external displays

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on external displays:

14-inch M3 MacBook Pro gains multi-display support

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M3 MacBook Pro multi-display support
Updates will soon enable all M3 MacBooks to drive multiple displays in clamshell mode.
Photo: Apple

The new M3 MacBook Air laptops Apple rolled out Monday support up to two 5K (or lower rsolution) external displays in clamshell mode. And now the base 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro will add multi-display support, according to a report.

In the case of the entry-level MacBook Pro, which uses the same chip but lacks multi-display functionality, support will come in the form of a software update. M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro models already support the feature.

Turn iPad or iPhone into full-featured laptop with NexDock [Review] ★★★★

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NexDock review: Turn iPad or iPhone into full-featured laptop★★★★
No, NexDock isn't a laptop that runs iPadOS. It's better.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

NexDock lets you easily add a 13-inch external screen, keyboard and trackpad to your iPad or iPhone 15 and make them even more useful. Plus, there are bonus features: The all-in-one accessory recharges the Apple device, and includes a microSD card reader and an additional USB-C port.

I tested the Nex’s NexDock for this review, and found it a great fit for iPad — and a somewhat problematic one for iPhone 15, though a third-party app helps. Here’s why.

This 4K portable monitor is beautiful and surprisingly affordable [Review] ★★★★

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KYY K3-3 Portable Monitor -- simulated screen image★★★★
The KYY K3-3 Portable Monitor is 4K and looks much better than you might expect given its price.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The KYY K3-3 Portable Monitor adds a high-quality second screen to your Mac or iPad. Even some iPhones. It’s 15.6 inches and has a 4K resolution, so it’s designed for work and play wherever you go.

I tested the reasonably priced second screen in my home office and when working remotely to see how it stands up to real-world use. I like it more than I expected to.

Cutting-edge espresso 4K touchscreen expands to 17 inches

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espresso 17 Pro external touchscreen for Mac or Windows
This 17.6-inch touchscreen and stand are ready to travel with your MacBook.
Photo: espresso Displays

The espresso 17 Pro answers the demand for a high-end portable monitor for MacBooks. It sports a 17.3-inch display at a 4K resolution, but it comes in a sleek package ready for on-the-go use.

Beyond increasing the user’s workspace, the display includes a touchscreen for digital artists looking to add this capability to their Mac.

New Samsung ViewFinity S9 takes on Studio Display

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A new competitor to Apple's 5K Studio Display arrives.
A new competitor to Apple's 5K Studio Display arrives.
Photo: Samsung

The new 27-inch Samsung ViewFinity S9 Monitor with 5K resolution started shipping to addresses in the United States Monday, the company said. It comes along with specs and price very similar to Apple’s popular Studio Display.

The new monitor, which won a CES Innovation Award earlier this year, costs $1,599 — just like Studio Display. But Samsung’s comes with a tilt- and heigh-adjustable stand while Apple charges $400 for one.

Best add-on portable displays for MacBook or iPad

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Espresso Display V2
Take an external display with you when you travel. Here are some of the best.
Photo: espresso Displays

External screens for MacBook or iPad aren’t just convenient in the office — they’re also great to use on the go. There are a range of portable external displays on the market, including some with touchscreens.

Here are my recommendations for the best screens ready to go with you to a coffee shop or Paris.

Add 2 external displays and zippy charging with new 9-in-1 dock

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Get two big external displays going with your M1 MacBook.
Get two big external displays going with your M1 MacBook.
Photo: Ugreen

Ugreen’s latest multiport docking station — sporting nine ports for most workstation connectivity needs — is helpful in several ways, including if you want to extend an M1 MacBook’s external-display capacity from one to two.

The device also offers 100 watts fast charging plus fast file transfer via USB-A and USB-C ports.

Double your screen real estate anywhere you go with this great-looking portable monitor [Review] ★★★★

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KYY 15.6-inch 1080P USB-C Portable Monitor review★★★★
Be more productive on the go with this great-looking portable monitor
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Slip the KYY 15.6-inch 1080P USB-C Portable Monitor in the same bag as your notebook and you can always count on having more screen space to work.

M1 iPad users looking forward to external display support should also think about this screen. Or attach it to your Switch for more fun on the run.

I used KYY’s monitor for a couple of weeks. Here’s why I find it surprisingly good.

