Apple's transition to silicon, beginning with the M1 chip in late 2020 and continuing with the M2, M3, and M4 chips, has led to significant advancements in speed and power efficiency for MacBooks. These enhancements have solidified Mac's position in the competitive landscape of personal computing. However, one aspect that hasn't expanded in parallel with these performance upgrades is the capability to connect multiple external monitors directly to MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, especially the MacBook Air.

For users of the M1, M2, and M3 series chips, external monitor support differs based on the model. The standard M1 and M2 chips (without any suffix) are limited to a single external monitor. However, the M1 Pro, M2 Pro, M1 Max, and M2 Max chips support up to two and four external monitors, respectively, through Type-C and HDMI connections. The M3 series brings a new advancement: even the standard M3 chip now supports up to two external displays with the built-in display off, expanding the visual workspace and improving multitasking efficiency.

With the new M4 series, Apple takes multi-display support to another level. The standard M4 and M4 Pro chips each support up to two 6K external monitors, while the M4 Max offers support for up to four external displays: three at 6K resolution over Thunderbolt and an additional 4K display over HDMI. This added flexibility makes the M4 series ideal for professionals requiring complex, multi-screen setups.

*The MacBook Air (M3, 2024) supports up to two external displays(with the laptop lid closed).

For MacBook users frustrated by the limitations on connecting two or three external monitors, DisplayLink technology offers a widely trusted and reliable solution that works across the entire MacBook lineup. Many MacBook models, especially those with standard M-series chips, natively support only one or two external displays, limiting options for users who rely on multi-monitor setups. DisplayLink technology overcomes this by using software to manage video output, bypassing the MacBook’s hardware limitations. By converting video data over USB, DisplayLink enables multiple monitors to be connected and used simultaneously, even on MacBooks that don’t natively support them. As the most widely used and stable solution on the market, DisplayLink is ideal for achieving seamless, dependable multi-monitor support across all MacBooks.

* MacBook with M1, M2, M3 chip can only get mirrored dual display.

BUY NOW - DP1310 USB-C Hybrid Dock

Among the many leading docks popular with MacBook users—such as Plugable, TobenONE, Caldigit, and Anker—the BenQ beCreatus DP1310 stands out with unique features that make it an ideal choice for MacBook Pro and Air, delivering top-tier performance for both multi-display and multi-device setups.

Dual Input Support: Unlike most docks—including those from Plugable, TobenONE, Caldigit, and Anker—DP1310 offers both USB-C and HDMI 2.1 inputs. This dual-input design allows users to display two sources simultaneously on different monitors, making it easy to game on one screen while accessing online guides, streaming music, watching videos, or viewing live streams on the other.

Triple 4K 60Hz and 4K 120Hz Support: Powered by the latest DisplayLink chipset, DP1310 supports up to three external monitors through a single USB-C input, each at 4K 60Hz, creating a seamless and expansive workspace ideal for productivity and multitasking on MacBooks. Paired with BenQ MA series monitors, this setup delivers exceptional clarity and fluidity for an enhanced viewing experience. Additionally, DP1310’s HDMI 2.1 OUT port allows an HDMI 2.1 input source to achieve 4K 120Hz on one of the connected displays, providing a smoother, more immersive experience that’s perfect for gaming on consoles like the PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X/S.

Powerful 180W Total Output: DP1310 provides a robust 180W of total power, including 100W fast charging for your MacBook and multiple ports to charge other peripherals simultaneously. One USB-C port even supports PD 36W charging, ideal for fast-charging smartphones or tablets. With its high-capacity 180W supply, DP1310 ensures stable performance even when fully loaded, allowing all connected devices to operate smoothly without power issues.

Enhanced Cooling with Aluminum Alloy Shell: DP1310 features a high-quality aluminum alloy shell that strengthens heat dissipation, while its ridged surface increases surface area to further boost cooling efficiency. This advanced thermal design ensures stable performance, allowing all connected devices to operate reliably without overheating issues.

DP1310 combines top-tier display support, powerful 180W charging, and efficient heat dissipation, making it ideal for high-demand, multi-tasking setups. With dual-source inputs (USB-C and HDMI), it seamlessly connects both desktop and laptop devices or pairs a laptop with a gaming console. When used with BenQ MA series monitors, DP1310 maximizes the productivity and capabilities of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, delivering a fully integrated, multi-screen, and multi-source experience.

With a multi-monitor setup comes the need for balanced illumination and eye protection. The ScreenBar Halo offers this balanced illumination with back lighting mode, which allows you to switch between three light modes to balance the contrast glare between the screen and its surroundings.​ It comes with a wireless controller to provide more flexibility in your desk space, and you can control 2 ScreenBar Halo’s with one controller, making it easier than ever to have a multi-monitor setup with excellent illumination.

Here's a full explanation on how to set up your two lightbars with one controller.

My Macbook Desk Setup for Coding + Content Creation: Jon from "Your Friend In Tech" dives into how the BenQ beCreatus DP1310 optimizes his desk setup for coding and content creation. 

This MacBook Dock Has What Others Don’t - BenQ DP1310 Review (2024): Justin Miller reviews the unique features of the BenQ DP1310 that set it apart from other MacBook docks in his 2024 video.