The introduction of the M3 MacBook Air models came with the announcement of support for up to two 5K external displays in clamshell mode, a feature not initially available on the 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the same M3 chip. This discrepancy raised questions, given the shared chip between the two devices.
Apple has acknowledged this gap and is taking steps to address it through a forthcoming software update specifically for the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro.
This update will enable the device to support two external displays when used in clamshell mode.
Both the M3 MacBook Air and the M3 MacBook Pro currently offer support for a single external display, capable of up to 6K resolution at 60Hz with the laptop’s display open.
The upcoming software update will extend these capabilities, allowing both M3 MacBook models to connect to two 5K external displays with up to 60Hz resolution, matching the performance offered by Apple’s Studio Display when in clamshell mode.
This enhancement is particularly relevant for the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 chip, as the higher-end M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro models already possess the ability to drive multiple displays.
This adjustment signifies Apple’s commitment to uniformity across its product range, ensuring that users of the 14-inch MacBook Pro can enjoy similar multi-display functionalities as those available to MacBook Air users and owners of the more advanced MacBook Pro models.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro, which has replaced the previous 13-inch model, will thus join its counterparts in offering more versatile display options, catering to the needs of users requiring expanded screen real estate for their professional and personal tasks.
