If you need more screen real estate, daisy chaining is an excellent solution for connecting multiple monitors to your laptop or desktop while keeping cables to a minimum. Using one output port, either DisplayPort or Thunderbolt, you can connect several monitors for increased flexibility, allowing you to display different apps or duplicate your screen across multiple monitors. Here’s how to use daisy chaining for different types of connections.
1. Daisy Chain via Thunderbolt
To daisy chain monitors via Thunderbolt, ensure that all your devices (laptop/desktop and monitors) have Thunderbolt 3 or higher ports. Thunderbolt 3/4 cables are required for all connections, and you’ll need at least one cable for each monitor beyond the first.
Steps to Daisy Chain via Thunderbolt:
- Power on all monitors.
- Connect the Thunderbolt out port on your laptop to the Thunderbolt in port on monitor 1.
- Connect the Thunderbolt out port on monitor 1 to the Thunderbolt in port on monitor 2.
- Repeat step #3 for any additional monitors.
Note: For the final monitor, you can also use a USB-C cable with DP Alt mode support. Ensure your Mac device is compatible with multiple external displays, as this depends on the specific Mac model and chip.
2. Daisy Chain via DisplayPort
DisplayPort daisy chaining is widely supported and works well for both Windows and Linux-based PCs. You’ll need monitors with DisplayPort input and output ports.
Steps to Daisy Chain via DisplayPort:
- Power on all monitors.
- Connect the DisplayPort out port on your laptop to the DisplayPort in port on monitor 1.
- Connect the DisplayPort out port on monitor 1 to the DisplayPort in port on monitor 2.
- Continue the same pattern for additional monitors.
Tip: DisplayPort MST (Multi-Stream Transport) must be enabled in your settings to support daisy chaining.
3. Daisy Chain via USB-C
Some monitors support daisy chaining via USB-C, but the monitor and laptop must support DP Alt mode (DisplayPort Alternate Mode). This mode allows a USB-C port to handle DisplayPort signals.
Steps to Daisy Chain via USB-C:
- Power on all monitors.
- Connect the USB-C out port on your laptop to the USB-C in port on monitor 1.
- Connect the USB-C out port on monitor 1 to the USB-C in port on monitor 2.
- Repeat the same steps for any subsequent monitors.
Important Note: Daisy chaining is not supported via HDMI or standard USB ports. Mac devices with M1 or M2 chips can only connect to one external display, so be sure to verify compatibility with your device.
Conclusion
Daisy chaining allows you to extend your screen space using a single output port on your laptop or desktop, making it ideal for multitasking or gaming setups. Whether you’re using Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, or USB-C, daisy chaining is a simple and flexible way to connect multiple monitors without the clutter of extra cables. Just follow the steps for your specific connection type, and enjoy a streamlined multi-monitor setup!
