{
  "name": "Desk Worthy MacBook external display compatibility data",
  "description": "Official-source Apple Silicon MacBook display limits and representative macOS dock transport records.",
  "dateModified": "2026-08-05",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://deskworthy.wxdesign.net/macbook-external-display-support/",
  "methodologyUrl": "https://deskworthy.wxdesign.net/editorial-policy/",
  "verificationMeaning": "Verified means supported by a linked Apple or manufacturer source; it does not mean Desk Worthy performed hands-on testing.",
  "hosts": [
    {
      "id": "air-m1",
      "label": "MacBook Air with M1 (2020)",
      "shortLabel": "Air M1",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 1,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 1,
      "maximumModeSummary": "One external display up to 6K at 60Hz",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/111883"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "air-m2",
      "label": "MacBook Air with M2 (2022)",
      "shortLabel": "Air M2",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 1,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 1,
      "maximumModeSummary": "One external display up to 6K at 60Hz",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/111867"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "base-m3",
      "label": "MacBook Air or 14-inch MacBook Pro with base M3",
      "shortLabel": "Base M3",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 1,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 2,
      "maximumModeSummary": "Two external displays require the laptop lid to be closed",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/117373"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "air-m4",
      "label": "MacBook Air with M4",
      "shortLabel": "Air M4",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 2,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 2,
      "maximumModeSummary": "Two external displays while the built-in display remains active",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/122212"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "pro-m2-m3-pro",
      "label": "MacBook Pro with M2 Pro or M3 Pro",
      "shortLabel": "M2/M3 Pro",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 2,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 2,
      "maximumModeSummary": "Up to two external displays; exact modes depend on port routing",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/101571"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "pro-m2-m3-max",
      "label": "MacBook Pro with M2 Max or M3 Max",
      "shortLabel": "M2/M3 Max",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 4,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 4,
      "maximumModeSummary": "Up to four external displays; exact modes depend on port routing",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/101571"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "pro-m4-base-pro",
      "label": "MacBook Pro with M4 or M4 Pro",
      "shortLabel": "M4 / M4 Pro",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 2,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 2,
      "maximumModeSummary": "Up to two external displays",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/101571"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "pro-m4-max",
      "label": "MacBook Pro with M4 Max",
      "shortLabel": "M4 Max",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 4,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 4,
      "maximumModeSummary": "Up to four external displays",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/101571"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "pro-m5-base",
      "label": "MacBook Pro with base M5",
      "shortLabel": "Base M5",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 2,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 2,
      "maximumModeSummary": "Up to two external displays",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/101571"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "pro-m5-pro",
      "label": "MacBook Pro with M5 Pro",
      "shortLabel": "M5 Pro",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 3,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 3,
      "maximumModeSummary": "Up to three external displays",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/101571"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    },
    {
      "id": "pro-m5-max",
      "label": "MacBook Pro with M5 Max",
      "shortLabel": "M5 Max",
      "verification": "verified",
      "lidOpenExternalDisplays": 4,
      "lidClosedExternalDisplays": 4,
      "maximumModeSummary": "Up to four external displays",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://support.apple.com/en-us/101571"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31"
    }
  ],
  "docks": [
    {
      "id": "ugreen-revodok-pro-209",
      "label": "UGREEN Revodok Pro 209",
      "model": "90912",
      "verification": "verified",
      "transport": "displaylink",
      "transportLabel": "USB-C with DisplayLink",
      "displayLinkRequired": true,
      "macMaximumExtendedDisplays": 2,
      "maximumSingleDisplay": {
        "width": 3840,
