[MAC] What is the cheapest way to extend 2 -1080 monitors on macbook M1 max?

[qport]

Hi,

Everywhere I see that the dongles only work with one external monitor and the second one mirrors the first.

Is there a cheap and easy way to use 2 external monitors without buying 300e dock station?

They have HDMI output only, simple 1080 60hz 24inch Samsung monitors.

 

Thanks!

[Kilrah]

One monitor connected to the HDMI, and one to one of the USB-Cs... or 2 on separate USB-Cs.

[dilpickle]

You'll need at least one Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter.

[qport]

so if I have two separate hdmi -> thunderbolts and connect them, they will behave as expected and there will be no mirroring going on?

is there a way to use only one thunderbolt port ? all the cheaper dual hdmi dongles that i see on amazon seem to just mirror one screen.

On another note, what would be the cheapest dock/dongle that supports dual hdmi properly (three displays in total) and also has some usb ports available?

 

thanks again

[Kilrah]

If you want 2 independent displays on one port you have to go with a Thunderbolt dock, so you're quickly looking at $150+ options.

[dilpickle]

8 minutes ago, qport said:

so if I have two separate hdmi -> thunderbolts and connect them, they will behave as expected and there will be no mirroring going on?

is there a way to use only one thunderbolt port ? all the cheaper dual hdmi dongles that i see on amazon seem to just mirror one screen.

On another note, what would be the cheapest dock/dongle that supports dual hdmi properly (three displays in total) and also has some usb ports available?

 

thanks again

HDMI outputs cannot be split unless its to mirror as you've already discovered.

 

You can use the one HDMI output on your Mac for one monitor. Then you will need to use one of the thunderbolt outputs for the other monitor. There are a variety of adapters and docks so it just depends on what you want.

[qport]

thanks guys much appreciated.

 

just to confirm, any thunderbolt 3 or thunderbolt 4 dock with dual hdmi input will work fine?

can you post any cheap model that i can take a look at?

 

thanks again.

[FliP0x]

Thunderbolt docks are not cheap. You're looking at 200$+, 300+ for a decent one.

 

You can connect 2 displays for cheap: use the HDMI port that you already have on your Mac, then get a cheap USB-C hub with an HDMI port to connect a second display.

 

 

 

[dilpickle]

You said you wanted the "cheapest way" and now you're talking about thunderbolt docks which are not cheap.

 

All you need is an adapter or cable like these:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Aluminum-Pixelbook-Compatible-Thunderbolt/dp/B07THJGZ9Z

 

https://www.amazon.com/uni-Thunderbolt-Compatible-MacBook-Surface/dp/B075V5JK36

[Kilrah]

OP also said they wanted a single cable if possible...

But yeah the issue is that going from 2 cables to 1 tends to mean going from $20 to $200.

[rikitikitavi]

1 hour ago, qport said:

thanks guys much appreciated.

 

just to confirm, any thunderbolt 3 or thunderbolt 4 dock with dual hdmi input will work fine?

can you post any cheap model that i can take a look at?

 

thanks again.

You don't have to go Thunderbolt, you can use cheaper USB-C 3.* to HDMI adapter(s).

[qport]

thanks guys.

 

I guess i will have to stick with occupying two ports then, as the thunderbolt docks are out of my price range.