- High-performance computing comes at a high price
3. Dual 5K displays and giant DIY desk distinguish this rig
Photo: [email protected]
Here’s another Studio Display and LG 5K monitor combo. People often compare LG’s UltraFine 5K display to Apple’s Studio Display because they’re directly comparable, with the same size and resolution. But it’s not super-common to find the two in the same setup. That makes this dual MacBook Pro and dual 5K display setup something of a rarity. That, along with the rarely seen Wacom drawing tablet and the truly massive DIY desk, fashioned from a kitchen countertop and mechanized legs.
The 27-inch Apple Studio Display packs an impressive panel coupled with a six-speaker system and studio-quality microphones.
It’s not as beautiful as Apple's Pro Display XDR, but the Studio Display costs thousands less.
- Crystal clear 5K resolution
- Excellent color accuracy
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Expensive
- Lacks HDR
- Height-adjustable stand costs extra
This heavy duty, fully adjustable steel stand holds two computer screens. Comes in black, STAND-V002.
2. LG 5K monitor pairs beautifully with Studio Display
Photo: [email protected]
Apple’s beautiful, high-resolution Studio Display is notoriously expensive, starting at about $1,600 — so dual Studio Display computer setups are pretty rare. I also see Studios Displays paired with other options for external displays, as in today’s great-looking Mac Studio setup. And it turns out there are reasons beyond identical resolution to choose the LG 5K UltraFine display the users selected and loves. The use of a nice desk shelf for the Studio Display and an adjustable stand for the LG in portrait mode really boost this setup.
LG's IPS display with 5K (5120 x 2880p) resolution pairs well with Macs as well as the similar Studio Display. Features DCI-P3 99% color gamut and Thunderbolt 3 port.
- Crisp 5K (5120 x 2880p) resolution
- Pairs well with Macs and Studio Display
- DCI-P3 99% color gamut
- Costs less than Studio Display, but still pricey
1. Mac mini drives brilliant pair of well-mounted displays
Photo: [email protected]
Few things take a computer setup up a few notches more than a good monitor mount — especially when it features dual arms positioning two displays well off the desk. This M4 Mac mini setup enjoys a pair of solidly affordable 4K Asus displays mounted on a Huanuo Dual Monitor Stand with two highly adjustable arms for optimal positioning. Both the Asus displays and the dual-arm stand they’re mounted on — not to mention the mini but mighty desktop computer — are solid budget choices for any setup.
This 27-inch 4K HDR UHD resolution (3840p x 2160p) IPS monitor features100% sRGB/Rec. 709, ΔE < 2, Calman-verified color reproduction, and USB-C DisplayPort, HDMI and USB hub connectivity.
- Calman-verified color reproduction
- 4K resolution
- Broad connectivity
- 5K display are becoming widely available
This fully-adjustable monitor desk mount offers a choice of swivel VESA bracket with C clamp or a grommet mounting base. Fits 13-inch to 32-inch computer screens. Each arm holds up to 19.8 pounds.
- Easy installation
- Adjustability allows monitor positioning
- Affordable
- Some arms hold more weight