        "height": 2160,
        "refreshHz": 60
      },
      "maximumMultiDisplay": {
        "width": 3840,
        "height": 2160,
        "refreshHz": 60
      },
      "powerDeliveryW": 100,
      "officialProductUrl": "https://us.ugreen.com/products/ugreen-revodok-pro-209-docking-station",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://us.ugreen.com/products/ugreen-revodok-pro-209-docking-station"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31",
      "exactOfferIds": [],
      "caveats": [
        "DisplayLink software and macOS Screen Recording permission are required.",
        "Only two of the four HDMI/DisplayPort connectors can be active at once.",
        "Marketplace search pages are not treated as an exact-model purchase link."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "plugable-ud-ultc4k",
      "label": "Plugable UD-ULTC4K",
      "model": "UD-ULTC4K",
      "verification": "verified",
      "transport": "displaylink",
      "transportLabel": "USB-C with DisplayLink and Alt Mode",
      "displayLinkRequired": true,
      "macMaximumExtendedDisplays": 3,
      "maximumSingleDisplay": {
        "width": 3840,
        "height": 2160,
        "refreshHz": 60
      },
      "maximumMultiDisplay": {
        "width": 3840,
        "height": 2160,
        "refreshHz": 60
      },
      "powerDeliveryW": 96,
      "officialProductUrl": "https://plugable.com/products/ud-ultc4k",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://plugable.com/products/ud-ultc4k"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31",
      "exactOfferIds": [],
      "caveats": [
        "DisplayLink drivers are required on macOS 11 or later.",
        "macOS Screen Recording permission is required for DisplayLink output.",
        "HDCP-protected streaming is not supported through the DisplayLink outputs."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "caldigit-ts4",
      "label": "CalDigit TS4",
      "model": "TS4",
      "verification": "verified",
      "transport": "native-thunderbolt",
      "transportLabel": "Native Thunderbolt 4 / USB4",
      "displayLinkRequired": false,
      "macMaximumExtendedDisplays": 2,
      "maximumSingleDisplay": {
        "width": 7680,
        "height": 4320,
        "refreshHz": 60
      },
      "maximumMultiDisplay": {
        "width": 6016,
        "height": 3384,
        "refreshHz": 60
      },
      "highRefreshConditional": true,
      "powerDeliveryW": 98,
      "officialProductUrl": "https://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-station-4/",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-station-4/"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31",
      "exactOfferIds": [],
      "caveats": [
        "The MacBook host display limit still applies; the dock cannot create extra native display streams.",
        "High-resolution and high-refresh modes depend on the Mac GPU, monitor, cable, port routing, DSC, and adapter type.",
        "HDMI adapters on current Apple Silicon Macs may limit the path to 4K at 60Hz."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "plugable-tbt4-udz",
      "label": "Plugable TBT4-UDZ",
      "model": "TBT4-UDZ",
      "verification": "verified",
      "transport": "native-thunderbolt",
      "transportLabel": "Native Thunderbolt 4 / USB4",
      "displayLinkRequired": false,
      "macMaximumExtendedDisplays": 2,
      "maximumSingleDisplay": {
        "width": 3840,
        "height": 2160,
        "refreshHz": 60
      },
      "maximumMultiDisplay": {
        "width": 3840,
        "height": 2160,
        "refreshHz": 60
      },
      "powerDeliveryW": 100,
      "officialProductUrl": "https://plugable.com/products/tbt4-udz",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://plugable.com/products/tbt4-udz"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31",
      "exactOfferIds": [],
      "caveats": [
        "Base M1, M2, and M3 Macs remain limited to one native external display through Thunderbolt.",
        "Dual-display support requires a Mac host that exposes two native display streams.",
        "USB-C-only fallback can reduce display and data capability."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "plugable-ud-msth2",
      "label": "Plugable UD-MSTH2",
      "model": "UD-MSTH2",
      "verification": "verified",
      "transport": "mst",
      "transportLabel": "USB-C DisplayPort MST",
      "displayLinkRequired": false,
      "macMaximumExtendedDisplays": 1,
      "maximumSingleDisplay": {
        "width": 3840,
        "height": 2160,
        "refreshHz": 60
      },
      "maximumMultiDisplay": {
        "width": 3840,
        "height": 2160,
        "refreshHz": 60
      },
      "powerDeliveryW": 65,
      "officialProductUrl": "https://plugable.com/products/ud-msth2",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://plugable.com/products/ud-msth2"
      ],
      "verifiedAt": "2026-07-31",
      "exactOfferIds": [],
      "caveats": [
        "Plugable does not recommend this MST dock for a MacBook dual-extended-display setup.",
        "macOS does not expose two extended displays through this MST path; only one external display is supported.",
        "The dual 4K claim applies to supported Windows and ChromeOS hosts, not macOS."
      ]
    }
  ]
}