by In addition to the new iMac with the 10-core M4 chip, which is the first Mac to support an external display up to 8K at 120 Hz, the computer also supports up to two 6K external displays at 60 Hz. This is a very notable upgrade, as lower-end Apple Silicon Macs like the MacBook Air, entry-level MacBook Pro, and previous iMac models have mostly been limited to a single external display, at least on an official basis.
Two exceptions are the 14-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with the M3 chip, which support up to two external displays, but only when the laptop lid is closed. Another exception is the Mac mini, which has an HDMI port for connecting a second display. DisplayLink adapters have also been a viable solution for multiple external displays since the first Apple Silicon Macs featuring the M1 chip launched in 2020.
But the 10-core M4 chip stands out because it will bring proper dual external display support to lower-end Macs for the first time since Apple silicon launched, with no special tricks required. No more DisplayLink adapters and no more closing the MacBook lid. This is a significant and long-awaited advancement for Apple silicon.
High-end Apple Silicon Macs have supported multiple external displays since the launch of MacBook Pro models with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips in 2021.
Apple is expected to announce a new entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro this week featuring the 10-core M4 chip, and an alleged leak has already confirmed that the laptop will support two external displays with the lid open. Next year, the M4 chip is expected to be expanded to the MacBook Air, and 10-core configurations are also expected to support dual external displays.
The new iMac is available for pre-order now and launches on Friday, November 8.
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