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macOS Sonoma 14.6 Adds Dual External Display Support to M3 14-Inch MacBook Pro

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The macOS Sonoma 14.6 update that Apple released today includes dual display support, an important feature specifically for the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro. With the new software, the 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with M3 chip is able to run two external displays in clamshell mode, aka when the lid is closed.

m3 macbook pro blue
Apple introduced dual display support in clamshell mode for the M3 MacBook Air models when they were released in March 2024, but at the time, the option was not available for the M3 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ released back in October 2023. Apple said at the time that it was planning to release a software update that would add multi-display support to the M3 ‌MacBook Pro‌.

The change is mentioned in Apple's macOS Sonoma update support document and in a support document on using dual monitors with the M3 ‌MacBook Air‌ and ‌MacBook Pro‌.

The 14-inch M3 ‌MacBook Pro‌ now supports one external display at 6K resolution when the lid is open, or two external displays at 5K resolution at up to 60Hz when the lid is closed.

Higher-end ‌MacBook Pro‌ models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips were already able to support multiple displays, so today's change only applies to the 14-inch M3 ‌MacBook Pro‌ model.

Aside from the display update, macOS Sonoma 14.6 addresses a number of security vulnerabilities as outlined in Apple's security support document. None of the vulnerabilities are known to have been actively exploited in the wild, but it is still a good idea to update as soon as possible.

Related Forum: macOS Sonoma

Top Rated Comments

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icanhazmac
22 months ago

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?
Surely you jest?

I run my MBP probably 80% in clamshell at home with 2 monitors and externals versus 20% while traveling as a laptop with my iPad as the 2nd monitor.

Why would I want to use the comparatively tiny screen, keyboard, trackpad while at home versus 2 27" monitors with a full size KB and mouse? And my desktop speakers are way better too.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Sheepish-Lord
22 months ago
Ahhh yes, the software locked feature that legit made the MBA better than a “pro” model
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bradman83 Avatar
bradman83
22 months ago

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.
I do this with my work laptop (which is a Windows machine so Touch ID isn't applicable). For me the laptop's internal display is a distraction, I'd rather have the two main displays which are the same size, same height, and situated so they line up like one continuous display. I also happen to prefer an external keyboard with numeric keypad when working with a lot of numbers and a mouse versus a trackpad for working with Excel, so the setup works for my use case.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
U
USB-Adapter
22 months ago
It would be useful to keep the lid open for the camera and Touch ID.

But it would be too complicated for Apple to let users disable the internal display when the lid is open.

I use a DisplayLink docking station with my M1 MBP and two external displays and have to mirror one of the displays to the internal display and then reduce the brightness of the internal display to zero in order to emulate a disabled internal display and still be able to use the camera, the Touch ID and the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro.
Every Windows laptop has a dedicated key on the keyboard to switch to this mode without dumb workarounds.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
mortenb
22 months ago

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID
New 'external' Magic Keyboard have Touch ID.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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USB-Adapter
22 months ago

I'm wondering who's actually running dual-external display with the lid closed?

You lose the keyboard, Touch ID, webcam, speakers, trackpad, and obviously the Retina display. So yes, technically, the M3 supports dual external display. But in practical terms, it really doesn't.
Me, most of the time when I work from home, because I have a USB camera, a Magic keyboard, a Logitech mouse and a Jabra speaker. But when I work in the office, I have to use the MacBook's internal camera and Touch ID.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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