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How Apple Silicon on a M1 Mac changes monitor support and what you can connect

Macs with the M1 processor can run the Pro Display XDR at full resolution

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The Macs with the new Apple Silicon M1 chip each have new port configurations and more processing power than ever, but monitor configurations have changed. Here's what monitors you can connect to the new Macs, and how they compare to the Intel Macs that they replaced.

Apple has included Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports in their new Macs running M1 processors. The new Macs released include the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and the Mac mini.

These are the monitors and configurations Apple says works with the new machines.

Mac mini

The Mac mini with an M1 processor can run a single external display using the DisplayPort 1.4 rating in the Thunderbolt 3 spec. This means you can have a single 6K monitor like the Pro Display XDR or a single 4K monitor attached at any time through the USB-C ports.

The M1 Mac mini can run a second monitor via the HDMI 2.0 port which supports up to 4K connections.

The Intel Mac mini has support for up to two 4K displays via Thunderbolt 3 and one 4K display via HDMI, or one 5K display via Thunderbolt 3 and one 4K display via HDMI. The Intel Mac mini was unable to run 6K displays, as it lacked the necessary controller for running external displays at that resolution.

MacBook Air

The MacBook Air with an M1 processor can connect only a single external display at a time, in parallel with the internal display. It supports up to 6K at 60Hz so monitors like the Pro Display XDR will work fine.

The 2020 MacBook Air with Intel could connect up to two 4K displays, one 5K display, or one 6K display using the Thunderbolt 3 ports, beyond the internal display.

MacBook Pro

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 processor can connect only a single external display at a time in conjunction with the laptop's screen. It supports up to 6K at 60Hz just like the MacBook Air.

The Intel 13-inch MacBook Pro allowed two 4K displays, one 5K display, or one 6K display using the four Thunderbolt 3 ports, in conjunction with the built-in display.

Apple's M1 is the reason for the number of external display limitations, since macOS can run multiple external displays on Intel variants. So, essentially each Mac with Apple Silicon can only run one external monitor via a Thunderbolt 3 port, and the Mac mini is the exception due to having an additional HDMI port.

💬 54 Comments

neilm

said about 2 years ago

Very surprised the M1 MBP can only support a single external monitor. Probably half our current MBP users have a dual monitor setup, usually a pair of 4K, in addition to the built in display. This limitation takes the M1 off my list.

Clearly it’s not an inherent limitation of the M1 GPU, since the M1 mini can drive dual monitors.

Mike Wuerthele

said about 2 years ago

neilm said:

Very surprised the M1 MBP can only support a single external monitor. Probably half our current MBP users have a dual monitor setup, usually a pair of 4K, in addition to the built in display. This limitation takes the M1 off my list.

Clearly it’s not an inherent limitation of the M1 GPU, since the M1 mini can drive dual monitors.

So can the M1 in the MBP or MBA. The internal display just counts as one of the two.

It is absolutely a limitation of the M1.

randominternetperson

said about 2 years ago

Thanks for this article. Personally I find these mare targeted pieces (in this case about monitor support) a very useful addition to the more general (much longer) articles.

Hap

said about 2 years ago

To be clear. The ports are still USB3/TB3. They are not USB 4.

USB 4 would mean USB data rates of 40Gbps regardless of TB support. That is not the case for these ports.

According to Apple, the ports support this:

Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s)
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)

Yes, they have TB3, but USB4 does not require TB to operate at those speeds.

Mike Wuerthele

said about 2 years ago

Hap said:

To be clear. The ports are still USB3/TB3. They are not USB 4.

USB 4 would mean USB data rates of 40Gbps regardless of TB support. That is not the case for these ports.

According to Apple, the ports support this:
Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s)
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)

Yes, they have TB3, but USB4 does not require TB to operate at those speeds.

They are USB4.

While the TB3 thing is correct, Apple has told us that they support full USB4 speeds, and use a USB 4 controller, making them beyond a shadow of a doubt, USB4. Because a port supports a speed, does not mean it is limited to those speeds.

For the time being, though, there isn't very much around in regards to peripherals that support USB4.

Mac mini

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

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