Apple introduced USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 to its MacBook and MacBook Pro models in late 2016. This new IO interface enables power, video, and data to all flow through one connection. However in terms of video, not all models have the same video capability over USB-C.
The 12" MacBook only has one USB-C port and supports one external display. The maximum resolution is capped at 4K @ 60hz.
The MacBook Pro model is equipped with the more powerful Thunderbolt 3 technology. It comes with up to 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports depending on the model. The table below describes the maximum number of external displays each MacBook Pro supports.
| Model | Number of Ports | External 4K Displays Supported | External 5K Displays Supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook | 1x USB-C | 1 | 0 |
| 13 Inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar |
2x Thunderbolt 3 |
2 | 1 |
| 13 Inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar | 4x Thunderbolt 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 15 Inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar | 4x Thunderbolt 3 | 4 | 2 (one on the left side, one on the right side) |