MacBook Pro 2015 Model External Dual Monitor Setup
My main productivity machine is still the MacBook Pro 2015 15-inch [joined the company at the right time, perfectly catching the last batch of inventory clearance]. At the office, I’m limited by equipment, only extending to a Dell 24-inch monitor [slight productivity improvement]. At home, I’ve always used
Dell U2515Hin extended screen mode. Recently, considering improving happiness, I decided to build an external dual-screen setup, so I purchasedDell U2719DS.
When tinkering with connecting two external screens, it took some time. Surprisingly, I found very little information about MacBook Pro multi-screen expansion. I’ll play the role of Lei Feng (helpful person) and share my rough understanding here.
Ultimate Goal
What I wanted to achieve was a single cable output from the MacBook that could daisy-chain two monitors [note: not mirroring screens, but extending screens].
Dream effect as follows:
MST
The technology that supported my idea was this:
DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport allows you to use DisplayPort v1.2 for daisy-chaining monitors. “Daisy chain” refers to the function of connecting a series of devices together using a single connection between two devices. DisplayPort daisy chainable monitors have both DisplayPort input and DisplayPort output. The DisplayPort output connects to the next downstream monitor. This wiring using a single DisplayPort cable between each set of monitors provides a less cluttered system configuration.
MacBook Pro Doesn’t Support MST?
MacBook does support it, but generally monitor ports are DP ports not Thunderbolt ports, and macOS doesn’t support DP cable MST [conclusion from Dell official forum]. To solve it with one cable, you need to purchase Apple’s official monitors at a high price.
If using daisy chaining, my two monitors would be in mirroring relationship, not extended screens.
Luxury Player - Apple Official LG Monitor
If using the official LG monitor, because it supports Thunderbolt interface, so it can MST connect to MacBook. I understand the second monitor doesn’t have to be LG, as long as you solve the daisy chain between monitor 1 and 2, and enable DisplayPort 1.2.
Final Solution
Because Apple doesn’t support DP interface MST as mentioned above, the final solution could only be using two cables from the laptop - mDP and HDMI - outputting to two monitors, achieving dual extended screens. Effect picture below.
Cables Used
- mDP
Mac end=> DPmonitor end - HDMI
Mac end=> DPmonitor end
For cable selection, just follow the interface specifications supported by Mac. Since Mac has Thunderbolt port (mDP) and HDMI port, just make sure the monitor side has corresponding cables to connect. HDMI Mac => any monitor port, MDP to any monitor port.
Monitors Used
- Dell U2719DS
- Dell U2515H
MacBook Pro 15-inch Interface Specifications
Final Thoughts
After setting up such a dual-screen configuration, I usually close the laptop and enable clamshell mode, with the left vertical screen for viewing documents and web pages, and the main screen for development. Productivity can be improved a bit more. So, life never stops, tinkering never ends.
