I sometimes run throughout somebody criticizing Apple as a result of MacBook Professional helps solely a single exterior show. However that’s a limitation of solely a few MBP fashions — most up-to-date ones can connect with many extra.
It affected the primary professional-grade MacBook with Apple silicon, which might be why persons are nonetheless confused immediately. Present fashions help two or extra exterior screens, with one bizarre exception.
Confusion stems from Apple silicon transition
Exterior shows make MacBook customers extra productive. Extra screens means extra space to work in, and that may be vital on 14-inch pocket book. Even a 16-inch display is small in comparison with a desktop monitor.
All MacBooks supply second-screen help. So the query is, which may deal with extra than one?
It’s a query that solely turned essential when Apple introduced in its personal Mac processors in 2020. Earlier than then, Intel-based Professional fashions provided loads of extra screens. However the very first MacBook Professional with Apple silicon supported solely a single exterior show.
That’s as a result of it used an Apple M1 processor. The 2020 MBP was a part of the Intel-to-Apple transition and was primarily an Intel mannequin with a brand new chip plugged in. A chip that wasn’t fully as much as the job.
Exterior show limitation now solely impacts client MacBooks
The M1 was by no means meant for pro-grade computer systems. It was for Macs aimed toward shoppers, just like the MacBook Air and Mac mini from a few years in the past. However it was the most effective Apple silicon out there in 2020 so it went into the MacBook Professional launched that yr, too.
The primary MBP with Apple silicon is now a little bit of a historic quirk. The follow-up mannequin MacBook Professional used M1 Professional or M2 Max processors. These had been designed for professionals. That features help for a number of extra shows. Each the 14-inch and 16-inch fashions may be related to 3.
This all began over once more with the Apple M2 launched in mid-2022. This can be a consumer-focused processor and helps solely a single extra show. That makes it proper for the MacBook Air from final July.
However more-recent MacBook Execs that run the M2 Professional and M2 Max can connect with many extra screens. The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional from early 2023 can deal with 4.
The bizarre exception I discussed is the 13-inch MBP that Apple launched in summer time 2022. It has a primary M2, not a Professional or Max, so it presents solely a second display, no more. It’s bizarre as a result of this can be a client gadget, regardless of the title — it’s a price range mannequin not aimed toward professionals.
And the common client doesn’t hook up a couple of exterior show. Exceptions are nearly at all times somebody utilizing their consumer-grade laptop computer for professional-grade functions.
A nomenclature downside
A part of the exterior show confusion stems from the way in which individuals are inclined to seek advice from Apple processors. “M1” is a single processor however the time period can be generally used as shorthand for a household of processors: M1, M1 Professional, M1 Max and M1 Extremely. The identical goes for M2.
It results in confusion. It’s straightforward to seek advice from an “M2 MacBook Professional” when the pocket book is absolutely an M2 Professional MBP. And somebody can learn “M2 MacBook Professional” and, as a result of the M2 helps just one additional show, assume the pocket book being mentioned has the identical limitation. In actuality, it may well tackle 4 extra screens.
Unfold the phrase
In the event you already knew that MacBook Professional fashions with Apple’s Professional or Max chips help a number of exterior shows, then this isn’t for you. However don’t assume everybody is aware of.
Seems these few MBPs which are restricted to only one additional display confused lots of people into considering the limitation is common. So if somebody nonetheless utilizing an Intel MacBook, you may be sure they are additionally conscious that Apple silicon isn’t as restricted as they may suppose. They is likely to be ready for a characteristic that’s been out there since 2021.
Additionally, take into account that there’s a very good probability the upcoming Apple M3 will once more help solely a second display and less. We’ll have to attend for MacBooks with the M3 Professional and M3 Max to increase that’s quantity.
