Apple’s M3 MacBook Air announcement about dual monitor support was welcome news for many. However, exactly how this practically worked was also source of confusion. Apple MacBook Air laptops are popular. Lightweight. Powerful. The latest 13” and 15” models have default dual external display functionality that comes with an important caveat: the laptop lid must be closed.
Our in-house innovation lab has recently completed another round of testing to confirm product performance and functionality on the M3 MacBook Air. On previous M1 or M2 MacBook Air systems, only a single external display was possible without using a DisplayLink dock. However, on the M3 MacBook Air, with the lid closed, a Thunderbolt 4 dock can be used for up to two external displays. This allows a driverless setup and high performance video output utilizing the laptop’s GPU capabilities. A DisplayLink dock can still be used for dual displays with the laptop open or if more than two external displays are needed.
Here are some tested solutions for making the most of the new M3 MacBook Air:
To see more solutions for MacBook Air laptops, including multiport adapters and cables, visit Multi-Monitor M3 Solutions for MacBook and iMac.
Our in-house innovation lab has recently completed another round of testing to confirm product performance and functionality on the M3 MacBook Air. On previous M1 or M2 MacBook Air systems, only a single external display was possible without using a DisplayLink dock. However, on the M3 MacBook Air, with the lid closed, a Thunderbolt 4 dock can be used for up to two external displays. This allows a driverless setup and high performance video output utilizing the laptop’s GPU capabilities. A DisplayLink dock can still be used for dual displays with the laptop open or if more than two external displays are needed.
Here are some tested solutions for making the most of the new M3 MacBook Air:
| Lid closed | Lid open and built in display active | ||
| Dual 4K 60Hz | Dual 4K 60Hz | Triple 4K 60Hz | Quad 4K 60Hz |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 132N-TB4USB4DOCK | DK30C2DPEP | DK31C3HDPD | DK31C4DPPD |
| Performance dock with driverless setup, and high performance video output utilizing GPU capabilities | Universal DisplayLink-powered docks to enable dual, triple, or quad external monitors, while still using the M3 MacBook Air with the built-in display open and active. | ||
To see more solutions for MacBook Air laptops, including multiport adapters and cables, visit Multi-Monitor M3 Solutions for MacBook and iMac.
