During the WWDC 2022 keynote speech on June 6, Apple solemnly released the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with M2 chips. However, while being shocked by the hardware performance, Apple also deliberately downplayed a shortcoming of the M2 MBA/MBP model – the new device still only supports one external display.
Apple wrote in the official technical document: The new 13-inch MacBook Air / MacBook Pro can only drive the notebook’s own display + a 6K @ 60Hz external display. Although it is officially claimed that both laptops are equipped with native resolution display panels with 1 billion colors, and both provide Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C (DisplayPort) digital video output options.
Even with the optional VGA / HDMI / DVI / Thunderbolt 2 adapter, the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air / M2 MacBook Pro can only drive one external monitor. For comparison, a Mac Studio workstation can connect up to four Pro Display XDR monitors via USB-C, plus one 4K monitor via HDMI (5 in total).
As for whether it is a hardware downgrade or a pure software performance (experience) limitation, it remains to be further confirmed by Apple.