Dongle thread for the new Macbook Pro's

[hj576]

No, not at all. I think MacBook Pro buyers today should buy the "old" Retina model, and they will be very disappointed using a MacBook which offers nothing but USB Type-C connectivity.

"Nothing but a usb type c connectivity"
benchmarks show
Better CPU than 2015 baseline
Better GPU than 2015 Baseline
Better Screen than 2015 Baseline
Better Speakers than 2015 baseline
Better SSD than 2015 baseline
Actually better Battery Performance (at least on web surfing test) than 2015 Baseline

And both costs the same (If you buy the 2015 baseline with 256 GB SSD, the standard for the 2016 Model).
So No, its offering a lot more

Though yes, 2015 baseline has better ports, and if one can find it refurbed (unluckily for me, apple does not do Refurbed Macbook's in Netherlands), 2015 is a very solid option. Brand New, depends, what is more important to you. If ports are essential and you cannot live with hubs, go for 2015, else 2016 offer better value

 

[ANDJOE]

"Nothing but a usb type c connectivity"
benchmarks show
Better CPU than 2015 baseline
Better GPU than 2015 Baseline
Better Screen than 2015 Baseline
Better Speakers than 2015 baseline
Better SSD than 2015 baseline
Actually better Battery Performance (at least on web surfing test) than 2015 Baseline

And both costs the same (If you buy the 2015 baseline with 256 GB SSD, the standard for the 2016 Model).
So No, its offering a lot more

Though yes, 2015 baseline has better ports, and if one can find it refurbed (unluckily for me, apple does not do Refurbed Macbook's in Netherlands), 2015 is a very solid option. Brand New, depends, what is more important to you. If ports are essential and you cannot live with hubs, go for 2015, else 2016 offer better value

I would never buy an older Mac, they don't even have USB-C.

 

[therealseebs]

I would never buy an older Mac, they don't even have USB-C.

Honestly, if one of the options this year had been the same CPU/GPU/etc of the new macs, but with the port layout of the 2015 macs, I'd have gotten that. It would work better for me for the next two or three years. Right now, I have no USB-C devices except stuff I've gotten for the new mac...

 

[Alameda]

"Nothing but a usb type c connectivity"
benchmarks show
Better CPU than 2015 baseline
Better GPU than 2015 Baseline
Better Screen than 2015 Baseline
Better Speakers than 2015 baseline
Better SSD than 2015 baseline
Actually better Battery Performance (at least on web surfing test) than 2015 Baseline

Sorry, I should have said, "Offers no connectivity but USB-C." I figured it's faster, has a bigger screen, etc.

I spent a few years with MacBook Air and I loved it, except connectivity with the dongles was a pain for me. The Thunderbolt is a plus: I bought a Belkin dock which worked perfectly and it kept working when I upgraded to the MacBook Pro.

But think about when you need to give someone a file with a USB stick -- it becomes a big pain to do a simple thing. And I often carry just my MacBook Pro, no case, because its fantastic battery life lets me.

 

[groundcontrol]

Sorry if this link is a repost. I just ordered one of these (the luxury option, which includes a USB-C adapter/"hub" for a few $$ more):

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/436147229/snapnator-your-macbook-snap-feature-is-back?ref=email

Doesn't ship until January 2017, just fyi.

 

[sgript]

i the same but waiting for my mbp

did external hard drive work with this? like seagate portable?

I can't say for sure, but I do have a Seagate external drive somewhere I think, so I can test it out. Only problem is I need to wait really for my MBP to arrive too, as I don't have any other device to test it on.

I see no reason why it should not though.

 

[scott_donald]

i am thinking of going 2 x LG 27ud88 on a Macbook Pro 15 inch... is there a dongle that charges the laptop and allows the two monitors to be attached with USB C at 4k 60Hz???

 

[Jonesmak]

i am thinking of going 2 x LG 27ud88 on a Macbook Pro 15 inch... is there a dongle that charges the laptop and allows the two monitors to be attached with USB C at 4k 60Hz???

I believe the new OWC TB3 dock does, although I was a little confused on their explanation. It sounded like one monitor has to be through tb3 and the other monitor has to be through mini display port.

 

[scott_donald]

I believe the new OWC TB3 dock does, although I was a little confused on their explanation. It sounded like one monitor has to be through tb3 and the other monitor has to be through mini display port.

yes not been hearing good things about it either... it seems to be the 87w power is the stumbling block for most...

 

[GoodOne]

PrimeCables just arrived! Seems pretty good. Now waiting on the MBP to ship.

This Looks great. Unfortunately it's not available outside of Canada, not even via Amazon.

