M3 MacBook Pro to Get Multi-Display Support With Software Update

Apple is planning a software update that will add multi-display support to the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro model, the company confirmed to 9to5Mac. The M3 MacBook Air models that were introduced today include support for up to two 5K external displays when used in clamshell mode, a feature that is not currently available on the 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with the same M3 chip.

m3 macbook pro blue
With the two machines using the same M3 chip, it was not clear why the ‌MacBook Air‌ has the feature while the ‌MacBook Pro‌ does not, but it is an issue that Apple plans to rectify. In the near future, a software update will add the option for the 14-inch M3 ‌MacBook Pro‌ to drive two external displays when the lid of the machine is closed.

Both the M3 ‌MacBook Air‌ and the M3 ‌MacBook Pro‌ offer support for one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz when the display is open, and with the update, the M3 MacBooks will also be able to power two 5K external displays with a resolution of up to 60Hz. That is equivalent to the Studio Display, so users can expect to be able to run two of Apple's 5K displays in clamshell mode.

The higher-end M3 Pro and M3 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are already able to drive multiple displays, so this change only applies to the 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ that has the M3 chip. This machine replaced the prior-generation 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, which Apple has now done away with.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...

Top Rated Comments

df22799 Avatar
20 months ago
so they just discovered a "magical" and "courageous" way of enabling this? What a clown show ...
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sheepish-Lord Avatar
20 months ago
Software locked this entire time, that’s cold blooded.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hardwickj Avatar
20 months ago
Called it! https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macs-with-m3-chip-still-officially-support-only-a-single-external-display.2409623/?post=32689909#post-32689909

The same holds true of M1/M2. It's still absolutely an artificial limitation on those platforms.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fenderbass146 Avatar
20 months ago
So ******, there no reason the M1 and M2 series chips shouldn't be able to do this either. In 2024 when laptops with docking stations is becoming the defacto setup for so many professionals (who truly only need an air in 99% of the cases) it was a super ****** thing to do.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tonyisit Avatar
20 months ago
and here with my crappy old dell work computer I can do two monitors without closing the laptop
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hovscorpion12 Avatar
20 months ago

I have a M1 Pro 14" MBP, is this download exclusive to the M3 series?
The M1 pro supports 2 displays already.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)