Macbook Pro 2013 with two external monitors (Docking station)?

Hi there,
I am currently using an iMac 27 2013, but have come to the conclusion that a Macbook Pro 13" would suit my needs better as I now often need a mobile solution.
However, when at home, I would like to hook it up to my two external Dell (Mini DP) monitors in order to have more workspace.
For that, I am looking for some kind of Docking Station because it would be awesome just to have to plug in one cable and not all the USB cables for my other stuff, like midi keyboard etc.
Is there something I can purchase that offers me all I need or would you rather stay with the iMac?
Thank you!

Maybe someone with a 2010 model will jump in and correct me, but as you only have a single Mini DsplayPort adapter, I don't think that it's possible to have two external models on a 2010 model. You can only do it on 2011+ via Thunderbolt using Thunderbolt Displays.
You might want to ask your question in the Apple Cinema Display forum, though. I'm just not aware that it can be done.
Clinton

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Latest MacBook Pro 15" and two external monitors?

Hi,
I currently already have two Dell U2713HM monitors and was looking to purchase one of the latest model MacBook Pro 15" laptops. I was wondering if there would be any issues in connecting the two monitors via the two Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort connections on the laptop and achieving a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels on each external monitor?
I was specifically looking at using one of the Henge Docks (http://hengedocks.com/pages/vertical-macbook-pro-retina#2) to connect the laptop to the monitors. And the Henge Dock states that it has Mini DisplayPort connections on it. Does the dock convert the Thunderbolt port to a Mini DisplayPort connection, or can you plug Mini DisplayPort connections directly into the Thunderbolt ports anyway?
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Zolt

I doubt that you can. Doesn't the Sound prefpane require you to select just one output device?

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Hi guys, I have been searching for a way to have 2 monitors without macbook's screen itself.
I'm aware of various adapters through usb and etc.
But Im thinking, if mac book is only capable of outputing 2 displays, why not outputing main display to one external monitor, instead of the screen on the computer, and the other external montior as a extra one?
Is it possible ? so basically 2 external monitor with macbooks screen switched off.
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Maybe someone with a 2010 model will jump in and correct me, but as you only have a single Mini DsplayPort adapter, I don't think that it's possible to have two external models on a 2010 model. You can only do it on 2011+ via Thunderbolt using Thunderbolt Displays.
You might want to ask your question in the Apple Cinema Display forum, though. I'm just not aware that it can be done.
Clinton

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USB video has performance limitations, but it's fine for stuff that doesn't involve fast-action video.
ah yes, sorry, the new USB 3 now supports speeds up to 5 GB/sec so it may become suitable for AV use. Actually, only ThunderBolt (and HDMI) has higher speed than the USB 3 port.
but I just found this page here at the Apple support, which states that the Air and Pro both support 2 displays and the retina MBP one more through the HDMI port, so I guess now it's official

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Hi all,
I just looking for a solution, to make it work: With a thunderbolt port MB Pro 15" (2011-eraly, 2011 late, 2012 mid NOT RETINA version), which has only one thunderbolt port. How its possible to plug two (min. 2560x1440) high resolution NOT APPLE Display (daisy chain). I got now one Dell 3011 and I plan to plug a second one. BUT how?
It is any HUB or something like that, which create from the one thunderbolt port »» two mini or standard diplay port, or dual DVI, so two separate connector which can handle the high resolution?
I saw lot of solution up to 1920x1200 (dualhead2go, etc.), but nowhere found any idea to handle with a MB Pro 15" thunderbolt version multiple (dual) external HIGH Resolution monitor 27-30" (2560x1440, or 2560x1600).

Try Googling "macbook pro thunderbolt dual display adapter" - there are a number of hits (even a YouTube video). See if you can find what might work best for you. I'm sure that someone around here has acheived this - they're jut not chiming in at the moment. Also check with OWC and see if they have anything. You can call them at 1.800.275.4576.
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Hello PersieDuncan
Check out what the resolution is set to in System Preferences > Display and change if it needs to be. Also check out the troubleshooting in the article below for issues with internal and external display.
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1573
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Hi there,
I'm new here and it would be great if anybody could give me some advice about my Macbook Pro issue. First of all, I would like to thank all the contributors for your comments. I'll go to an Apple Store asap, but I'll really appreciate any of your comments so I'll know more about this issue and how to manage it.
My device details are:
Macbook Pro / 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 / 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3 / Macintosh HD / Mac OS X 10.6.8
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
Other connected equipment:
HP Monitor Pavilion 22xi (with an official Apple adapter - projector's plug)
Wacom tablet Bamboo Fun (USB connection)
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The troubleshooting steps that I've tried are:
After waiting several minutes and without any response, I have to restart my laptop. When it turns on a Panic Report message pops up. It says that a severe problem made me turn the laptop off suddenly (or something like that). The Panic Report says something about "kernel_task", I have no idea what it is, just in case it could help to clarify more (I've printed all these panic reports).
I also have to mention that this laptop gets really hot on the left side, which I reckon it's a very common thing in these devices. I have to use a desktop electric fan to provide relief to both of us
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Clara

I would suggest that you run AHT using Using Apple Hardware Test. You can either reboot the machine and press the D key, or use your second Grey disk. This would potentially show you any HW problems.
Typically these older machines exhibit GPU issues. There is a third-party application called gfxCardStatus, that can provide some insight as well.
This may or may not help if there are GPU issues - About NVRAM and PRAM (reset NVRAM/PRAM/SMC).
It is possible to enable remote access (via SSH) and even if the screen is not working, the machine can be accessed remotely. Please see System Preferences -> Sharing.
Can you run a test with both the lid of the MBP and the external monitor plugged in. Does your external monitor disconnect, but the internal one still show a screen?

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If I connect a external monitor and keyboard to my late 2011 Macbook Pro (running Lion) it starts up just fine.
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My Macbook was less than 90 days old, so I booked a telephone support call from Apple. But they couldn't help. So I booked a genius bar appointment. I turned up, powered up my Macbook, and it worked fine!
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My Macbook normally sits on an aluminium cooling pad, which in turns sits on a steel laptop stand. And when sitting on both of these (or just the stand) it exhibited the behaviour above. However, when I put it on a wooden desk it worked fine! So I replaced the aluminium cooler with a gel pad and it still worked fine. But why...?
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Hi,
I deal with very similar issues. I have Samsung S24C650PL 1080p (connected with HDMI), which I bought one year ago. I used it a lot with Windows without any issues. Last week I bought my first Macbook Pro Retina and since than it is a pain.
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Call the Apple support and talk with them for 40+ minutes --> no effect and no help
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Install Foxit Reader for Windows under Wine (even that is much better than Preview app.)
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Hi Hello1852,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
To use another Mac as a secondary display with your Mac, it will need to be an iMac, not a portable Mac. To learn more about using another Mac as a secondary display, take a look at the article below.
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Macbook Pro 2013 with two external monitors (Docking station)?

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