How to Set Up 2+ Monitors For MacBooks: Easy Guide

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Here are all of the compatible hubs for this setup (29th December 2024): www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/displaylink-products-list?field_displaylink_category_value=universal_docking_stations

[@imsoswift]

Can I get 3 monitors on the hub?

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

@@imsoswift You can but it depends on which hub you go for, the updated link in the description should let you know which one you can get for your needs :)

[@rnbtv.]

Thanks Sean. This was the only video I found valuable even in 2024 Thanks for the above URL. It was immensely helpful to buy a compatible dockstation for my M1 MacBook.

[@alecowens9639]

Hi I’m looking at a few of these hubs and some say they are only compatible with windows, if I purchase the dongle can you confirm these all work with Mac

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

@@alecowens9639 I havent tested them all as it would be impractical. I can only suggest following their guidance on compatibility. Dongles don't make things compatible usually.

[@mariareyes4602]

I looked for almost 3 days on what the best way to make my dock work with my new Mac. This is by far the best video!!

[@resciarealestatenews]

finaly someone that shows step by step !! i had to sort through 50 different videos to find yours ! thank you

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

So happy I could help

[@enoudoh3382]

November 2023 and this is still relevant. Thanks for this❤

[@runbluemaddy1]

Thanks! I have followed the instructions and I now have a working set up. Excellent tutorial on how to get this working.

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

@@runbluemaddy1 Great to hear it worked!

[@h.harley-robinson7055]

Thanks!

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Wow, thank you so much!

[@katygrindal6960]

Thank you so much for this video. It was helpful to have it segmented so I can go back and watch over the parts I did not catch the first time. The list of things needed was helpful too. I was able to find everything I need. I have watched other videos but this one was the most straightforward and easy for a non-techie to understand. I have been struggling with this M1 issue since the new MacBook's were released. Thank you.

[@serdardogi2162]

Definitely the best solution.. you can find a used dock almost at the same price as cheap dongles. Thanks a lot!

[@ChrisStewart-y5t]

Thank you so much, I'm not very computer literate and have wasted several hours but watching this video and I now have it sorted in 10 minutes.

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Great to hear!

[@jimmybrown991]

What type of laptop are you using to set up your monitors

[@chrisstewart7388]

@@jimmybrown991MacBook air

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

@@jimmybrown991 In this video, I have an M1 Macbook Pro, but I now us an M2 Pro Mac Mini and have even tested this on an M3 laptop too. This setup also works on any Windows laptop too!

[@vasilpopov5772]

Getting 2 monitors has been a nightmare amongst Apple's marketing gimmicks. Thank you for making this an easy and simple process!

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

You're welcome

[@marcusburnettsr8911]

How important is the DisplayLink Manager?

[@emilkarolofficial]

Thank You so much! Finally after watching 50 Videos got the connection!

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Glad its working for you now!!

[@abhijitsengupta7177]

Thanks a ton for the lucid yet precise instructions! I was able to hook up my dual monitor setup without breaking a sweat. An alternate option for those who want to use the Dell D3100: You may also use a USB C to USB B cable to connect the Macbook to the Dell docking station.

[@redlotuschic]

Thank you! Ive been fumbling through a few videos until I found this one and this got my dual monitors working! Dec 2022!

[@Dezwrr]

You gelped me out sooo much. I have a different dongle" iVANKY 12-in-1 85W PD Dock". I downloaded the displaylink driver and it was a game changer, I have a similar set up like yours. Thanks soo much

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Great to hear it!

[@streetcred9585]

This worked perfectly on my M1 MacBook. Great video

[@ced8414]

Straight to the point, thank you.

[@BoldBrandFlakes]

Perfect, works for my D6000S docking station. I'm able to connect my M3 Macbook with no issues

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Great to hear, thanks for sharing :)

[@navnathdahibhate2464]

worked on M3 Macbook pro, Thank you!

[@nancyattoh8998]

This was so helpful - best explainer of all the videos I tried - thanks!

[@theitbay]

Thanks for putting together this very informative video. We've had a number of customers who have bought the Dell D3100 dock from us asking about this setup so we've sent them straight to your clip.

[@Rakiza]

Thanks mate. you have the best video on this topic that I have come across so far because you show the cables and how they should be connected.

[@nicanaval2667]

You made things so easy for beginners like. Thank youuu sooo much!

[@MLee-t5y]

Many thanks for the video. It helped us a lot!

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Great to hear!!

[@sravankumarg6902]

Thank you for the lovely video. Simple, clear and concise. Got my 2 monitor setup working with these steps.

