Dongle thread for the new Macbook Pro's

[shareef777]

Received my Satechi hub from Amazon today. Thus far, it is working as advertised. I have my WD My Passport For Mac 3TB drive connected to one of the USB ports and it is moving right along with the first Time Machine backup.. I have the Ethernet port engaged and the Mac is staying charged thanks to the USB-C passthrough port (Late 2016 MBP non touch bar). I like this hub better than the ones that slide right against the side of your Mac. This way, I shouldn't have to worry about my Mac getting damaged from a push-in-hub.

I was going to get this one as well, but at $80 I might as well get the OWC solution which includes a 60W charger.

 

[phloo]

It wont charge a 15" macbook pro cause it only supports 45w.
Wait for new hubs and docks coming out soon. get some cheap adapters until then.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I was going to get this one as well, but at $80 I might as well get the OWC solution which includes a 60W charger.

I may get the OWC one as well at a later date. It was hard to hit the purchase button right now, given that it is $150.00.

 

[Hyloba]

Question for you dongleguys over here. I have a 2560x1440 monitor I would like to connect to my future MBP. I prefer using HDMI so I would only have to buy one dongle for monitor and tv. But what would the difference be between a HDMI and a displayport dongle?

 

[phloo]

HDMi supports 30Hz vs Displayport 60Hz.
Higher resolutions should be smoother with DP.

 

[Hyloba]

HDMi supports 30Hz vs Displayport 60Hz.
Higher resolutions should be smoother with DP.

Are you sure HDMI only supports 30hz? I thought it went up to 60?

 

[phloo]

HDMI 2.0 supports higher Hz numbers. But most of the device use HDMI 1.3/1.4

 

[shareef777]

I may get the OWC one as well at a later date. It was hard to hit the purchase button right now, given that it is $150.00.

I'm reading that the USB-A ports will downgrade to 2.0 speeds when driving a 4K display due to the limited USB-C gen 1 used (gen 2 is needed to drive a 4K display and 3.0 USB-A ports).

With that said I've committed to going with the LG 5K display. I really don't want to start off this TB3/USB-C journey with compromises and failures.

 

[thesaint024]

I've read all 25 pages of this thread. It sounds like a fugly situation. I just want to summarize what I've read as they pertain to my needs. Please call out False if I've interpreted incorrectly.

Needs:
MBP 13 (60w) on way.
Dell monitor with DP/mDP connection.
USB A devices, i.e. keyboard, mouse, usb a headset, various usb 3.0 data storage
Most desirable option for me is a desktop dock with single plug convenience (incl power supply). But I really only need DP/mDP, usb 3.0, power delivery.

Options:
1) Belkin TB3 dock - TBD availability and $430!
2) Plugable TB3 dock - Q1 2017 and $120ish
3) Caldigit usb c dock - available now and $150
4) other usb c docks from Kensington, Dell, others?
5) usb c to mDP dongle + usb c to usb 3.0 dongle with PD like Aukey or iClever + Apple (or Google) power supply
6) mini usb c hub like Cable Creations (very out of stock) + Apple (or Google) power supply

Does this sum it up correctly? I'm leaning towards option 5 (or 6 if ever in stock), just to hold down the fort until option 2 is ready. TB3 is preferred to maintain bandwidth. I have tried a Dell XPS with my monitor and the usb c docks were a little flaky with lost connections. I have paid $200+ for a dock, but $430 for Belkin's is kind of stupid. Thoughts?

 

[scotty588]

That's nice. Do you have an external monitor to try out the HDMI port? Does it do 2560x1440 @ 60 Hz?

It doesn't. I wanted to pull the trigger on this hub but the power and 30 hz is what is holding back.

 

[zeeyo987]

So I have the 2016 MacBook Pro 15 and got the hootoo dongle with power passthrough. Its a great dongle and works really nicely and the space gray is close to the color of the MacBook itself. As far as power passthrough, I know its only 29w but it works perfectly. I have monitored the battery percentage and it still has been showing 100% since yesterday and I have been using the computer this whole time with a second display and even a virtual machine going. I can't comment any further about whether or not this is good or bad for the computer but it works great and I don't really see any problems at all.

 

[Capt T]

Anyone that has their new mbp tried this adaptor yet? Suppose to do 4k@60hz

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016QO818...lid=1ZWLDGVJ87FW7&coliid=I1MYHTPABON48H&psc=1

 

[Kafou33]

Hi, I'm waiting for my new mbp 13" 16/512 and I already have the USB-C to USB dongle. It's unclear for me if I need a HDMI dongle. I use a lot airplay with an iPad to connect on a TV with a Apple TV. So what is the benefit to use a cable instead of airplay?

Thanks

 

[nulambhbk]

Not quite a dongle, but does anybody know if there are any USB-C cables other than Apple's that can fully power the 15" rMBP from the 87W brick that comes with it?

