Apple unveiled the MacBook Pro laptop in October 2008, featuring a sleek new unibody aluminum chassis and faster transfer and running power via USB ports, an enhanced trackpad design, and Intel Core processors.
Addition of external monitors can significantly enhance productivity and multitasking skills on a MacBook. Both its laptop screen and its associated external displays may display content simultaneously in extended mode.
1. Connect the Monitors
Utilizing multiple monitors on a MacBook Pro is an effective way to increase productivity and work efficiency. Multiple screens enable you to better organize tasks, display communication apps and more. There are various methods available for connecting external displays to your Mac such as daisy chaining or using USB-C hubs; depending on your individual requirements you may also benefit from investing in a docking station.
Before connecting external monitors to your Mac, it is crucial that you understand its video ports and the number of displays it can support. Furthermore, cables and adapters must also be present.
If your MacBook Pro or Air features either M1 or M2 chips, docking stations that support DisplayLink technology enable up to two displays without an adapter – eliminating the need for extra adapters! However, you must install the appropriate driver from i-Tec in order to activate this functionality – though installation should be relatively straightforward.
2. Set the Screens
Installing additional monitors on a Mac can be transformative. They allow you to have multiple programs open simultaneously and provide you with a smoother workflow. There are various methods of connecting additional displays – docking stations or daisy chaining are two such solutions – but ultimately what method you choose depends on what ports your laptop has and the monitors you possess.
Once your monitors are connected, they will need to be configured within System Preferences display settings. You can choose whether the screens mirror each other or extend across them, as well as adjust resolution and other settings accordingly.
Your primary display, which will be where apps open by default, can also be chosen through System Preferences > Displays menu. To make changes click Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays.
3. Configure the Screens
Dependent upon your Mac Pro model and monitors, an adapter or special cables may be needed to connect them. A docking station or set of monitors with compatible ports may also be essential.
Connecting a second monitor to a MacBook Pro can significantly boost productivity and provide extra screen space, allowing for easier application switching as well as creating an organized workflow.
To configure your monitors, go into System Preferences and click Displays. From here you can alter resolution, refresh rate and arrange displays in one window.
Utilize the Display Options menu to change to Extend these displays, which will project your desktop across both monitors. Drag icons around on each monitor until their placement matches their real world arrangement and save your changes – then get back to working on your MacBook!
4. Activate the Screens
People often find one screen isn’t enough for their tasks on Macs; its built-in display might not fit all their windows comfortably and switching apps back and forth can become tiresome over time.
Solution: Add an additional monitor via either your Mac’s ports or an external adapter or dock, using either Thunderbolt 3 and HDMI or USB-C. Adapters or dongles offer similar solutions.
An additional display can be invaluable when it comes to viewing large files, Slack chats and reference documents like CAD blueprints. Furthermore, having two displays enables more productive workflows through being able to open multiple app windows in split-screen mode according to desktop configuration. In order to get started using two monitors at once you will require either two Thunderbolt 3 ports on a Mac Pro or an adapter with Dual DisplayPort capability, along with suitable monitors with matching inputs, and appropriate cables connecting them both together with each other and your Mac Pro.