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macos-10.13-security

If you utilize macOS with multiple displays and haven't updated to 10.xiii.4 yet, y'all may want to avert information technology depending on your system configuration. While the latest update has been praised for calculation formal support for external AMD graphics (Nvidia is non officially supported), information technology appears to have come with a hell of a caveat — users of DisplayLink technologies and compatible monitors have constitute their power to use these solutions sharply curtailed, at best. Other screen-extension tools announced to be affected too.

DisplayLink is used to allow computers to run displays via USB engineering science. It's deployed across a number of different products, and there are software solutions that leverage it in various ways, typically to extend or clone a Mac desktop. And as of macOS x.13.4, none of those solutions seem to be working — or at least, they're not working commonly. As of this writing, the trouble appears to exist broader than just DisplayLink; programs similar Duet Display, iDisplay, the Plugable Triple Brandish Docking Station and Air Display all appear to be semi-functional at all-time. It is not clear if all of these software products rely on DisplayLink, but all of them are having bug in the wake of the x.13.4 update.

Duet display in action.

The trouble appears to be this: As of 10.13.iv, Apple has restricted GPU support to the ports that direct connect to the GPU. The squad behind the Plugable Triple Dockstation writes:

If this production is beingness used with a Mac, nosotros have of import news almost macOS ten.thirteen.4. This new macOS release only supports displays which are directly provided by a GPU or via AirPlay.

For this dock, this means versions of Apple macOS after x.13.3 volition only support the unmarried 4K HDMI port on the dock which uses DisplayPort Over USB-C technology (which is direct GPU connected). The second and third displays on the dock — the DVI and 2K HDMI ports using DisplayLink technology — will no longer function. Windows and Chromebook computers are not affected, and will continue to work as usual.

Take Activity

To continue to use all dock functions with your Mac, macOS updates must be disabled to remain on 10.thirteen.iii.

That rationale has been picked up past other companies, though information technology'due south not clear if Apple has formally confirmed it to anyone. Regardless, it's a problem that was known to exist in the beta version of 10.thirteen.4 and was not resolved before launch. It is non articulate if Apple plans to resolve information technology at all.

To be clear: This bug does not exist if you connect your laptop or desktop to a GPU-driven port like mini DisplayPort. It also shouldn't impact any displays driven past Thunderbolt; Thunderbolt is an extension of the PCI Express protocol and any brandish plugged into a compatible Thunderbolt port should have no problem with external connectivity. But it's clear from reading diverse comments in product forums that plenty of people accept been blindsided by this alter, with no solution from Apple in sight. A handful of products accept managed to make a partial improvement by restoring the ability to clone a desktop, simply a cloned desktop is not a replacement for an extended workspace.

There'southward no discussion from Apple on whether a prepare will be incoming.