The MacBook Air M1 is one of the best-value laptops on the market. Many laptops, smartphones, and other devices can offer stunning display refresh rates that make games, software, and more appear extremely smooth.
However, the question is, can the MacBook Air M1 run at 144 Hz? In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about how to get 144 Hz on the MacBook Air M1.
I like the MacBook Air M1 so much, it’s one of the best-value laptops to date. I added it to my list of recommended products.
Can MacBook Air M1 Run 144Hz?
Yes. The Macbook Air M1 can run external monitors with a refresh rate of 144Hz and even 240Hz at 1440P. For the best results, it’s recommended to use a Thunderbolt 4 to DisplayPort cable. So you can use your gaming monitor with your MacBook Air M1.
However, while you can use a 144Hz monitor with a MacBook Air M1, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to reach 144 FPS in games. It’s mostly for people who prefer the smooth and responsive feel of 144Hz.
By the way, you might want to check out these external monitors for your MacBook Air.
Connecting a MacBook Air M1 to a 144 Hz
The MacBook Air M1 can be connected to external monitors that support this higher refresh rate. This not only allows you to get a higher refresh rate when using your device, but it also allows you to multitask more effectively by extending your screen to a larger display.
How to Connect a 144Hz Monitor to MacBook Air M1:
- Buy a Thunderbolt to DisplayPort cable. Make sure it supports the features of your monitor.
- Connect one end to your monitor and the other end to an available Thunderbolt port on your MacBook.
- Your MacBook should automatically detect your monitor.
- From there, it’s time to set the refresh rate and resolution.
Note:
You can also reach 144Hz using a Thunderbolt to HDMI cable or dongle, but they’re not very reliable. I recommend using a Thunderbolt to DisplayPort adapter because the performance is better.
Configuring the Refresh Rate
You may need to configure the refresh rate for your MacBook Air M1 in your system settings.
Here’s how you can change the refresh rate:
- Click the Apple icon on the menu bar.
- Go into System Preferences
- Click Displays
- You’ll need to hold down the Option key on your keyboard.
- After you do this, a pop-up will appear. Click Scaled.
- The list of supported refresh rates will appear in a drop-down menu. Select 144Hz.
And that’s how you can use a 144Hz monitor with a MacBook Air M1.
Gaming at 144Hz on a MacBook Air M1
Obviously, the MacBook Air M1 is not a gaming machine since it doesn’t have a dedicated graphics card. Most people buy 144Hz monitors because it allows you to see more frames a second, which can give you a competitive edge in games. The problem is very few games can reach 144 FPS on the MacBook Air M1.
There are some games you might be able to reach 100 FPS or so. But if you will need to turn the graphics settings all the way down. These are mostly older games like CSGO, League of Legends, and less-demanding titles.
Bear in mind you will need to drop the resolution to 1080P or lower to get close to the 100 FPS mark. And yes you can use Steam on a MacBook Air M1.
Gaming on the MacBook Air M1 is a bit hit or miss because some titles are not optimized for it all. However, there are some that run very well such as World of Warcraft.
While you won’t get the gamer’s advantage, using a 144Hz refresh rate makes tasks like browsing the internet feel much more responsive.
What is MacBook Air M1’s Native Refresh Rate?
The MacBook Air M1’s internal display has a refresh rate of 60Hz like most Apple products.
Can the MacBook Air M1 Support 4K at 60 Hz?
Yes. MacBook Air M1 can support 4K at 60Hz when connected to an external display over a Thunderbolt to DisplayPort cable. The MacBook Air M1 can also run two 4K monitors in landscape mode at the same time.
Can MacBook Air M1 Support 240Hz?
Yes. You will need to use a Thunderbolt to DisplayPort cable and lower the resolution to 1080P.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have your MacBook Air M1 running on an external display at 144 Hz. Thank you for reading!
If you found this tutorial helpful, please leave a comment down below.
