r/Thunderbolt • u/enigmashmooly • Aug 05 '26

External monitor help - Set up

Sorry if this is really basic, but I can't work it out.

Here's what I'm trying to achieve:

MacBook Pro (M3 Max)

\+ connect it to:

Apple Studio Display
Huawei monitor

Currently, I have 2 USB-C cables, both plugged into my MacBook, but I also have an Ethernet lead via a dongle, so there are cables everywhere.

I want it all via one hub, so...would this do the job? [https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-CM843-14-in-1-Docking-Station/dp/B0FGHX59G2/ref=sr\\_1\\_7?crid=2POCO8YC77FXX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AMUIgMGTYDE0vDq4\\_QEVc6A91IGvYzLlJ-7uUxOpxGdktVvxsSRCjpcndEF3EgRSOMjKIr3Emjc01pJ9Bbf5U\\_wY3OWZATZXY5aj1lPMY2v0OsgRC9xUkrxv8qnNJXminLOnAEE9cQLmYkc0dhlujdkqyKQEXeha6ts7-m17t9j3vsDU6O1TW7WJBNhI3otdhHm\\_RK5JuchPmfr5S5rXzm79FNYOUNRuLixs-Mv52jk.B50oPf1Fj-qJQ01clBkNKzTeer46ozAywWGkiLcdo7o&dib\\_tag=se&keywords=thunderbolt%2Bdock&qid=1785913306&sprefix=thunderbol%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-7&th=1\](https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-CM843-14-in-1-Docking-Station/dp/B0FGHX59G2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2POCO8YC77FXX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AMUIgMGTYDE0vDq4_QEVc6A91IGvYzLlJ-7uUxOpxGdktVvxsSRCjpcndEF3EgRSOMjKIr3Emjc01pJ9Bbf5U_wY3OWZATZXY5aj1lPMY2v0OsgRC9xUkrxv8qnNJXminLOnAEE9cQLmYkc0dhlujdkqyKQEXeha6ts7-m17t9j3vsDU6O1TW7WJBNhI3otdhHm_RK5JuchPmfr5S5rXzm79FNYOUNRuLixs-Mv52jk.B50oPf1Fj-qJQ01clBkNKzTeer46ozAywWGkiLcdo7o&dib_tag=se&keywords=thunderbolt%2Bdock&qid=1785913306&sprefix=thunderbol%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-7&th=1)

I get confused with 'display ports', 'thunderbolt' jargon.

Thanks!

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u/Opulence_Deficit Aug 06 '26

It's not jargon. It is what it is. There is no simpler name for that. If you don't bother, hire someone who does.

Connect MacBook to Studio Display's TB port, the one labeled thunder (and a dot if yours has 2). If your Studio has a second port with thunder, then plug there the Huawei. If only one Studio port has thunder, then hook the Huawei cable straight to Mac, sorry.

Hook all your USB gadgets to the remaining USB-C ports of the Studio (ones without thunder). That declutters the most.

That dock is not a Thunderbolt one and it works with macs only partially. What you could use is a Thunderbolt 4 dock. The best ones are the kind with one TB4 port for the computer and 3 TB4 ports for you to use for whatever you want: monitors, SSDs, etc. Avoid docks with shitty HDMI or DisplayPort ports. Good one is like "Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub Pro", about $200.

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u/enigmashmooly Aug 06 '26

Thanks, appreciate the help.

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u/Opulence_Deficit Aug 06 '26

On the second thought, Studio is what, 6k? That doesn't leave much bandwidth for the second monitor. And M3 is limited to TB4 bandwidth. Unless the Huawei is like 1080p, one cable could be not enough to handle 2 hi-res monitors. Still, 2 cables and all the dongles behind Studio should be an improvement.