MacBook Air and Pro – Resolutions and Monitors

Information about screens and supported monitors across MacBook models is scattered across Apple documentation and forums. It’s hard to find one place to quickly check the differences. So I put together a comparison in table and list form — for an easy overview of what each model offers.

Screen Resolutions

Model	Physical	Default (scaled)	"More space"
MacBook Air 13 (13.6")	2560×1664	1470×956	1710×1112
MacBook Air 15 (15.3")	2880×1864	1710×1107	1920×1243
MacBook Pro 14 (14.2")	3024×1964	1512×982	1800×1169
MacBook Pro 16 (16.2")	3456×2234	1728×1117	2056×1329

External Monitors

• MacBook Air M1/M2 + MacBook Pro 13 M1 → 1 monitor up to 6K/60 Hz
• MacBook Air M3 → 2 monitors, but only with the lid closed
• MacBook Air M4 → 2 monitors with the lid open (finally!)
• MacBook Pro 14 and 16:
  • with Pro → up to 2 monitors
  • with Max → up to 4 monitors

Table: Monitor Support

Model	1 monitor	2 monitors	4 monitors
Air M1 / Pro 13 M1	✅	❌	❌
Air M2	✅	❌	❌
Air M3	✅	✅*	❌
Air M4	✅	✅	❌
Pro 14/16 M1 Pro	✅	✅	❌
Pro 14/16 M1 Max	✅	✅	✅
Pro 14/16 M2 Pro	✅	✅	❌
Pro 14/16 M2 Max	✅	✅	✅
Pro 14/16 M3 Pro	✅	✅	❌
Pro 14/16 M3 Max	✅	✅	✅
Pro 14 M4	✅	✅	❌
Pro 14/16 M4 Pro	✅	✅	❌
Pro 14/16 M4 Max	✅	✅	✅

* only with the lid closed

Summary

• If you want more than one monitor and use an Air — it’s best to go straight for M4.
• Pro with Max chip is the only sensible choice for people who need truly many screens.
• For most users 2 monitors is enough — and from M4 in Air, that works normally without closing the lid.

👉 This comparison is for quick reference when choosing a new MacBook.