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      macOS 14.6 Enables Double Display Support for 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro

   Adam Engst

   Apple has released what are likely the final X.Y releases of the macOS
   14/iOS 17 generation of operating systems. Only macOS receives any
   feature changes that Apple documents in release notes; the rest merely
   admit to 'important bug fixes and security updates.' The company also
   updated older versions of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS to address numerous
   security vulnerabilities. Our general advice is that these updates are
   all worth installing soon, but you can wait until it's convenient since
   none of the vulnerabilities are being exploited in the wild.

   The people for whom [1]macOS 14.6 Sonoma may be most exciting are
   owners of the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro because the update adds support
   for using up to two external displays when the laptop lid is closed.
   Previously, the M3 model of the 14-inch MacBook Pro was limited to its
   built-in display and one external display'Apple hasn't yet updated its
   [2]tech specs page. (The M3 Pro models of the 14-inch MacBook Pro
   support two external displays without closing the lid, and the M3 Max
   models support up to four external displays.)

   However, the [3]M3 MacBook Air introduced the enhanced capability of
   supporting two external displays when the lid is closed. Since the M3
   chip is the same across all Macs that use it, it makes sense that Apple
   was able to bring the MacBook Air's double-display feature to the
   14-inch M3 MacBook Pro as well.

   The other group that will undoubtedly be interested in the remaining
   changes in macOS 14.6 are enterprise admins. [4]These changes include:
     * The login keychain is correctly created the first time a mobile
       user logs in.
     * Enforcing a specific software update version no longer fails if
       it's not the most recent available update.
     * The FileVault recovery key is no longer shown after updating when
       configured by MDM to not show the key.
     * Users can successfully be added to the access list for Remote
       Management in System Settings.
     * The allowAssistant restriction correctly prevents the Siri app from
       being opened.

Security Updates

   Apart from those changes in macOS 14.6, Apple offers no details about
   any bug fixes. For security updates, however, the company has provided
   its usual lists. No zero-day exploits are included, so while you should
   install these updates, you can do so when it's convenient.
     * macOS 14.6 Sonoma: [5]54 vulnerabilities fixed
     * macOS 13.6.8 Ventura: [6]36 vulnerabilities fixed
     * macOS 12.7.6 Monterey: [7]32 vulnerabilities fixed
     * iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6: [8]30 vulnerabilities fixed
     * iOS 16.7.9 and iPadOS 16.7.9: [9]20 vulnerabilities fixed
     * iOS 15.8.3 and iPadOS 15.8.3: No fixes with CVE entries
     * watchOS 10.6: [10]24 vulnerabilities fixed
     * tv0S 17.6: [11]16 vulnerabilities fixed
     * visionOS 1.3: [12]15 vulnerabilities fixed

References

   Visible links
   1. https://support.apple.com/109035
   2. https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/
   3. https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/specs/
   4. https://support.apple.com/109030
   5. https://support.apple.com/HT214119
   6. https://support.apple.com/HT214120
   7. https://support.apple.com/HT214118
   8. https://support.apple.com/HT214117
   9. https://support.apple.com/HT214116
  10. https://support.apple.com/HT214124
  11. https://support.apple.com/HT214122
  12. https://support.apple.com/HT214123

   Hidden links:
  13. https://tidbits.com/wp/../uploads/2024/07/14-inch-M3-MacBook-Pro.png
  14. https://tidbits.com/wp/../uploads/2024/07/13-inch-M3-MacBook-Air.png

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