I was looking for an adapter that allows me to output to two external displays using just a single port and I realized that USB-C is not the way to go. USB-C specifications only allow one external display per USB-C port.

So the next logical thing to search is for Thunderbolt 3 adapters and I found the Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual 4K or Single 5K DisplayPort Adapter from Amazon retailing for US$79.99 (S$112).

As usual, it doesn’t ship to Singapore directly, so I have to use a freight forwarder like HopShopGo to ship it to Singapore.

Specifications

  • Input Cable: Thunderbolt 3 Male
  • Output Ports: 2x DisplayPort Female
  • Max Video Resolutions: 2x 4096 x 2160 (60Hz) or 1x 5120 x 2880 (60Hz)
  • Adapter Housing (LxHxD): 10 x 6.4 x 1.5 (cm)
  • Adapter Weight: 97g
  • Cable Tail Length: 27cm
  • OS Compatibility: Windows 7.1 and up, macOS 10.12 and up

It seems that this is the only Thunderbolt 3 adapter that works on both Mac and Windows. Other brands like Plugable and StarTech Thunderbolt 3 Adapter works only on Windows.

I am using this adapter on my MacBook Pro 13″ (2017) and I can use a single Thunderbolt 3 port to output to two Dell UltraSharp 27 InfinityEdge Monitors (U2717D) at 2560 x 1440.

Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter - Box Front
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – Box Front
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter - Box Back
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – Box Back
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter - Box
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – Box
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter - Box Contents
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – Box Contents
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter - Instructions
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – Instructions
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter - Front
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – Front
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter - Back
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – Back
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter - Dual DisplayPort
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – Dual DisplayPort
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter - Thunderbolt 3 End
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – Thunderbolt 3 End
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter - Plugged In
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter – Plugged In