Hands on: Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 brings the floating app windows we asked for

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Hands on: Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 brings the floating app windows we asked for
iPad gets a lot more Mac-like in iPaOS 16. Here's what it's like to use the new multitasking features.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

One of the most-requested iPad features is here. Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 puts applications in resizable, floating windows. I’ve tested the first beta of the new system for several days now, and there’s a lot to like. And there’s plenty of frustration too. But some of that comes from this being an early beta.

Here’s my hands-on experience with the iPad’s new multitasking system, and why I think it’s going to change the way many of us use our tablets.

M2 MacBooks support only 1 external monitor, but there might be workarounds

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2022 MacBook Air with M2 processor
The new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro can handle just one external display.
Photo: Apple

Anyone with an eye on the newly announced MacBook Air or 13-inch MacBook Pro should be aware that they have a limitation: each supports only a single external monitor. It seems that’s all the Apple M2 processor can handle.

But the same is true for MacBooks with the original M1 chip, and workarounds were developed for these devices that will likely work with the M2 models.

Espresso Display V2 gives you the touchscreen Mac you’ve been craving [Review]

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Espresso Display V2 review
The Espresso Display V2 is a gorgeous external display that’s also a touchscreen.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Although Apple refuses to make a touchscreen Mac, the Espresso Display V2 is ready to fill in the gap. There are 15.6-inch and 13.3-inch versions of the very slim external display, and both support touch and an optional stylus.

I tested the screen with a MacBook and iPad to see how well it performs in ordinary use. And I also tried out the stylus as well as the stand for desktop use and the case for taking the display on the go.

This gorgeous 15.6-inch portable monitor will make your eyes pop [Review]

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InnoView Portable Monitor INVPM001 review
The InnoView Portable Monitor is ideal for work, school, gaming or video.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The InnoView 15.6-inch Portable Monitor might be everything you’re looking for in a second screen for your MacBook. First off, it’s beautiful. And it’s very slim and lightweight. Plus it works with a wide variety of devices: Mac, iPad, even iPhone with the right adapter.

I used InnoView’s on-the-go display for both work and entertainment. Here’s all the many ways it impressed me. And its one flaw.

Use Mac as external display for PC with Luna Display update

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Use Mac as external display for PC with Luna Display update
If you have to use a PC, you can turn your Mac into its second display.
Photo: Astropad

Luna Display 5.1 adds the ability to use any Mac as a wireless second display for a PC. And that’s just one of the new features in the update, which also adds support for using a 4K or 5K computer as a second screen.

These features build on this device’s basic ability to turn an iPad into a Mac display.

Turn iPad into external monitor for Windows PC with Luna Display 5.0

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Turn iPad into external monitor for Windows PC with Luna Display 5.0
You can easily expand your Windows PC’s working area by turning your iPad into a second screen.
Photo: Astropad

Luna Display 5.0 allows Windows PC users to make their iPad into a second screen. A hardware/software combination from Astropad lets the two disparate computers communicate via a wireless adapter for USB-C or HDMI.

The app could already turn an iPad into a Mac display with a dongle.

Add dual 4K monitors to M1 MacBooks with Hyper’s new adapters

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Add dual 4K monitors to M1 MacBooks with Hyper's new adapters
With the HyperDrive Dual 4K HDMI 3-in-1 USB-C Adapter you can easily connect a pair of displays to an M1 MacBook.
Photo: Hyper

A pair of adapters just launched by Hyper let MacBooks with an Apple M1 processor connect to dual HDMI monitors. Apple says the macOS notebooks can only use one external display, but users found a workaround. And Hyper built this workaround into its latest accessories.

There’s a basic HyperDrive Dual 4K HDMI adapter, plus a second version that offers additional ports.

Why you should add a second screen to your iPhone

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Connect your iPhone to a second screen for fun... and maybe even productivity.
Connect a big screen to your iPhone to watch movies and play games. And maybe even be productive.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Your iPhone is already one of the most useful things you own, but it can do even more if you hook it to a large second screen. Making the connection simply requires an adapter, and doing so opens up quite a few entertainment — and even some productivity — options.

iOS and iPhone are surprisingly powerful, and are being held back by the small display. Here’s what you get with a bigger one.

Get more productive with Vissles’ attractive portable display [Review]

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Vissles-M review
Easily expand your working space, or enjoy a movie on a larger display, with the Vissles-M.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A portable monitor makes you more productive on the go. And the 15.6-inch Vissles-M is a thin and lightweight LCD screen that easily connects to a Mac or iPad Pro through its USB-C port.

I tested this affordable external display in a variety of conditions, and used it for both for work and fun. Here’s how it held up.