MacBook Pro M4 with thunderbolt 5 and portable monitor

I just bought the new M4 pro with thunderbolt 5, but looks like it doesn't work with any portable monitors. I tried 3 of them using only one cable for both power and signal #portable. It only works if you power up the monitor then the power pass through it and then it can charge the laptop too.

Anyone experienced the same issue or if you have a similar setup can you check to see if is not just me? I also went to the Apple Store to check with a range of M* macs and looks like the only one with this issue is the M4pro w/ tb 5 (tested using both thunderbolt 4&5 cables)

I called the support but they just pass me around for 1h until they hang up eventually without saying goodbye :).

Just want to know if this is software fixable or a hardware issue as I do use this nomad setup quite often.

Thanks.

MacBook Pro 14″

Posted on Nov 14, 2024 7:35 AM

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Top-ranking reply

donini

Level 1

26 points

Posted on Jan 16, 2025 9:53 AM

Dear Apple, as loyal users we need an official solution or at least an answer from the support and engineers team, we're getting tired of asking for simple fixes like this one.

From a user perspective who mostly uses Macbooks as an option for portable computers with as many cables as possible, we're not requesting something crazy, we're just asking for you to make something work as it used to work since the first M1 chips.

It's so disappointing to see a portable monitor working in an M1 MBP but not in the latest version of your hardware. I know I speak on behalf of many global users, especially on M4 PRO and M4 MAX chips.

Please, treat this issue, and this request with all the respect your users deserve.

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Nov 24, 2024 7:41 PM in response to BigSnuffy

Same question.

Nov 24, 2024 8:46 PM in response to dragos-florin

Yeah does not for me either. What a disappointment

Dec 7, 2024 8:12 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

well, there is this presentation in "system report":

Good catch. There is one there for regular USB – I had forgotten about that.

joobuzz

Level 1

43 points

Dec 10, 2024 3:49 AM in response to oliverfromoslo

Thanks for the reply. I'd prefer to order one from Amazon UK, but will keep looking.

Dec 10, 2024 4:29 AM in response to a brody

Bad take.

If we find monitors that works we can help resolve this issue.

joobuzz

Level 1

43 points

Dec 11, 2024 12:36 AM in response to lindowmac

That’s one ordered from Germany for around £34. I’ll post an up update here when it arrives to confirm whether it works with the Arzopa 2.5k 16” portable monitor.