The MacBook Air is known for its sleek design and portability, but what if you need the productivity boost of dual monitors? If you’ve recently purchased a MacBook Air with an M1 or M2 chip, you might have discovered that it doesn’t natively support dual displays. Fear not!
In this article, we’ll show you how to use dual monitors with your MacBook Air, unlocking its full potential for work and creativity.
The Dual Monitor Dilemma
The MacBook Air is a fantastic laptop, but if you rely on dual monitors for work or other tasks, you might have felt limited by its lack of native dual display support. Many suggest upgrading to the more expensive MacBook Pro models, but what if you adore your lightweight MacBook Air? Fortunately, there’s a solution.
What Is a Dual Monitor Hub?
Before we dive into the solution, let’s understand what a dual monitor hub is. It’s a device that enables you to connect multiple monitors to your laptop or computer, even when your hardware doesn’t natively support it. The key ingredient here is DisplayLink technology.
FAQs for MacBook Air (M1/M2) Dual Display Monitors
Q: What Dual Monitor Hub/Display Works with MacBook Air?
A: The go-to option for MacBook Air (M1/M2) users is the USB 3.0 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – 4K 60Hz by StarTech.
Q: Compatibility with M1/M2 MacBook Airs
A: Yes, it works seamlessly with these models. Just download a free DisplayLink driver, and you’re good to go.
Q: Dual Monitors for Both Mac and PC
A: Absolutely. It’s plug and play for PCs, and for Macs, a quick driver download is all you need.
Q: USB-A or USB-C Connections?
A: The model we recommend has a USB-A connection, so you might need a USB-A to USB-C adapter. This adapter is readily available and budget-friendly.
Q: MacBook Air Ports and Dual Monitors
A: Even if your MacBook Air has multiple USB ports, connecting two USB-to-DisplayPort or HDMI cables won’t give you dual monitors. It’s a hardware limitation of the M1/M2 chips.
Connecting Three External Monitors
Exploring the Triple 4K StarTech Dock
While we can’t provide personal experience with using three external monitors, we’ve come across the Triple 4K StarTech dock, which claims to support this setup for M1/M2 MacBooks. It offers options for both DisplayPort and HDMI connections.
Share Your Triple Monitor Experience
If you try this setup, please share your feedback, and we’ll update this guide to assist others.
Opting for HDMI Connections
A Reader’s Recommendation: HDMI DisplayLink Adapter
One of our readers, Flemming, found an HDMI DisplayLink adapter by StarTech that works with M1/M2 MacBooks. This adapter includes an SD card reader and connects via USB-C, aligning with the MacBook’s ports.
USB-C Convenience
This adapter is an excellent choice if you own a USB-C-only MacBook Air, saving you from additional adapters.
Specs of the MacBook Air Used in the Demo
For the demo, we used a 2022 MacBook Air with the M2 chip and 24GB of RAM. However, this DisplayLink adapter should work regardless of your RAM size.
Conclusion
In wrapping up this guide, we hope you can now stop scouring YouTube videos and Reddit forums for answers. If you own a new MacBook Air with the M1/M2 chip and desire dual or even triple external monitors, you don’t need to break the bank for a MacBook Pro. The solution lies in a DisplayLink adapter. While there are rumors that Apple might add native dual monitor support, it’s best to rely on existing solutions for now.
Choose the sleek and lightweight MacBook Air that suits your style, and with the right adapter, you can enjoy the productivity and versatility of dual monitors. Stay efficient, stay creative, and make the most of your MacBook Air’s capabilities.
