It kills me that I can only get ONE external monitor. It would otherwise be perfect.

Check out the DisplayLink stuff. I think it works pretty well. I even devote one DisplayLink screen to security cameras (4-6 640x480 cameras at 15fps). I also use that screen to play YouTube videos, if I'm following along with something

It handles it just fine at 8-10% CPU usage on an M1.

There are adapters that let you use multiple and bypass that limit. Kensington has a few.

This one is pricier but also doubles as a docking station/100w PD:

https://www.kensington.com/p/products/device-docking-connect...

They have some cheaper, more basic models too.

edit: for the record I think this limit is stupid and the biggest flaw of the Air. You're right that other than that, it's a damn near perfect daily driver.

I couldn't agree more - I was shocked when I discovered the Air can't natively drive two displays, even with many docks. The only real solution are things like that kensington dock's display-over-USB hack which is not as reliable as a native monitor connection in my experience, and requires additional driver software on your OS :(

I just took it for-granted that every laptop in this price range on sale today will by and large be able to drive two external displays, but nope!

I ended up using a "double wide"/32:9 style monitor - the Samsung CRG9 - these 32:9 panels can be had in 5120 x 1440 resolution, which is exactly the size and res of two 27 inch 1440p panels side by side but in a single display. Works great on the Air, although its not a super cheap option.

> https://www.samsung.com/ca/monitors/gaming/super-ultra-wide-...

Which comes with drawbacks. Video is sent out compressed over USB protocol which requires CPU cycles, more resolution + moving images = more CPU grunt required. Plus there is the risk some update will break the driver making your dock useless.

The chip in the Air is no different from the Pro. And the Air has enough unified memory to drive >1 external display at high resolution.

This limitation is purely artificial/for market segmentation purposes.

The M2 MBP also can only drive 1 external display. The M2 Pro and M2 Max variants can drive more. Apple only put two display controllers in the M1/M2 chips which is why they support so few monitors.

It's still for market segmentation but there is a hardware reason.

I think you're right, but the irony is the segmentation isn't working - in my experience no customer notices this drawback on the Air until after they've bought it. Everyone (quite rightly) assumes a 1000 dollar+ laptop will probably drive two displays in a pinch.

I don't know anyone who went "Ah! only one monitor support!? I better move up the range to get that 2nd display support..." etc. You would really need to get into the weeds on the spec sheets to notice ahead of purchase.

I actually find many more people doing the opposite - choosing to move "down range" to the Air for the form factor, given it still has a great CPU. These power users who choose based on the great form factor get hurt the worst on this.

What are the cheaper options? We use a lot of MacBook Air M2s at work, would really like a cheaper solution!

My biggest issue with the early Airs is that they were so aggressive with how thin the display is, that the LCD is often damaged by the bag you keep it in from the outside.

A replacement display is basically 70+% the cost of the entire machine.

AppleCare had to replace two of them on my Sandy Bridge MacBook Air. They blamed the bag I kept it in(when replacing it the second time), but they also sold me the bag.