Displaylink ceases to work in 10.13.4

[warlockuk]

I get that basically Apple breaking functionality they deem 'not supported' even though a number of their third party providers rely on it is a pretty epic dick move...

...but is there a possibility of a (non Airplay) fix for pre-Mojave versions?

If it's looking like a 'no' then the heads-up would be appreciated as I'm going to have to find something that can function with the hardware I have to use for work

[lhasiuk]

I previously used a DisplayLink adapter to add a second external monitor to my late 2011 MacBook Pro 17", until it stopped working when I unknowingly updated macOS to an incompatible version. I stayed on top of this thread looking for a fix, but unfortunately the first one available would not fill my needs because of the resolution restriction and the lack of rotation support. Continuing to read through the thread over time, I decided that the best approach was to upgrade to a newer MacBook Pro, and ended up with the 15" 2018 model. It works great and easily supports my 30" main monitor and the 20" monitor beside it with the appropriate adapters. Apparently I can add up to four external 4K monitors. It works so much better than the DisplayLink adapter ever did, which was so slow that I couldn't really run anything that had a rapidly changing image and many apps with seemingly static displays would sometimes cause the driver to peg the CPU and be unusable with it. It eventually became my "documentation only" screen and then, of course, stopped working at all.

Now I can run whatever I want on either screen and it works flawlessly. Yes, it was expensive to upgrade my computer, but the MacBook Pro 17 was seven years old and had gone through three logic boards because of the graphics chip solder issue, which Apple covered but simply replaced with similarly flawed boards.

What I can't figure out is why anyone purchasing one of these 2017 and newer MacBook Pros would want to continue using the DisplayLink adapter, as some of the comments in this thread seem to imply. Do you really need more than 4 external 4K screens? Just go with an inexpensive USB-C to HDMI adapter or a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter, depending on your connection needs. You'll be much happier when your displays run with native support and you no longer have to carefully consider whether applying the next update is worth the possibility of losing your extra displays.

[Sofla David]

Originally Posted by lhasiuk

I previously used a DisplayLink adapter to add a second external monitor to my late 2011 MacBook Pro 17", until it stopped working when I unknowingly updated macOS to an incompatible version. I stayed on top of this thread looking for a fix, but unfortunately the first one available would not fill my needs because of the resolution restriction and the lack of rotation support. Continuing to read through the thread over time, I decided that the best approach was to upgrade to a newer MacBook Pro, and ended up with the 15" 2018 model. It works great and easily supports my 30" main monitor and the 20" monitor beside it with the appropriate adapters. Apparently I can add up to four external 4K monitors. It works so much better than the DisplayLink adapter ever did, which was so slow that I couldn't really run anything that had a rapidly changing image and many apps with seemingly static displays would sometimes cause the driver to peg the CPU and be unusable with it. It eventually became my "documentation only" screen and then, of course, stopped working at all.

Now I can run whatever I want on either screen and it works flawlessly. Yes, it was expensive to upgrade my computer, but the MacBook Pro 17 was seven years old and had gone through three logic boards because of the graphics chip solder issue, which Apple covered but simply replaced with similarly flawed boards.

What I can't figure out is why anyone purchasing one of these 2017 and newer MacBook Pros would want to continue using the DisplayLink adapter, as some of the comments in this thread seem to imply. Do you really need more than 4 external 4K screens? Just go with an inexpensive USB-C to HDMI adapter or a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter, depending on your connection needs. You'll be much happier when your displays run with native support and you no longer have to carefully consider whether applying the next update is worth the possibility of losing your extra displays.

In my case, I need a 2nd monitor that fits in my backpack when I travel to ships around the world and does not require it’s own power source.

Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of other options outside of the Asus USB DisplayLink monitors that fit those requirements.

[paultzirides]

Originally Posted by Sofla David

In my case, I need a 2nd monitor that fits in my backpack when I travel to ships around the world and does not require it’s own power source.

Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of other options outside of the Asus USB DisplayLink monitors that fit those requirements.

If you have a USB-C Port available, this one works great:

AOC i1601fwux

[Sofla David]

Originally Posted by paultzirides

If you have a USB-C Port available, this one works great:

AOC i1601fwux

That AOC monitor uses DisplayLink just like the ASUS. Are you saying you have one and are not experiencing the issue?

[paultzirides]

Originally Posted by Sofla David

That AOC monitor uses DisplayLink just like the ASUS. Are you saying you have one and are not experiencing the issue?

The USB-C version does not.

Alternatively, the ASUS ZenScreen offers similar functionality

[warlockuk]

Originally Posted by lhasiuk

What I can't figure out is why anyone purchasing one of these 2017 and newer MacBook Pros would want to continue using the DisplayLink adapter, as some of the comments in this thread seem to imply. Do you really need more than 4 external 4K screens? Just go with an inexpensive USB-C to HDMI adapter or a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter, depending on your connection needs. You'll be much happier when your displays run with native support and you no longer have to carefully consider whether applying the next update is worth the possibility of losing your extra displays.

For my use-case, I have a 2015 model; the monitors I have are standard corporate issue Dell monitors with DisplayPort, occasional HDMI and DVI-D inputs.

This Mac has two Thunderbolt 2 ports, so I went with a one-cable (plus power) solution - thunderbolt cable to a Belkin dock.
Belkin dock then has two USB to HDMI adapters (which in turn adapt to DVI cables).
Belkin dock also has a second Thunderbolt to mini displayport dealie for a third monitor.

Now the USBs don't work I've got two dead monitors out of three. I'm a developer, so it's kind of a punch in the sack.

Corporate won't upgrade my Mac because it would involve a new dock + an expensive new machine and we've got a 4 - 5 year refresh policy.

They won't give me monitors that can daisy chain, as that'll be expensive.

I can't switch to a PC, I need a bunch of iOS / Safari debugging stuff which it isn't convenient to fake on a PC.

Basically, not everyone who has gone dark has the option to use fancy monitors or newer hardware.

[Wozzy]

So what is happening to support 10.13.6 - It would appear nothing!

I have users screaming at me needing DL. We can't wait for Mojave as in an enterprise environment it will be at least 2 months befoe we approve for use.

We need a final driver for 10.13.6 NOW.

[lhasiuk]

I was not aware of those USB monitors -- they look like very handy gadgets!

Yes, I agree that if your company won't upgrade your equipment, it's a problem. I'm also an iOS developer and luckily my employer was willing.

[JOEEDS]

So is there an adapter out there that will let you have 2/3 monitors with 10.13.6? I'm willing to buy right now!!