[@Amber42000]

This was so helpful. Thank you so much for making it easy !

[@lakshmiprabharamesh8535]

Your video saved me a lot of time! Thank you very much for the detailed explanation. It was very helpful.

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Great to hear, thanks!

[@soccerchamp81]

Just set up my two monitors with my school's M1 macbook air following this wonderfully detailed tutorial! Thanks so much for helping, and even including the insomniacs bit.

[@garygasparyan280]

Hey, how were you abel to connect the Macbook Air M1 to two monitors, when I do mine only 1 monitor gets detected despite both hdmi connected tthrough a usb-c adapter I have. I dont know what else to do :( if possible can you please help me, thanks

[@soccerchamp81]

@@garygasparyan280 hey! i got the Dell hub, and then just followed the instructions from this video. i also downloaded display link which is the program you need to make sure two monitors would be displayed. lmk if you need further help!

[@jaskaran3819]

@@soccerchamp81 Can I use those 13 in 1 hub adapter for MacBooks from amazon which have got 2 HDMI ports in it,, would that work with displaylink ?? Or any lightning port to dual HDMI adapter,, I got both and neither or them are working,, just want to make sure that if it only works with D6000 or I'm missing something out,,, Thanks

[@soccerchamp81]

@@garygasparyan280 I think the only way is through the Dell Hub. A measly usb-c adapter won’t work

[@soccerchamp81]

@@jaskaran3819 No, you need the dell hub

[@AThoughtfulChat]

Thank you so much! Was trying to figure out why it wasnt working and didnt realize I had to download the driver - derp. Havent done that since the windows days - thanks.

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Glad it’s working!

[@billwight8603]

This was just excellent and well paced for us non-geeks.

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Cheers Bill, happy to help

[@moisurleweb]

Thanks! It was very usefull. I bought the dell box yesterday from amazon (Canada) and received it today and It works!

[@MarcoRosales]

Thank you so much for this video I don't know why I hadn't found it sooner, also, thank you so much for keeping it. Concise and super informative.

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Thanks for your kind message, happy to help

[@MathALCS]

Awesome man. The most detailed and helpful tutorial so far!

[@diegomartin3284]

Good morning, thank you very much for your valuable collaboration. Following the step by step everything is OK. Super video very well explained. total thanks

[@Kevin16890]

Thank you very much for the great video!!!!

[@lz9751]

Thank you! I use the same docking station as you. It's very helpful for me!!!

[@NolviaBarahona-b4m]

thank you for this video!! it works great!!

[@henrybrown3400]

Thank you, this worked perfectly!

[@HeidiPize]

Good evening, I have found your videos useful thus far. When I get to 2:47 on the video, I do not have the arrangement tab. I am operating on M1, Monterey, 12.6. Please help. Thank you.

[@douglasbianchezzi234]

Thank you sooooo much for this video!!!! hugs from brazil!!!! that help me aaaa looott!!!

[@chiragmalvi1327]

Hi Sean, Your instruction has helped at lot and my mac M1 works with 2 Acer monitors in extended mode. Thanks a lot for this great video.

[@williamlittle2811]

How?! :( I followed the instructions but I still don't see my 3rd monitor or "arrangements". I have a MacBook pro Monterrey 12

[@chuvaca629]

@@williamlittle2811 did you manage to solve it?

[@MinisterRickiLBlakeney]

@@williamlittle2811 I'm having the same problem... help!

[@You7aRe7My7LivE]

great video man, thanks for that. greetings from switzerland

[@nguyenvu-ul7op]

It works! thank you for your video.

[@ReelyboredJon]

This worked like a charm! Thank you

[@WithGiovanniR]

I was seriously ready to buy a another adapter. as my dell only worked on my microsoft. Can't believe all I needed to do was download and install a program. I thank you alot

[@awgaming5340]

thanks for the vid this works perfectly for my setup

[@bybzstudio]

you are a life saver!!

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

You're welcome!

[@williamsoto2308]

It works great, Thank you for the information.

[@Ascyr]

Thank you mate.

[@user-ck3up9cu6c]

You're a tech rockstar!

[@danmiller7709]

I already have this dock, getting a Macbook Air, glad to see it works well with the adapter and I don't need to buy another dock. (plus finding one with two HDMI outputs, not DisplayPort and Thunderbolt seemed difficult and expensive) Thanks for the video.

[@craigsmith2832]

How did you connect the docking station to your MacBook air?

[@ivanosus5633]

Has everything worked fine?