Mhm, this one Looks very similiar

https://www.amazon.de/ProLink-Adapt...6&sr=8-5&keywords=usb-c+adapter+ethernet+hdmi

 

[Cougarcat]

i am thinking of going 2 x LG 27ud88 on a Macbook Pro 15 inch... is there a dongle that charges the laptop and allows the two monitors to be attached with USB C at 4k 60Hz???

Plugable, OWC, and Belkin's should all be able to do this.

But as mentioned above, there's some confusion as to the connection required. TB2 had a limitation in which one display had to be thunderbolt. At the very least you'll need a DisplayPort to USB C cable for the second connection.

I think this limitation is removed in TB3 because Startech makes a dual displayport TB3 adaptor (no power, unfortunately.)

Of course none of this would matter if OS X supported DisplayPort daisychaining...

 

[Macalway]

I think (maybe) the next round of docks and hubs may be better. It got off to a rocky start.

Frankly, I don't want to have to rely on OWC, Plugable, Startech, etc.

Some real misses there

 

[hj576]

So
After A lot of thinking
I am going with the Aukey USB C to USB type A and HDMI Hub
https://www.amazon.de/Anschluss-Auf...qid=1478279245&sr=8-2&keywords=Aukey+USB+C+4K

And a Transcend USB 3.0 SD Card Reader
https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-mi...278552&sr=1-2&keywords=USB+3.0+SD+Card+reader

I know its not the most ideal solution but
1) Its cheaper than something like an All in one Hub that offers all these solutions like Hootoo Shuttle
2) There is no USB-C Power Pass through, which on these cheap devices kinda scares me, I will have 2 ports on myh Macbook Pro, So I can charge with one, and connect the Aukey USB-C Hub on the other

I know I might not be able to power too many external devices with the Aukey simultaneously, but my use is usually a USB mouse (when video editing) and occasionally the SD card reader (to transfer videos) and External HDD to back up data. This set up should get the job done, hopefully. And it costs me under 35 EURO

 

[Brookzy]

i am thinking of going 2 x LG 27ud88 on a Macbook Pro 15 inch... is there a dongle that charges the laptop and allows the two monitors to be attached with USB C at 4k 60Hz???

The dock that Belkin announced seems to be the only one that will do that satisfactorily with enough charging power.

 

[zym1010]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FJPDWCI

this hub seems to have everything most people need, although a bit bulky.

 

[scott_donald]

The dock that Belkin announced seems to be the only one that will do that satisfactorily with enough charging power.

cant find it - which one is that???

found it http://www.belkin.com/uk/p/P-F4U095/

now with that can the two monitors just go into the 2 usb c ports???

 

[Brookzy]

cant find it - which one is that???

found it http://www.belkin.com/uk/p/P-F4U095/

now with that can the two monitors just go into the 2 usb c ports???

Yep! Would be pricey but perfect.

 

[NAYo2002]

cant find it - which one is that???

found it http://www.belkin.com/uk/p/P-F4U095/

now with that can the two monitors just go into the 2 usb c ports???

Someone said one of the 2 USB C ports are used for connecting to the MacBook.

 

[Brookzy]

Someone said one of the 2 USB C ports are used for connecting to the MacBook.

Damn, you're right. Would need to connect the monitor with DisplayPort.

 

[Pootmatoot]

The Dell XPS 15 forums are a good place to find information of very high wattage docks and charging options... they've been hunting for a USB charging option forever (I don't think they've found one yet, although the 15" Mackbook Pro needs 85ishW so might be easier, the Dell 120W because of its vastly greater graphical grunt).

 

[Capt T]

Sorry, I should have said, "Offers no connectivity but USB-C." I figured it's faster, has a bigger screen, etc.

I spent a few years with MacBook Air and I loved it, except connectivity with the dongles was a pain for me. The Thunderbolt is a plus: I bought a Belkin dock which worked perfectly and it kept working when I upgraded to the MacBook Pro.

But think about when you need to give someone a file with a USB stick -- it becomes a big pain to do a simple thing. And I often carry just my MacBook Pro, no case, because its fantastic battery life lets me.

No problem. I picked up a couple of these (just like I have the ones that work with the iPad).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010HWCEHM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Alameda]

No problem. I picked up a couple of these (just like I have the ones that work with the iPad).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010HWCEHM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I get that it's possible; it's just very inconvenient. I think that adding Type-C is great; and in a few years it will replace everything, but doing that this year is just a great big expensive inconvenient pain.

 

[NAYo2002]

Apple just dropped the prices!!!

 

[Baldrake]

Apple just dropped the prices!!!

Yes grrr, I wonder if they will be giving refunds ....

 

[NAYo2002]

Yes grrr, I wonder if they will be giving refunds ....

Yes!