 

[carestudio]

I've read all 25 pages of this thread. It sounds like a fugly situation. I just want to summarize what I've read as they pertain to my needs. Please call out False if I've interpreted incorrectly.

Needs:
MBP 13 (60w) on way.
Dell monitor with DP/mDP connection.
USB A devices, i.e. keyboard, mouse, usb a headset, various usb 3.0 data storage
Most desirable option for me is a desktop dock with single plug convenience (incl power supply). But I really only need DP/mDP, usb 3.0, power delivery.

Options:
1) Belkin TB3 dock - TBD availability and $430!
2) Plugable TB3 dock - Q1 2017 and $120ish
3) Caldigit usb c dock - available now and $150
4) other usb c docks from Kensington, Dell, others?
5) usb c to mDP dongle + usb c to usb 3.0 dongle with PD like Aukey or iClever + Apple (or Google) power supply
6) mini usb c hub like Cable Creations (very out of stock) + Apple (or Google) power supply

Does this sum it up correctly? I'm leaning towards option 5 (or 6 if ever in stock), just to hold down the fort until option 2 is ready. TB3 is preferred to maintain bandwidth. I have tried a Dell XPS with my monitor and the usb c docks were a little flaky with lost connections. I have paid $200+ for a dock, but $430 for Belkin's is kind of stupid. Thoughts?

yes, you pretty must listed down all the options.
Since you want to use multiple USB 3.0 data storage and Apple keyboard mouse, plus DP, your only inexpensive option is CalDigit USB C dock. I am sure that it is working very well for MBP 13, and that is the only option available NOW. No thunderbolt 3 dock or dongle is available for MBP at this moment. Some one already posted the review of MBP 13 and USBC dock here
http://crazydiamondstar.blogspot.com/2016/08/usb-c-dock-best-baymax-for-macbook.html

I am using it too because it does support Apple SuperDrive.

 

[thesaint024]

yes, you pretty must listed down all the options.
Since you want to use multiple USB 3.0 data storage and Apple keyboard mouse, plus DP, your only inexpensive option is CalDigit USB C dock. I am sure that it is working very well for MBP 13, and that is the only option available NOW. No thunderbolt 3 dock or dongle is available for MBP at this moment. Some one already posted the review of MBP 13 and USBC dock here
http://crazydiamondstar.blogspot.com/2016/08/usb-c-dock-best-baymax-for-macbook.html

I am using it too because it does support Apple SuperDrive.

Thanks man, for validating my assessment, and for the link.

 

[phloo]

I've read all 25 pages of this thread. It sounds like a fugly situation. I just want to summarize what I've read as they pertain to my needs. Please call out False if I've interpreted incorrectly.

Needs:
MBP 13 (60w) on way.
Dell monitor with DP/mDP connection.
USB A devices, i.e. keyboard, mouse, usb a headset, various usb 3.0 data storage
Most desirable option for me is a desktop dock with single plug convenience (incl power supply). But I really only need DP/mDP, usb 3.0, power delivery.

Options:
1) Belkin TB3 dock - TBD availability and $430!
2) Plugable TB3 dock - Q1 2017 and $120ish
3) Caldigit usb c dock - available now and $150
4) other usb c docks from Kensington, Dell, others?
5) usb c to mDP dongle + usb c to usb 3.0 dongle with PD like Aukey or iClever + Apple (or Google) power supply
6) mini usb c hub like Cable Creations (very out of stock) + Apple (or Google) power supply

Does this sum it up correctly? I'm leaning towards option 5 (or 6 if ever in stock), just to hold down the fort until option 2 is ready. TB3 is preferred to maintain bandwidth. I have tried a Dell XPS with my monitor and the usb c docks were a little flaky with lost connections. I have paid $200+ for a dock, but $430 for Belkin's is kind of stupid. Thoughts?

7) USB-C to Displayport + USB-C to USB-A adapter.
Your DELL monitor has 4 USB ports, right? You can have all plugged in for $20-30

 

[jlaumans]

The whole external monitor thing is quite confusing, knowing whether you should go for (mini)DisplayPort or HDMI...

Has anyone tested a USB-C to DisplayPort cable yet? Most of them seem to be quite expensive... $30-50

 

[phloo]

Displayport supports 60Hz, HDMI in most machines/monitors only 30Hz.
So depends on your personal choice.

my adapter costs 20 Euros. Displayport cable 3.-
Anything below might not be of good quality. Prices will become cheaper within some months I guess.

 

[Keleko]

I've read all 25 pages of this thread. It sounds like a fugly situation. I just want to summarize what I've read as they pertain to my needs. Please call out False if I've interpreted incorrectly.

