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I have a 3 monitor setup at home for the days I WFH.
My work, and personal computers are Dell Latitude & the docks is a WD22TB4

Docked my wife's work laptop, a 2020 Macbook Air M1.
Only have 2 options. Leave the laptop open, and all 3 monitors are a single duplicated second screen, or close the laptop & the 3 screens are only able to be duplicated, not extended.

Is there a way to allow extending the desktop to 2 monitors with the computer closed?
I'd rather not deal with disconnecting the displays from the dock, but it's an option if that's the route needed.




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Posts: 18731 | Location: Spring, TX | Registered: July 11, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I sure do hope you find a great solution, for I'm looking for it too. Smile




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Posts: 16286 | Location: VA | Registered: July 15, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I'm 100% not an Apple user, so I'm completely out of my element on this one.

Poked around the settings & didn't see anything obvious




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Posts: 18731 | Location: Spring, TX | Registered: July 11, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I think that’s what the M1 model supports. 2 pipes, 1 each dedicated to the lfp and an external display.

I moved to MacBook Pro in later models to get better multi display support 3 pipes.




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Posts: 14952 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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So no option for 2 external displays with the screen closed?




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Posts: 18731 | Location: Spring, TX | Registered: July 11, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I knew there was driver funkyness with Mac + Docking.
Brave's AI told me this:

The Dell WD22TB4 does not contain DisplayLink technology. It is a native Thunderbolt 4 docking station that relies entirely on the host computer's graphics capabilities to drive displays.

Consequently, installing DisplayLink drivers on a Mac or any other system will not enable additional display outputs or bypass hardware limitations, as the dock lacks the necessary internal chip. Users seeking multi-monitor support on Macs (which often have native display limits) typically need a dock that explicitly integrates DisplayLink technology, such as the Dell WD6000 or Dell UD22, or must utilize the Mac's native ports with specific cabling constraints.
 
Posts: 3449 | Location: IN | Registered: January 12, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by konata88:
I moved to MacBook Pro in later models to get better multi display support 3 pipes.


Dang! I should have bought the Pro!

I remember asking about this shortly after I bought this Air, and several of the answers were similar to konata’s statement — the chip in this one just doesn’t support non-duplicate external monitors.




Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
God bless America.
 
Posts: 16286 | Location: VA | Registered: July 15, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Thanks, snidera, I'll see if she can manage with the laptop screen & an external display




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Posts: 18731 | Location: Spring, TX | Registered: July 11, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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