I use it after first boot if needed, and keep one for ‘4 monitors’ and one for ‘5 monitors’ (when using Sidecar with iPad) After a moment everything is working as expected.īetterTouchTool has a newish feature to capture your current window layout across all open apps and displays and lets you assign a shortcut to put everything back where you intended. Since my DisplayLink connections are both on the same ThinkPad dock (1 built-in, 1 USB), I just toggle the dock off, connect the iPad with Sidecar, and turn it back on. I sometimes add an iPad in Sidecar mode, but that needs to connect before DisplayLink or it will error out, likely since the mini is flabbergasted at the number of monitors it sees attached at that moment.
It’s nice that DisplayLink connections let an M1 machine have unlimited displays, and that the performance of their driver under Big Sur and above has been fantastic (for me) for the past half year driving 2 extra displays. A simple USB hub can be found for less than $15.īelow you'll find some USB hubs we've either tested ourselves or that have strong reviews and high ratings.Like you said, my M1 Mac mini “officially” supports two monitors plugged in directly. You can opt for a dedicated docking station that adds multiple connection types, ranging from Thunderbolt to an SD card reader, or you can add a simple USB hub that converts a single USB port into multiple USB ports.Ī docking station has many advantages, but one disadvantage is the price, with options often costing several hundreds of dollars. You have a few different options when it comes to adding more ports to your computer.
With the number of ports dwindling, figuring out how to connect a better webcam, wireless keyboard, mouse and maybe a dedicated microphone along with an external drive is a chore.
Be it a Mac or a PC, the number of ports on a desktop or laptop has gone down in recent years (save for the newest MacBook Pro where Apple reversed course).
We analyzed number of ports, type of ports, USB speed, and OS support.Īs we continue to work remotely, we're tasked with connecting more accessories and devices to our computers.
What is the best cheap USB hub? Check out our expert picks for the top 5 best USB hubs for those looking to save a little cash.
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