Needs:
MBP 13 (60w) on way.
Dell monitor with DP/mDP connection.
USB A devices, i.e. keyboard, mouse, usb a headset, various usb 3.0 data storage
Most desirable option for me is a desktop dock with single plug convenience (incl power supply). But I really only need DP/mDP, usb 3.0, power delivery.

Options:
1) Belkin TB3 dock - TBD availability and $430!
2) Plugable TB3 dock - Q1 2017 and $120ish
3) Caldigit usb c dock - available now and $150
4) other usb c docks from Kensington, Dell, others?
5) usb c to mDP dongle + usb c to usb 3.0 dongle with PD like Aukey or iClever + Apple (or Google) power supply
6) mini usb c hub like Cable Creations (very out of stock) + Apple (or Google) power supply

Does this sum it up correctly? I'm leaning towards option 5 (or 6 if ever in stock), just to hold down the fort until option 2 is ready. TB3 is preferred to maintain bandwidth. I have tried a Dell XPS with my monitor and the usb c docks were a little flaky with lost connections. I have paid $200+ for a dock, but $430 for Belkin's is kind of stupid. Thoughts?

Does your Dell monitor have a USB 3.0 hub built in? I have a U2415 that has the hub, which saves me from needing another USB 3.0 hub. I just need the Apple USB-C - USB 3.0 female cable to plug it into my hub. My setup is going to look just like your option 5, except I have an additional TB2 drive to plug in, too. I don't know that I would want to change from that even when other docks become available.
[doublepost=1479385455][/doublepost]

The whole external monitor thing is quite confusing, knowing whether you should go for (mini)DisplayPort or HDMI...

Has anyone tested a USB-C to DisplayPort cable yet? Most of them seem to be quite expensive... $30-50

I already have 3 DP-DP cables, so I'm planning to get 3 of these. They're cheaper than USB-C - DP cables.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K51GM4...lid=2HWB4ANUAF2HL&coliid=I31INGWSBP1AMJ&psc=1

 

[knassar]

7) USB-C to Displayport + USB-C to USB-A adapter.
Your DELL monitor has 4 USB ports, right? You can have all plugged in for $20-30

USB-C to DisplayPort is $40 on its own + $10 for USB-C to USB-A.

But i agree, this seems like by far the safest option

 

[Weaselboy]

I picked up my new TouchBar 13" MacBook Pro at the Apple Store yesterday and wanted to post a couple findings.

1. I used the Apple USB-C to TB2 adaptor with a TB male to male cable I had to run Migration Assistant during setup by booting the old (2014 rMBP) into target disk mode. Worked perfectly and very fast. Transfer speeds indicated as high as 106MB/s once it got going.

2. The Apple USB-C to TB2 adaptor works perfectly with my old Thunderbolt Display. Everything works as expected with no issues. Waiting to order the LG 5k once available.

3. I ordered some of these Aukey USB-C adaptors and they work. I saw a post earlier asking if adaptors like this will fit side by side in the USB-C ports. These will fit side by side, but it is somewhat snug.

Hope this helps somebody.

 

[phloo]

USB-C to DisplayPort is $40 on its own + $10 for USB-C to USB-A.

But i agree, this seems like by far the safest option

Nope. I paid 20 Euros for a good adapter + old displayport cable. (or buy one for 3 euro)

USB-C to USB-A costs from 50 cent to 4 Euros.

 

[evie0110]

I picked up my new TouchBar 13" MacBook Pro at the Apple Store yesterday and wanted to post a couple findings.

1. I used the Apple USB-C to TB2 adaptor with a TB male to male cable I had to run Migration Assistant during setup by booting the old (2014 rMBP) into target disk mode. Worked perfectly and very fast. Transfer speeds indicated as high as 106MB/s once it got going.

2. The Apple USB-C to TB2 adaptor works perfectly with my old Thunderbolt Display. Everything works as expected with no issues. Waiting to order the LG 5k once available.

3. I ordered some of these Aukey USB-C adaptors and they work. I saw a post earlier asking if adaptors like this will fit side by side in the USB-C ports. These will fit side by side, but it is somewhat snug.

Hope this helps somebody.

Any way you could test what speeds are like if you're using the Aukey adapters with an ext HD or reading an SD card?

 

[Weaselboy]

Any way you could test what speeds are like if you're using the Aukey adapters with an ext HD or reading an SD card?

Sure thing... here are some Blackmagic results I just ran for you.

1. Internal 256GB flash storage > 1320W/2000R (the needle is pegged, so it is likely much higher than this for read)

2. External Toshiba 2.5" USB3 HDD with Aukey adaptor > 83W/84R

3. External Samsung EVO 850 256GB in Inatech UASP USB3 enclosure with Aukey adaptor > 380W/406R

4. Class 10 SD card in FAT32 using this Satechi USB-C adaptor > 19W/36R

So overall, all the external stuff is the same as it was without adaptors on my 2014 rMBP.