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The differences between SST and MST Modes

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Author : PURPLELEC
Update time : 2024-10-17 10:45:58
  Both Windows laptops and MacBooks are extraordinarily versatile productivity devices. However, they can differ in how they work with external monitor displays. If you use a convenient, portable mobile docking station with your laptop, it helps to understand the differences between the DisplayPort modes known as SST and MST, and how these modes present different display capabilities for Windows and macOS systems.
  What is SST (Single Stream Transport mode)?
  Single Stream Transport mode is based on the original DisplayPort 1.0 technology introduced in 2006. SST mode allows only one external downstream device at a time through a single downstream port. However, SST can allow the second screen to be “mirrored” to other monitors. (In Mirror mode, the display is duplicated so that you see the same picture on all external monitors.)
mobile docking station
  What is MST (Multi-Stream Transport mode)?
  Multi-Stream Transport was introduced in 2010 as part of the DisplayPort 1.2 standard. Any device with DisplayPort 1.2 or higher now includes MST mode capability, which allows you to stream independent video displays from a single laptop host. Extremely useful for presentations and other display applications, MST can carry a signal for two or more monitors on a single cable, allowing for daisy chaining or hub configurations of multiple 4K monitors.
mobile docking station
  MST vs. SST (aka Windows laptop vs. Apple laptop)
  Because of their different operating systems and different chip architectures, Windows laptops and MacBooks handle multiple displays differently. This requires careful consideration of the right laptop docking station to achieve the desired productivity when connecting to multiple monitors.
  If you have a Windows laptop
  Windows laptops universally support MST mode. Therefore, using a Purplelec USB-C MST mobile dock with your Windows laptop lets you display two external monitors in Extended mode. (In Extended mode, the external display is treated as a separate screen so that you can have different windows open on the laptop screen and connected monitors, thereby extending your workspace or opening up crea-tive possibilities for presentations.) The displays can also have different landscape or portrait perspectives.
docking station
  If you have a MacBook
  Any laptop running macOS currently supports SST mode only when connected to a USB-C dock. When you use your MacBook with a USB-C MST mobile dock, you can only display dual screens in Mirror mode, with the two displays sharing the same landscape or portrait perspective.
docking station
  Clever solutions from Purplelec for MacBook users
  As you’ve seen, macOS laptops currently do not support MST mode with a USB-C MST mobile dock. Due to this compatibility issue, Apple users who need multiple monitors to streamline workflows and complete their tasks have struggled to find a solution. However, there are other ways to set up two monitors for your macOS laptop depending on your base chipset.
  If you need multiple monitor support for your Apple M2 MacBook Air that only supports a single display (or if you have the original M1 MacBook), Purplelec has you covered with our range of industry-leading DisplayLink docking stations for two monitor displays in Extended mode.
  Additionally, for M-series Pro, Max, or Ultra-powered MacBooks, Purplelec has several Thunderbolt solutions that allow the use of multiple displays in Extended mode.