How to Set Up Dual Monitors on Your 2017 MacBook Air?

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The MacBook Air is one of Apple’s most popular laptops and for good reason. It’s lightweight, powerful, and portable. But one thing it has always lacked is the ability to drive multiple external monitors.

That changes with the 2017 model of the MacBook Air which now supports two displays in addition to its built-in display. This means that users can now connect two external monitors to their MacBook Air and use them to increase their productivity or watch videos on a larger screen.

The 2017 MacBook Air supports two displays through a combination of ports including Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and mini DisplayPort. Thunderbolt 3 is the most powerful port on the MacBook Air and supports up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or one 5K display at 60Hz. The USB-C port supports up to one 4K display at 60Hz while the mini DisplayPort supports up to one 1080p display at 60Hz.

In order to connect multiple monitors to your 2017 MacBook Air you will need an adapter for each monitor as well as any necessary cables. You can find adapters and cables for both Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C on Apple’s website or from third-party retailers.

Once you have all of your adapters and cables connected you will need to configure your displays in macOS System Preferences > Displays. Here you can adjust settings such as resolution, brightness, orientation, and more for each monitor.

The ability to connect multiple external displays makes the 2017 MacBook Air even more versatile than its predecessors and allows users to get more work done in less time. With two displays connected it becomes easier to multitask as different applications can be opened side by side on each monitor or documents can be spread across both screens simultaneously.

So if you’re looking for a laptop with dual monitor support then look no further than the 2017 MacBook Air – it’s sure to make your life easier!

How to Set Up Dual Monitors on Your 2017 MacBook Air? 1

MacBook Models Supporting Two External Monitors

MacBook Pro models from 2016 and later, as well as Mac Studio models from 2020 and later, support connecting up to two external displays using the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports. To connect two external displays, you will need an adapter that will convert the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) port into either two HDMI ports or one HDMI port and one DisplayPort. Once connected, you can configure your display settings in System Preferences on your Mac to determine how the displays are used.

MacBook Air Display Support

The most recent MacBook Air models are equipped with Intel Core processors and can support up to two external displays. If you have a MacBook Air with an Apple Silicon M1 processor, however, you can connect up to five external displays to your computer using its Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) and HDMI ports on the front and back of the machine.

Limitations of Connecting Multiple Monitors to a MacBook Air

The M1 chip integrated into your MacBook Air only supports two displays, one at up to 4K resolution and the other at up to 6K resolution. Since your MacBook Air has an internal display, it is dedicated to the lower resolution display. Therefore, you are only able to connect one external monitor to your MacBook Air.

Compatibility of Monitors With MacBook Air

Yes, all monitors can work with a MacBook Air as long as you have the right cable or dongle. Depending on the type of monitor, you will need to find a compatible cable or dongle that has the correct connector for your monitor. For example, if you have an HDMI monitor, then you will need an HDMI cable to connect it to your MacBook Air. On the other hand, if your monitor has a DisplayPort connection, then you will need a DisplayPort cable or dongle. Furthermore, some monitors may require an adapter in order to connect them to your MacBook Air’s USB-C port. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you have the right type of cable or dongle before attempting to connect your monitor.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Conclusion

Overall, the M1 MacBook Air 2017 is not a great choice for those who need to use dual monitors. While the M1 Mac Mini does natively support two external displays, the MacBook Air only supports one. However, if you don’t need to use multiple displays, the MacBook Air is still a good choice for its power and portability.