[@danmiller7709]

@@ivanosus5633 yeah, it can be finicky at times, but I’ve spent about 7 months jumping between Mac and Windows The display program eats some performance, that’s the worst part but I don’t do anything too intensive

[@ilyahan27]

And there is also a displayport input, that is, you can connect a third separate desktop? I really have dell alienware, and I need to connect 3 working separate monitors, I don't know if this station will go?

[@timo57890]

Thanks this was super helpful!!!

[@1-Random-Subscriber]

Finally, a solution that I can use in India also... Thanks!

[@andreazarate1057]

amazing video!!! Thank you!

[@colinricketts2235]

best Video. worked immedietly

[@paulpark5121]

You are a hero, sir.

[@Kingz_fr]

Thanks!!!! I can confirm this is working 100%

[@luisbaltodano227]

Thanks for the video.

[@Boxjelly77]

I really hope this works. I’ll check when I get home tonight.

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Good luck!

[@Boxjelly77]

@@SeansCreativeStudio it worked!!! Tnx

[@NuanDaa]

Hi I didn't get what is that cable at 1:47?

[@lokeshsoni90]

Thx ! Really like ur setup with two screens. Can ya pls send me link of those displays & what’s the dimensions of it

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

These are the BenQ Gw2480 23.8" 1080p monitors

[@martinblazek6659]

It works thank you

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

You're welcome!

[@lordwavybone]

Thank you

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

You're welcome

[@vadisquo9094]

Thank you Mr Cox.

[@FazeelJALEEL-jc9hc]

Hi Sam, Very helpful video. thank you so much. Can you pls send the model for this dongle?

[@jeffreyrega]

I have a new MacBook Air and it has no USB-A ports. It feels like this tutorial is missing a few steps for the Airs that only have USB-C ports. Is it possible to get a list of items needed to make this work for a MacBook Air (M1 chip, 2 USB-C ports)? Thank you!

[@jeffreyrega]

@@SeansCreativeStudio Watching the video, I saw a USB-B cable getting plugged into the Dell hub. But I didn't see that on the list - so wanted to double check - I feel like I am missing something in terms of connecting everything.

[@DiegoRFGonz88]

1:47 what type of cable is it?

[@chrisg3107]

Thank you so much for the video. Can you connect a MacBook 3 or 4 screen

[@orbardugo488]

Hi, Do you know if it works with macbook pro m2 processor?

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Yeah it will

[@HauntMeGaming]

Hello from Russia! And yes! Thank u so much! It helps me

[@malcomgovender1891]

Awesome thank you for this

[@leehuynh8470]

Sir. You have saved my life.

[@alsauba]

`does this works for the new macbook air m2?

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Yeah it will

[@alsauba]

@@SeansCreativeStudio I dont mind if you could be of help please. How can i reach you?

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

@@alsauba Hey Salisu, I can't do calls but this video should genuinely cover everything needed.

[@alsauba]

That's what I have.

[@staycalm9979]

Thanks for the great video and support. Some users reported mouse lag with the Dell 3100 dock on Amazon reviews. Did you notice any such issues? Thanks in advance.

[@staycalm9979]

@@SeansCreativeStudio Thanks a lot.

[@pascalmunerot]

Hello. Is it possible to switch off the laptop screen while keeping the two external ones on? Thanks.

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Yeah, its at the end of the video

[@Entertainment-vp4zj]

Great video... Thanks

[@FazeelJALEEL-jc9hc]

Hi Sean, Very helpful video. thank you so much. Can you pls send the model for this dongle? Nad is this work for MacBook Air that only supports for one monitor?

[@jowmarcosjow]

I use a Macbook Air M3 and I would like to work with two external monitors and the lids opened. What your you recommend as doc station?

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

All of the dock stations in the link (unpaid) via the description will work. I use a Macbook M3 Max now and use the same Dell hub as the video.

[@jowmarcosjow]

@@SeansCreativeStudio thank you Sean! You’re doing a great job! Best luck!

[@FélixDelFabro]

can i do it with hdmi splitter ??????????????????

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

No this will not work. The workflow requires you to use a DisplayLink-compatible hub such as the ones in the video description.

[@Bfloian62]

How do I remove the mirroring ?

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Double check the hub has DisplayLink - theres a link in the description

[@movlex077]

Thanks, it works !!!

[@javiersalazar7398]

Does this setup work with the M1 IMAC?

[@21ullas]

How can i have three different screens. I have connected my Macbook Air M1 2020 with two separate monitors one with VGA and another one with HDMI. But I cannot have view three different screens simultaneously.

[@trantor_9994]

Tank you so much. I just have a question. Is it posiible to rotate a monitor?, this is because I want to rotate one of my monitors on vertical.

