What are the differences in external display support between the MacBook Pro M4 and the Intel Core i9 model

MacBook Pro M4

The MacBook Pro models with the M4 and M4 Pro chips support up to two external displays simultaneously. These configurations include:
- Two external displays at up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt.
- One external display at up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and another at up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI.
- One external display at up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or up to 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI[1][7][10].

The M4 Max chip offers even more robust support, allowing up to four external displays simultaneously, with configurations including:
- Four external displays at various resolutions depending on the connection type.
- Two external displays at up to 8K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt, and additional displays at lower resolutions over HDMI[7][10].

Intel Core i9 MacBook Pro

The Intel Core i9 MacBook Pro models, particularly those from around 2019, can support up to four external displays depending on the specific model and configuration. However, this support typically requires using multiple ports and possibly a docking station. The exact configurations can vary, but generally, these models support multiple displays through a combination of Thunderbolt 3 ports and HDMI[2][8].

Key Differences

1. Chip Architecture: The M4 series benefits from Apple's integrated design, allowing for more efficient and flexible display support compared to Intel-based systems, which may require additional hardware for similar capabilities.

2. Resolution and Refresh Rate: The M4 models offer higher resolution and refresh rate options, such as 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz, which are not typically available on Intel Core i9 models without specific hardware configurations.

3. Port Flexibility: Apple's M-series MacBook Pros often have more versatile port options, including Thunderbolt 4 (and Thunderbolt 5 on M4 Pro and Max), which support higher display resolutions and refresh rates compared to the Thunderbolt 3 ports found on Intel models.

4. Integrated vs. External Solutions: While Intel models might require external docking stations to achieve multiple display setups, M-series MacBook Pros can often manage these configurations directly through their built-in ports.