[SamuelAdams]

Sure, so I primarily use Macbook Pro's that companies provide me. I work from home and use USB-C docks to connect the Macs to external displays, keyboards, and networking.

In general, Windows 10 computers work on boot in clamshell mode. Drivers load, external USB devices are useful, displays work.

On Apple devices, corporations *must* enable FileVault, a full disk encryption utility, to meet some compliance standards. The problem is that Apple really locked this down, even to USB-C docks. My docks use the Display Link driver to load the screens, so as a result I need to physically open the laptop every day, use the laptop keyboard to enter my password, wait for the login process to complete, then close the laptop and connect the dock.

It would be very nice if they could allow some drivers to be whitelisted, or even make an "official" apple dock with full FileVault support.

I suppose I could use a Mac Studio or Mini, but corporations seem dead set on providing laptops to employees.

Other than that I would say Windows generally handles scaling better, but this is an area that the latest OS (Ventura) really improved. Macs today are much better at scaling and switching displays than in the past.

[zamnos]

Thanks for responding. Even if you don't deal with PII datasets, I sure hope your windows laptop is also encrypted at rest.

Just fyi, at least on my M1 MacBook, a regular, non-Displaylink (ie HDMI or Display Port connection) doesny require opening the laptop to login, even using an Bluetooth keyboard. I'm sure there's a usb-c hub that's your preferred form factor if you don't like the dongle-style breakout boxes.

[SamuelAdams]

Windows computers use BitLocker and somehow the very same dock works fine in clamshell mode.

[somehnguy]

I have 2 MacBook Pros, both with FileVault enabled, one managed by my employer and the other personal. My USB-C dock also uses DisplayLink and I primarily use the machines in clamshell mode.

I don't have the issue you're referring to unless I completely shut off either machine, which I almost never do. Do you completely power off your machine at the end of each day? When the machine is just locked my external displays power up and display the login screen just fine.