Macbook Pro 2019 - 4 thunderbolt ports, want 3 monitors

[deker0]

Hi all,


Glad to be a part of this forum. This is my first post on here and I'm still learning as I go along.

Here is my current setup:

Macbook Pro 2019 with 4 thunderbolt ports

Three Dell monitors - two have DisplayPort and one is much older that supports DVI/VGA.

I also have a Belkin dock - it has one DisplayPort input and one input that looks like USB-C. One Dell monitor is connected to the DisplayPort and the other monitor connects using a custom cable USB-C (?) to DisplayPort. There is one USB-C output that goes into the Mac's thunderbolt.


What I'd like to do is add the older Dell monitor into the mix. I managed to grab a DVI to USB-C cable, so the DVI plugs into the monitor and the USB-C into one of my thunderbolt ports. Obviously, it didn't work, which is why I'm here.


Spoke to Apple support, they of course insisted it's not possible, since the MBP 2019 can only handle 2 external monitors.


I'm hoping someone here can help me out and assist me in getting that third monitor added into my set. Thanks so much, I really appreciate the help.

[rboerner]

Hi all,


Glad to be a part of this forum. This is my first post on here and I'm still learning as I go along.

Here is my current setup:

Macbook Pro 2019 with 4 thunderbolt ports

Three Dell monitors - two have DisplayPort and one is much older that supports DVI/VGA.

I also have a Belkin dock - it has one DisplayPort input and one input that looks like USB-C. One Dell monitor is connected to the DisplayPort and the other monitor connects using a custom cable USB-C (?) to DisplayPort. There is one USB-C output that goes into the Mac's thunderbolt.


What I'd like to do is add the older Dell monitor into the mix. I managed to grab a DVI to USB-C cable, so the DVI plugs into the monitor and the USB-C into one of my thunderbolt ports. Obviously, it didn't work, which is why I'm here.


Spoke to Apple support, they of course insisted it's not possible, since the MBP 2019 can only handle 2 external monitors.


I'm hoping someone here can help me out and assist me in getting that third monitor added into my set. Thanks so much, I really appreciate the help.

Based on your description I have a few quick questions for you:

1. My impression based on your description is that you are using a MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) model laptop --> https://support.apple.com/kb/SP795?locale=en_US

Can you please confirm if my impression is correct?

2. Can you please provide the specific model number (or a direct web link to) of the Belkin docking station you are using?

3. You mention you have three Dell monitors. Can you please provide the specific model numbers of each Dell monitor?

For example, 'U2415' or 'U2421M'.

If you are unsure which specific models you are using, this information is typically printed on a label on the back of the monitor. In addition, almost all Dell monitors will display their model number when you access their internal on-screen menu system.

I ask because I would like to be sure I understand precisely which products are in use, prior to making a recommendation.

[deker0]

1. My impression based on your description is that you are using a MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) model laptop --> https://support.apple.com/kb/SP795?locale=en_US

Can you please confirm if my impression is correct?


Yes, this is correct.



2. Can you please provide the specific model number (or a direct web link to) of the Belkin docking station you are using?


Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock - F4U095



3. You mention you have three Dell monitors. Can you please provide the specific model numbers of each Dell monitor?


2 x Dell P2319H, and 1 x Dell P2314H.

[deker0]

Hi, just wanted to check to see if anyone had some thoughts on my setup?


Thanks.

[rboerner]

1. My impression based on your description is that you are using a MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) model laptop --> https://support.apple.com/kb/SP795?locale=en_US

Can you please confirm if my impression is correct?


Yes, this is correct.



2. Can you please provide the specific model number (or a direct web link to) of the Belkin docking station you are using?


Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock - F4U095



3. You mention you have three Dell monitors. Can you please provide the specific model numbers of each Dell monitor?


2 x Dell P2319H, and 1 x Dell P2314H.

Apologies for the delay in my reply...

The Mac you are using is limited to two external displays via a Thunderbolt device, as you have already determined and as Apple states.

You can add one additional display to your existing setup by purchasing a USB video adapter based on DisplayLink USB video technology, and then connecting that adapter to one of the USB ports within your existing Belkin docking station.

There a few things you will need to do:

A. Install the required DisplayLink Manager Application on your Mac --> https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/downloads/macos

B. Ensure that the DisplayLink USB video adapter you purchase has the correct video output port (or adapters) in order to be used with whichever Dell display is intended to be the third in your setup.

DisplayLink has a web page that lists all products based on DisplayLink technology (by device type) here --> https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/displaylink-products

[deker0]

Thanks for this info. Would the following product work:

https://www.startech.com/en-us/display-video-adapters/cdp2hd


This is available at my local store.



Apologies for the delay in my reply...

The Mac you are using is limited to two external displays via a Thunderbolt device, as you have already determined and as Apple states.

You can add one additional display to your existing setup by purchasing a USB video adapter based on DisplayLink USB video technology, and then connecting that adapter to one of the USB ports within your existing Belkin docking station.

There a few things you will need to do:

A. Install the required DisplayLink Manager Application on your Mac --> https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/downloads/macos

B. Ensure that the DisplayLink USB video adapter you purchase has the correct video output port (or adapters) in order to be used with whichever Dell display is intended to be the third in your setup.

DisplayLink has a web page that lists all products based on DisplayLink technology (by device type) here --> https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/displaylink-products

[leatherviz]

Hi,
Nice information posted here. Informative post.
Thanks and Regards
Leatherviz

[rboerner]

Thanks for this info. Would the following product work:

https://www.startech.com/en-us/display-video-adapters/cdp2hd


This is available at my local store.

The StarTech product you linked to does NOT have DisplayLink technology inside of it, so it will not work in the scenario I described previously.

You can find products based on DisplayLink technology using the page --> https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/displaylink-products I referenced previously.

[deker0]

The StarTech product you linked to does NOT have DisplayLink technology inside of it, so it will not work in the scenario I described previously.

You can find products based on DisplayLink technology using the page --> https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/displaylink-products I referenced previously.

Thanks for catching that. I ended up going with the following product -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078869LWB/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=depregarde-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=bbe8fa2310146f93626779fd8a425dc9&camp=1789&creative=9325

It's working great. Thanks again for all of your help.

[rboerner]

Thanks for catching that. I ended up going with the following product -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078869LWB/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=depregarde-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=bbe8fa2310146f93626779fd8a425dc9&camp=1789&creative=9325

It's working great. Thanks again for all of your help.

Thank you for the follow-up post, and I am glad I could be of help :-)