My Mac Didn’t Support Two External Monitors, So I Used a Plugable Dock With Display Link

I like my Mac, but there was one limitation that became increasingly frustrating as I built out my desk setup: my Mac did not natively support the multiple external monitors I wanted to use.

For my daily work, a single external monitor simply wasn't enough. I wanted a proper multi-monitor workspace where I could keep different applications, browser windows, documents, and communication tools open without constantly switching between them.

After looking for different workarounds, I found a surprisingly straightforward solution: the Plugable UD-6950PDZ docking station.

Plugable UD-6950PDZ Docking Station

The important part is that this isn't just a regular USB-C dock. It uses DisplayLink technology, which can provide additional display outputs even when the Mac itself has limitations on how many external monitors it can natively drive.

The Problem: My Mac Wouldn't Support the Monitor Setup I Wanted

 

For reference, this is the Mac configuration I'm personally using:

• Mac: 16-inch MacBook Pro

• Model year: 2023

• Memory: 36GB

• Operating system: macOS Tahoe

• Dock: Plugable UD-6950PDZ

• Display software: DisplayLink Manager

 

If you have used different generations of Apple Silicon Macs, you probably know that external display support can be confusing.

You can have a powerful Mac that handles almost everything you throw at it, but depending on the model and processor, there can still be limitations on the number of external displays it supports natively.

That was the problem I ran into.

I wanted to connect multiple external monitors to create a more productive desktop setup, but simply plugging them into a normal hub wasn't solving the problem.

I initially assumed that buying any USB-C dock with multiple HDMI or DisplayPort connections would be enough.

It isn't necessarily that simple.

Adding more physical display ports doesn't automatically increase the number of displays your Mac can support. You need a dock or adapter with technology designed to work around that limitation.

That's where DisplayLink comes in.

My Solution: Plugable UD-6950PDZ

I ended up getting the Plugable UD-6950PDZ USB-C docking station.

The dock is designed for multi-monitor setups and can support up to three external 4K displays, depending on the computer and connection being used. It includes both HDMI and DisplayPort connections, so there is quite a bit of flexibility when choosing monitors and cables.

More importantly for Mac users, two of the display outputs are powered using DisplayLink USB graphics technology. Plugable says the dock combines the Mac's native USB-C DisplayPort output for one display with DisplayLink technology for the additional displays.

This is what makes the dock particularly useful for Macs that would otherwise be limited in their external display support.

Plugable specifically states that the UD-6950PDZ can connect three displays even to base M1, M2, and M3 Macs that normally support only one external display, provided DisplayLink Manager is installed.

 

You Need to Install DisplayLink Manager

There is one important step that isn't necessarily obvious when you first connect everything.

You need DisplayLink software.

When I initially connected the dock, I needed to download and install DisplayLink Manager on my Mac. Once I had the software installed and configured correctly, everything started working as expected.

Plugable confirms that DisplayLink software is required for the UD-6950PDZ to provide its full functionality on macOS. The company recommends using the latest version of DisplayLink Manager.

macOS also requires you to give DisplayLink Manager Screen Recording permission.

That wording can sound concerning because you aren't actually trying to record your screen. According to Plugable, macOS requires this permission so DisplayLink can send display data over USB to the DisplayLink-powered monitors. Plugable says the software isn't storing or recording your screen images as part of this process.

Once I installed DisplayLink Manager, granted the required permission, and connected my monitors, everything worked like a charm.

 

More Than Just a Monitor Adapter

Another thing I like about the UD-6950PDZ is that it isn't simply an adapter for adding another monitor.

It essentially becomes the center of the desk setup.

The dock provides up to 100W USB-C Power Delivery, so it can charge compatible laptops while they're connected. It also includes six USB 5Gbps Type-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm headset connection.

That means I can connect my Mac to the dock with a single USB-C cable and have access to my monitors and other desk peripherals.

For someone who regularly disconnects a MacBook to take it somewhere and then reconnects it at a desk, that makes the setup much cleaner.

What You Should Know Before Buying

Although my experience has been very good, there are a few things worth understanding before buying a DisplayLink dock.

First, DisplayLink is software-dependent. This isn't exactly the same as connecting every monitor directly to your Mac's GPU. DisplayLink Manager needs to be installed and running for the DisplayLink-controlled monitors to work.

Second, compatibility can depend on your exact Mac, macOS version, USB-C connection, monitors, and the resolution and refresh rate you're trying to achieve.

The UD-6950PDZ uses two different technologies for its three display outputs. One display is driven through the Mac's native USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode capability, while the other two are handled through DisplayLink.

There are also some DisplayLink limitations worth knowing about. For example, Plugable notes limitations involving HDCP-protected content, some Retina/HiDPI scaling configurations, and certain graphics-intensive applications.

So I wouldn't buy a DisplayLink dock primarily for gaming or other highly GPU-dependent workloads.

For a productivity setup, however, it has worked very well for me.

Is the Plugable UD-6950PDZ Worth It for Mac Users?

For my particular problem, yes.

I wasn't looking for a complicated workaround. I simply wanted to connect multiple monitors to my Mac and have a reliable desktop setup.

The Plugable UD-6950PDZ solved that problem.

My setup process was essentially:

1. Connect the Plugable dock to the Mac.

2. Connect the external monitors to the dock.

3. Download and install DisplayLink Manager for macOS.

4. Give DisplayLink the required macOS permissions.

5. Arrange the displays from macOS Display Settings.

After that, everything worked.

If your Mac doesn't natively support the number of external monitors you want to use, I think DisplayLink is one of the first solutions worth looking into. Instead of replacing an otherwise perfectly capable Mac just to gain better external display support, a DisplayLink-compatible dock can potentially solve the problem.

For me, Plugable was the solution.

The Mac limitation was frustrating, but after installing DisplayLink and setting up the UD-6950PDZ, I finally got the multi-monitor workspace I wanted.

Product: Plugable UD-6950PDZ USB-C Docking Station
Best for: Mac users who need additional external displays for productivity
My experience: Easy to set up after installing DisplayLink Manager, and it has worked reliably for my multi-monitor setup.

View the Plugable UD-6950PDZ