TIL how to get my 7-year-old MacBook to Run External Monitors

#todayilearned

For a while, I've wanted to set up my laptop with a pair of monitors to make work a bit easier than just working on a laptop.

Now, this may seem easy, but my 2013 Macbook Air is old enough that ports have changed. Getting adapters for the old Thunderbolt 2 port is not so easy.

Try all the Cables!

Anyway, my laptop has Thunderbolt 2 and USB. The monitors have VGA, DisplayPort, and HDMI options.

The first thing I tried, based on a forum that suggested this, daisy-chaining the 2 monitors together than just hooking the one to my laptop. I tried all combinations possible and none worked.

I even asked on the apple community page and they told me this wasn't possible. Though, I persisted because I saw several people say they had it set up that way.

Splitter Adapters (Psst, 3rd time's a charm)

After trying all the cables, I tried to get a Thunderbolt 2 splitter because USB ports need to be available for other things.

Attempt 1

So, I ordered a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Monitor Splitter based on a review of someone saying they were running 2 monitors from their 2013 Macbook Air.

Vicki Langer ❄️

@vicki_langer

Got a new adapter to make my monitors work with my apparently old computer.

I’m procrastinating hooking it up because I’m worried it won’t work

22:47 PM - 28 Dec 2020

You guessed it, it definitely didn't work. Why didn't it work? It probably didn't work because it was for a Mini DisplayPort and not Thunderbolt 2. Though, it did mention MST which seemed to be a thunderbolt thing.

Attempt 2

The next adapter I purchased was a StarTech.com USB 3.0 to Dual HDMI Adapter.

Vicki Langer ❄️

@vicki_langer

Attempt 362... I am determined to get both monitors working

19:30 PM - 30 Dec 2020

Epic fail on my part, this one was for Windows only. I didn't realize it until I couldn't install the .dmg for the drivers. Oops

Splitter Adapter Attempt 3

Woohoo! It works! Honestly, I didn't think the monitors would work running from USB ports. I don't know why I thought that, but I'm glad I was wrong. The combination of a J5 Create (JUA365) and a USB hub is perfect.

On top of that, the readme for the adapter was fantastic and easy to understand.

Vicki Langer ❄️

@vicki_langer

Attempt 392: SUCCESS

Next up:
💻 Figure out how to close laptop and still have the monitors

Then: Hide all the cables!

14:46 PM - 04 Jan 2021

How to close the laptop?

I thought it was gonna require messing with settings to use just the monitors with the laptop closed. Turns out, it was super easy. Just close it.

I was told to make sure the hinge, where the vent is, is not on a solid surface and has room to breathe.

A happy side effect of closing my laptop: now I get to see all the stickers!

What's Left?

Now I just gotta hide the wires. I think all the wires on the desk are going to get hidden behind the monitors. That should work.

Oh, I also need to return all these failed attempt adapters. They were all > $50.

TL;DR
For my mid-2013 Macbook Air, the j5 create jua365 adapter is what allowed me to run 2 external monitors and the laptop screen. It also allows running the 2 monitors with the laptop closed.