HACKER Q&A
📣 terabytest

Anyone know workarounds to MacBook Air M2 missing dual-monitor support?


I bought a second external monitor to pair with my existing one, only to find out my M2 MacBook Air won't support it.

I found workarounds[1] online such as "DisplayLink", which requires custom drivers and a $127 external adapter, and "SiliconMotion"[2] which I'm unclear on how to use. I've seen people on Reddit say the experience barely approximates the native feel, with features such as "Night Shift" not being supported and noticeable lag, even for office use, which is what I plan to use it for.

I made sure to purchase the adapter with the most advanced chipset available (the Startech device[3]) but I am worried the experience will be subpar. I chose an adapter to DisplayPort instead of HDMI thinking it might perform better but that's to be seen.

Short of buying an M3 Pro MacBook Pro, which is obviously off the table, do I have alternatives? Are there any homebrew solutions that work around this out there?

[1]: https://m1displays.com/

[2]: https://www.siliconmotion.com/downloads/index.html

[3]: https://www.startech.com/en-us/display-video-adapters/usb32dp24k60

  👤 wkat4242 Accepted Answer ✓
It's really annoying market segmentation :( more than 1 external monitor is not a feature that should be restricted to "pro" models imo.
👤 comprev
I've been using DisplayLink and the Startech adapter for 6 months and it's been rock solid. There is also a Dell hub in the middle as I could never get it working without.

Flow is as follows: Macbook -> USB-C -> Dell USB-C hub -> USB-A/B -> Dell monitor (USB hub) -> Startech adapter (USB A) -> 2x Dell Monitor DisplayPort.

FWIW I have 2 Dell 27 1080p both aligned portrait with a MBAir M2 on the side.

As for lag I haven't really noticed or perhaps I've got used to it... I do however use both screens for Teams video calls and it's pretty smooth quality.

👤 mvanaltvorst
You might be fine with DisplayLink and two monitors, however in my experience DisplayLink with an M1 and four external monitors was nearly impossible to use because of the input lag. Sometimes the entire DisplayLink driver would crash. I bought an M3 Max instead, there is no robust alternative.
👤 terabytest
Update: I just received the StarTech adapter, connected it to the monitor via DisplayPort and plugged it into my Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Hub.

All seems to work well. Picture quality appears good, the input lag is minimal (slightly higher than on the default screen, but not overly noticeable). I ran the UFO test[1] on it and couldn't notice any major issues, besides extremely subtle jittering.

I plan to use this screen for my text editor mainly, so I think it will be okay.

[1]: https://www.testufo.com/

👤 misnome
Yes, it sucks. I switched to a 34” Ultrawide and that gave me… most of what I would get out of a second monitor.
👤 itsoktocry
I'm using DisplayLink with a Dell hub, based on the recommendations on the site you link. It's working great for me, but I don't use NightShift. It does have flux integration, apparently, but I don't use that either.

Not what you're looking for, but my two cents anyway.

👤 millzlane
We distribute displaying enabled docks. The UD22 just works.