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Yes, this should be fine, you will just need to set the orientation in the settings

[@abhishekshukla2745]

Nice video. I have also ordered M1 Macbook Pro. But on reditt in comment USB-A ports and USB-C ports on docking stations is not working. Is it true? Did you faced any issues like latency in move movement etc?

[@abhishekshukla2745]

@@SeansCreativeStudio Thanks!

[@prelexia1]

Outstanding

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Thanks

[@nachitoox]

Hi John, thanks for your video! Very well explained. I just have one question; isn't there another way, with all the time that has passed since these MacBooks were released, other than getting a DisplayLink-compatible hub? I'm concerned about the extra cost, as these hubs are not regular low-cost hubs

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

I had to discover this setup because the issue is caused by a hardware limitation on the M1 systems, when the M2 and newer systems have been coming out, it has meant that they don't have the same issue as they can use Thunderbolt for one of the monitors. However with M1, there are no other ways to make this work. There is a link in the description for the compatible hubs and you don't always need the latest and greatest to make this work. There should be a few more affordable options to get you up and running. Thanks for watching and commenting, I hope this helps!

[@juliemar97]

What is the connector that you got from apple? The one that connects from the laptop to the hub? you mentioned usbc to dongle? what is that?

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

There is a USB-B to USB-A that came with the hub and then the dongle from USB-A to USB-C

[@tommason3372]

Thanks it worked. I had to restart my MacBook but it definitely worked.

[@BorisPot22]

Thank you! For this method I need special monitors or I can buy any model?

[@BorisPot22]

@@SeansCreativeStudio 👍👍👍

[@preetieyez]

Hi been looking for this for a long time! Quick question, what's the cable at 1:41 connecting the MacBook to the dock?

[@ReelyboredJon]

@@SeansCreativeStudio is this needed to connect to the M1 Air?

[@ReelyboredJon]

@@SeansCreativeStudio thanks, at first I was trying to figure out what it was for but it makes sense. Thank you!

[@teddybanks3747]

I still don't see the arrangement option after I have installed the software. Any suggestions?

[@RobertoSanchez-m6j]

Hello! Will this be applicable for the M3 as well?

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

@@RobertoSanchez-m6j Hey Roberto, thanks for leaving a comment! This process with the DisplayLink hub will work with M3 (and any computer too!) I’m currently using the same setup for my Mac Mini M2 Pro.

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thanks!

[@hamzariazuddin424]

can you do this over the air on the tv

[@brandonglick914]

Wait does this charge your laptop as well? I've read conflicting things. thanks!

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

Hi Brandon, This workflow will not charge your laptop

[@carinadnebula]

I got the dual HDMI adapter and both displays are connected, however, it appears that in my Display settings only 1 monitor is detected, so its extending the same screen on both displays, rather than extending across 3 screens like I’ve done in the past and am looking to do now. I’m searching online for the answer, and I figured I’d also tell you in case you know an easy solution 😊 Thank you! Have a beautiful day

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

A dual HDMI adapter will not work, you will need a DisplayLink compatible hub as DisplayLink is doing all the work here.

[@carinadnebula]

@@SeansCreativeStudio I downloaded DisplayLink software and installed. What display link compatible hub do you recommend for new MacBook Air? Thanks and please add link to compatible product

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

@@carinadnebula I have a list in the video description which is up to date :)

[@carinadnebula]

@@SeansCreativeStudio Beloved, this list is so long and I dont know which would be right for me - it's like another language. I have a MacBook Air bought last fall - new. I have a Satechi dock which I then used a dual HDMI to connect to my two monitors. They are both on and connected, just not showing multiple, different image: only showing the same image produced twice (once on each monitor). I wonder if you can tell me which dock would be correct? The side of the MacBook connects with USBC and charger only. headphone jack on the other side. Thank you so much

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

@@carinadnebula ANY of those on that link would be fine.

[@rehmanwaseem3572]

brother please guide i have imac M3 same i am used

[@SeansCreativeStudio]

This process works the same for an M3 iMac - be sure to use a DisplayLink Hub. I have put a link in the description (unpaid) that includes all compatible hubs for this workflow.

[@Bergeronwebdesign]

Does the d3100 also charge the Mac while plugged in or do you need to have your charger plugged as well?

[@raghavanandjakkani7605]

Great Video. thank you for the info. I use a similar Dell docking station for my Work (windows Laptop) works great. And I am having an Early 2015 Mac Book Pro with Thunderbolt 2 ports. Trying to find a Thunderbolt 2 to USB-C cable to set up a Dual monitor for my Mac. No luck finding the cable. Can you help me with that? Thanks again.