[dagmx]

Apple does support multiple displays when the hardware supports it. The base M series processors only have two display controllers in their architecture so can only support two displays via hardware. They support more on the higher end SKUs with more display controllers.

This is also a difference from the A series which only have a single display controller, so can only drive a single display.

Anything higher than the hardware limit is done in software, like screen mirroring or any of the macOS workarounds to get more displays.

[fragmede]

> any of the macOS workarounds to get more displays.

Are you referring to that Sidecar or similar software which lets you use an ipad as a second display, or are there different workarounds you're thinking of?

[dagmx]

You can use DisplayLink to drive external displays.

https://www.macworld.com/article/675869/how-to-connect-two-o...

With some docks and adapters like https://www.sonnettech.com/product/m1-mac-dual-displayport-a...

They’re not completely successful from what I hear, but I know it works for some folks.

I have an M1 Max so I haven’t tried myself.

[als0]

DisplayLink in my experience has horrible performance. Not a good experience and I think that's why Apple avoided it.