Natively over USB-C, Macs can only connect to one external display in Extended mode (where the screen extends beyond what you can see on the laptop screen, as opposed to Mirrored mode that replicates exactly what you get on the laptop screen) but you’ll get two Extended mode screens over a Thunderbolt connection. If you want to connect more than one external display to your MacBook you’ll need a Thunderbolt dock, rather than a USB-C dock. You can turn that 13in laptop screen into an iMac-sized 27in or even larger monitor by adding an extra display-or connect two large screens to extend your screen across your whole desk. If you use your laptop as your principal computer, you would do well to consider attaching at least one larger display to create a hybrid desktop/laptop setup (with a keyboard, mouse and printer all available via a single connection to your MacBook). If you don’t require the ultimate bandwidth for the fastest data transfer and best screen frame rates or resolutions, a USB-C dock might suit your purposes and save you money. We have included some cheaper non-Thunderbolt USB-C docks.

That said, there are still some great-and often more affordable-TB3 docks available, and most Apple users won’t see much difference between TB3 and TB4-the Thunderbolt 4 standard was mainly about getting Windows laptops up to speed, although there are technical benefits for MacBook Pro users, such as smarter daisy-chaining and faster PCI hard-drive connections. You may need to update your drivers or take your computer in for servicing.If your MacBook is equipped with Thunderbolt 4, then you really should buy a TB4 dock if you need more ports than those 14/16in laptops already possess.īuying a Thunderbolt 4 dock is a wise decision based on future-proofing even for owners of TB3 Macs as the standard is backwards compatible with TB3 and USB-C. If these steps don’t fix the problem, it may be due to an outdated driver, or a hardware fault.

If you are connecting through a Mini DisplayPort adapter, make sure your Mac can send audio through Mini DisplayPort. To troubleshoot this issue, first check that your HDMI device is selected as the output device in System Preferences > Sound. It is possibe that the HDMI port on your MacBook Pro is not working properly. Troubleshooting MacBook Pro HDMI Connection Issues Additionally, the port supports CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) commands, allowing compatible devices to be controlled from the laptop. The port supports up to 32 channels of uncompressed audio, as well as HDCP 2.2 content protection for streaming services such as Netflix or YouTube. HDMI 2.0 ports are capable of carrying video and audio signals up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second (FPS), and can also carry audio-only signals such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. The 2021 MacBook Pro models include a HDMI 2.0 port, the current standard for HDMI. What HDMI Capability Does the MacBook Pro Have?

Macbook hdmi port