Here’s how to find out what kind of monitor your Mac can handle: In this example, you can see that a 2011 MacBook Air 13-inch can display its native resolution on the built-in display while also outputting video to an external display at a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. That means this particular Mac could handle a 1080p display easily, but it wouldn’t work with a 4K monitor.
How to Set Up Dual Monitors On a Mac
Once you’ve obtained a monitor for your MacBook or two monitors for a desktop Mac, you’ve verified your Mac can handle the monitors, and you have either the necessary cables and adapters, you’re ready to set up dual monitors on your Mac. Here’s how to set up dual monitors on a Mac:
How to Set Up Displays Wirelessly in Ventura
Wireless display connection options have been added as of macOS 13 (Ventura). If you’ve upgraded to Ventura—or are planning to—the process of wirelessly connecting an additional display is very straightforward. This is primarily intended to work with other Apple devices. To add your iPad, Apple TV, etc as an extra display, open the Apple menu on your Mac and select System Settings > Displays. Next, open the plus (+) drop-down menu and choose the device you want to start using.
How to Choose a Monitor for a Mac
If you’ve never set up dual monitors before, finding the right monitor can seem like a daunting prospect. To choose the right monitor, you need to consider the display’s size, resolution, color accuracy, and other characteristics. If you have a desktop Mac that already has a monitor, matching that monitor with another identical unit provides the smoothest experience. If you’re adding a second monitor to your MacBook, you may want to consider going with a bigger 4k monitor to maximize your screen real estate or a compact flat panel display that you can take with you on the go. It’s also important to consider the type of inputs a monitor accepts, but that isn’t as big a deal. If you find the ideal monitor, but it only has HDMI inputs, and you’re using a MacBook that only has USB-C, all you need to do is pick up a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a USB-C hub that includes an HDMI port. You can also find adapters to go from HDMI to other outputs like Mini DisplayPort, so don’t let inputs hold you back when choosing a monitor.
