Three monitors with Macbook Pro 2019 and Dell WD22

jesu1411 · 10-15-2023, 05:31 PM

Hi,

I am trying to connect three external monitors to one port on my Macbook Pro in clamshell mode, but the best I can get to is two extended displays and the third only mirrors the second.

My set up is as follows:

Macbook
Macbook Pro 2019
tech specs https://support.apple.com/kb/SP809?locale=en_GB
- 2.3 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9
- AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 4 GB
- Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB
- 4x Thunderbolt 3 ports
- MacOS Ventura 13.6 (22G120)

Software
DisplayLinkManager 1.9.0 (Build 148)
- 'no DisplayLink-enabled display detected'

Displays
3x Dell U2520D (2560 x 1440, 25")

Dock
Dell WD22TB4 dock
2x Displayport cable from monitor to dock
1x USB-C cable from monitor to dock

I read that you can use DisplayLink software to compress output and connect more than two displays to a single Thunderbolt port. However, I cannot get it to work.

Can any of you experts please advise? If the Dell WD22 won't work for whatever reason can you suggest a dock that will?

Many thanks.

rboerner · 10-16-2023, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesu1411

Hi,

I am trying to connect three external monitors to one port on my Macbook Pro in clamshell mode, but the best I can get to is two extended displays and the third only mirrors the second.

My set up is as follows:

Macbook
Macbook Pro 2019
tech specs https://support.apple.com/kb/SP809?locale=en_GB
- 2.3 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9
- AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 4 GB
- Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB
- 4x Thunderbolt 3 ports
- MacOS Ventura 13.6 (22G120)

Software
DisplayLinkManager 1.9.0 (Build 148)
- 'no DisplayLink-enabled display detected'

Displays
3x Dell U2520D (2560 x 1440, 25")

Dock
Dell WD22TB4 dock
2x Displayport cable from monitor to dock
1x USB-C cable from monitor to dock

I read that you can use DisplayLink software to compress output and connect more than two displays to a single Thunderbolt port. However, I cannot get it to work.

Can any of you experts please advise? If the Dell WD22 won't work for whatever reason can you suggest a dock that will?

Many thanks.

The Dell WD22TB4 docking station does NOT have DisplayLink USB video technology inside of it. As a result, DisplayLink will NOT be able to assist you.

The Dell WD22TB4 docking station relies on a combination of Thunderbolt technology and DisplayPort (note 'Port' versus 'Link') Multi-stream Transport technology (also known as DisplayPort MST) in order to drive up to four displays.

Mac systems do NOT support DisplayPort MST, which is why one display is mirroring the other.

jesu1411 · 10-17-2023, 05:15 AM

Thank you, very helpful. It’s confusing because from the Dell website it appears several docks DO support DisplayLink technology but I cannot find a clear list.

Can anyone recommend a good brand / model that will work with my set up, and ideally be futureproofed if I ever upgrade my mac or even switch to a slim PC?

jesu1411 · 10-20-2023, 08:12 AM

Any suggestions? Either in this thread or in a DM is fine. Thanks!

10-15-2023, 05:31 PM	#1
jesu1411 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2023 Posts: 3	Three monitors with Macbook Pro 2019 and Dell WD22 Hi, I am trying to connect three external monitors to one port on my Macbook Pro in clamshell mode, but the best I can get to is two extended displays and the third only mirrors the second. My set up is as follows: Macbook Macbook Pro 2019 tech specs https://support.apple.com/kb/SP809?locale=en_GB - 2.3 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9 - AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 4 GB - Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB - 4x Thunderbolt 3 ports - MacOS Ventura 13.6 (22G120) Software DisplayLinkManager 1.9.0 (Build 148) - 'no DisplayLink-enabled display detected' Displays 3x Dell U2520D (2560 x 1440, 25") Dock Dell WD22TB4 dock 2x Displayport cable from monitor to dock 1x USB-C cable from monitor to dock I read that you can use DisplayLink software to compress output and connect more than two displays to a single Thunderbolt port. However, I cannot get it to work. Can any of you experts please advise? If the Dell WD22 won't work for whatever reason can you suggest a dock that will? Many thanks.

10-17-2023, 05:15 AM	#3
jesu1411 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2023 Posts: 3	Thank you, very helpful. It’s confusing because from the Dell website it appears several docks DO support DisplayLink technology but I cannot find a clear list. Can anyone recommend a good brand / model that will work with my set up, and ideally be futureproofed if I ever upgrade my mac or even switch to a slim PC?

10-20-2023, 08:12 AM	#4
jesu1411 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2023 Posts: 3	Any suggestions? Either in this thread or in a DM is fine. Thanks!