I have 2 monitors plugged into my MacBook Pro 2016, one via USB-C and another through a 5-port hub with HDMI. When the MacBook is not plugged in to power (through the hub) it seems to drain power very quickly. Would the monitors cause this? Thx.
MacBook – Do monitors and other peripherals – with their own power source – drain power from MacBook when plugged in via USB-C
macbook propowerusb
Related Solutions
I do not think it is a power problem.
Check in GarageBand if your device is showing up.
If not: I would start with getting the latest software for your MIDI device
Officially your MacBook Pro is only capable of simultaneously outputting a video feed to the internal display and a single external monitor.
However, there are a number of USB display adapters that will allow you to support a second external display.
USB Display Adapters
These are USB to VGA or USB to DVI adapters. Some of these support up to a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 or 2048x1152.
These three are guaranteed to work on Apple Macs and support a maximum resolution up to 2048x1152:
- Kensington Multi Display Adapter USB 3.0
- IOGear USB 3.0 to DVI External Video Card
- OWC USB to DVI/HDMI/VGA Adapter
These adapters work in by compressing and decompressing the video signal in order to utilise the limited bandwidth provided by USB 2.0 or USB 3.0.
However, you should be aware that there are limitations to USB Display Adapters. Namely they do not support OpenGL 3D hardware acceleration and you are likely to notice a lag.
If you're intention was to use these for gaming or animation/video editing, I'd say forget about it. But with your music production software it may be fine as the emphasis will be on the audio side of things, especially if you keep your graphics intensive work limited to the other display connected via the Thunderbolt port.
As far as how well a hub will go trying to connect to another display as well as your MIDI keyboard and a mouse, your success will depend on the quality of the hub and ensuring that it's also got its own power source.
A better option may be to also get a hub that connects to your Thunderbolt port that connects the display and also provides an additional USB port for example.
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Best Answer
Every device you plug into a USB port has a power requirement.
Some are quite small in the milliamp range and some can be quite large, up to 5A of current. The more devices, the more draw.
When you have monitors hooked up via USB, it's your CPU that is actually driving the display as there is no separate video adapter. Higher CPU cycles, more power draw. As your CPU works harder, fans have to kick on - another device, more draw.
So, in short, yes, your monitors are causing the more rapid drain on your battery.