#Multiple screens for mac pro#

If your machine doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can plug a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter into the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port on the laptop. Once you do that, your machine will identify and use the second monitor.

#Multiple screens for mac pro#

The easiest non-Apple monitor to connect to an Air or Pro is one with an HDMI output, since most recent Mac laptops have an HDMI port. They’re identical to the methods you use for non-Apple monitors, and we’ll look at those next.Ĭonnecting a Non-Apple Monitor to a MacBook There are other ways you can connect Apple monitors to your MacBook if you don’t want to (or can’t) use Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt for some reason. The Thunderbolt ports on some Pros also support daisy chaining (connecting as many as six monitors or other devices in series), but once again Apple doesn’t “officially” support that process. However, a maximum of four can be 4K models, and Apple doesn’t “officially” offer support for adding that many monitors. Some MacBook Pros can support two external Apple monitors, and some Pros with six Thunderbolt ports can actually support as many as six extra monitors. If you run into a version mismatch for Thunderbolt you can find Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapters, although the adapter sold by Apple doesn’t support MiniDisplay Port. Turn both devices back on, and your machine will recognize the new monitor automatically and display your desktop on both screens. Next, take the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable that’s attached to the second monitor, and plug it into the appropriate port on your laptop. With everything turned off, find the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port (they look the same) on your MacBook recent models of MacBook Pros will have multiple Thunderbolt ports, but now have a USB port instead of a Mini DisplayPort. Let’s start with the easiest task: connecting a second monitor (the laptop’s monitor is considered the first) if you’re using an Apple Cinema or Apple Thunderbolt display. But it only requires a few extra steps if you’re using monitors from other manufacturers.Ĭonnecting Another Apple Monitor to a MacBook The process is a breeze if you’re using a second Apple monitor, thanks to the Mini DisplayPorts which were standard on the company’s laptops for years and the more recent Thunderbolt ports now standard on most newer Mac laptops. Today, it’s relatively simple to have two or more monitors running on your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. Only a few years ago, hooking up dual displays to Apple products was a major pain. In any of those cases, dual monitors are definitely useful – and definitely cool-looking. You might simply be trying to impress your friends. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a design professional, someone who’s looking to increase productivity at the keyboard or a computer geek. Back to Learning center Learn About Connecting Dual Monitors To A MacBook Air Or Pro