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timelessbeing

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 15, 2009
450
131
I'm upgrading from a 2014 MBP to a 2019 MBP, so I'm about to go through the trial of dongle agony.

These are the things I need to connect:

  • Dell U2711 monitor via DisplayPort (currently using a miniDP to DP adapter). The monitor is also acting as a digital -> analog audio output device to connect my speakers.
  • Bluetooth BLE KB + mouse
  • USB 3.0 hub
  • USB 3.0 external HD
  • Plethora of USB 2.0 devices (camera, serial interfaces, HD etc.)
  • iPhone 6s
  • An expensive Audiotechnica studio headset that I plug into the headphone port.
  • A stack of SD and microSD cards (using the built-in slot)
  • Once in a while I connect it to a TV via HDMI (not critical)
I know Apple have various expensive single port dongles. There's also a variety of aftermarket stuff, including all-in-one devices. Please tell me about the gizmos you use and what you think of them.

Also is it worth it to get one of those magnetic USB-C adapters for power? I'm not particularly clutzy so I don't find my charger gets yanked on very much.

Are the four TB ports enough, or do I need a hub for that too?

Thanks!
 
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Thankfully, I learned that they kept headphone port on the 2019 MBPs. So that takes care of the headphones.

Then I came across this. Looks like it takes care of all my devices. Kind pricey though. And I'm not too familiar with the company


GUD3C05_0.jpg
 
And I'm not too familiar with the company
iogear has been around quite a while. I've had a few of their devices over the years but never made significant use of them (partially because one didn't work as expected, so not a ringing endorsement).

I have an Anker (I use a LOT of their products) slim hub. It has two USB-C ports (including one pass-through for charging), two USB-A, an SD card slot, a microSD card slot and an HDMI port. It's worked for the tasks I've thrown at it, but I haven't used the video port. Also, for the USB devices look into getting new cables. I grabbed an Amazon USB-C to Micro-USB 3.0 for my external HDD for TM. If the cable is removable it will allow you plug in more devices if you replace the cables with new ones compatible with the ports on the computer.

Here's the Anker hub I bought - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YZ48HCT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's the cable (so you can understand what I'm explaining there) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GGKYIHS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
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"Also, why doesn't apple give you an A/C extension in the box any more?"

They do that so you will have to buy one separately and spend more money.
(that was easy!)
 
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Why would Apple pass up the opportunity to collect another $19.90 in profit from its customers and include that?

They are already making more money. These computers are more expensive than ever! Apple just recorded record profits again.
 
They are already making more money. These computers are more expensive than ever! Apple just recorded record profits again.
Sure, but they can make even more by making customers pay for the power cord extension too, just like they're doing with chargers and earphones on the new iPhones.
 
read the description
Specifications:
- Input(from video source): DisplayPort Male
- Output(to monitor): HDMI Male

These cables are NOT bi-directional.
True HDMI > DP cables are expensive because they require an additional USB cable (or other supply) to power the conversion.

it also means that hubs supporting DP are minimum $100
 
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Thankfully, I learned that they kept headphone port on the 2019 MBPs. So that takes care of the headphones.

Then I came across this. Looks like it takes care of all my devices. Kind pricey though. And I'm not too familiar with the company


GUD3C05_0.jpg
And Apple just used the old commercial with the PC guy : I still love it!
Don't they remember that few of those ads where about teasing PCs using dongles?!🙄
 
I'm upgrading from a 2014 MBP to a 2019 MBP, so I'm about to go through the trial of dongle agony.

These are the things I need to connect:

  • Dell U2711 monitor via DisplayPort (currently using a miniDP to DP adapter). The monitor is also acting as a digital -> analog audio output device to connect my speakers.
  • Bluetooth BLE KB + mouse
  • USB 3.0 hub
  • USB 3.0 external HD
  • Plethora of USB 2.0 devices (camera, serial interfaces, HD etc.)
  • iPhone 6s
  • An expensive Audiotechnica studio headset that I plug into the headphone port.
  • A stack of SD and microSD cards (using the built-in slot)
  • Once in a while I connect it to a TV via HDMI (not critical)
I know Apple have various expensive single port dongles. There's also a variety of aftermarket stuff, including all-in-one devices. Please tell me about the gizmos you use and what you think of them.

Also is it worth it to get one of those magnetic USB-C adapters for power? I'm not particularly clutzy so I don't find my charger gets yanked on very much.

Are the four TB ports enough, or do I need a hub for that too?

Thanks!
Nice another fellow Dell U2711 user! Still loving this monitor and running it as one of my 3 monitors on my 16" 6 core MacBook Pro and it works fine. I'm using an HDMI to USB Type C cable and Amazon basic model.
 
that's weird! And are you getting audio through HDMI too?

Can you please link here the cable you're using?
 
I have a couple other questions if you please ...

  1. Did you have to edit files, set custom resolutions, or any other such jiggery to make it work? Just play and play?
  2. The U2711 had an issue with some cables where if it was connected to a computer that was a asleep, the monitor would not wake up with the computer and you physically had to unplug the power from it. Any such issues?
Thanks!
 
that's weird! And are you getting audio through HDMI too?

Can you please link here the cable you're using?
It wasn't the amazon basics after looking at the cable again as I thought. I actually have two of these and works great.


I didn't have to edit any files just plug and play. I typically don't put my computer to sleep while plugged in just locked but I have done it a couple of times in the past and didn't have any issues.
 
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well that's a fail. The Macbook will not allow me to use the native 2560 x 1440 resolution of the Dell U2711 with an HDMI cable. (And yes I tried holding the option key.)

Weird huh? we have the computer, monitor and cable

Back to looking for a DisplayPort dongle.
 

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They are already making more money. These computers are more expensive than ever! Apple just recorded record profits again.
Not really:

Late 2013 MBP 13"
2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 Dual-Core Haswell
1TB PCIe-Based Flash Storage
16GB of Onboard 1600MHz DDR3L RAM
Price Paid 12/15/2013: $2,699.00

2020 MBP 13"
2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
1TB SSD storage
32 GB 3733 MHz LPDDR4X
Price Paid 9/16/2020: $2,734.84
 
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Yes really. You used to be able to get a 15" macbook pro for $2000. Now you're paying at least $3200.
 
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