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Dongle thread for the new Macbook Pro's

thesaint024 said:
Is the IOgear essentially the same as the Caldigit, OWC, and Kensington usb c docks? In a nutshell, DP connectivity with the other usual ports, but limited to 30hz 4k video?
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I don't know. MacOS doesn't want to display or admit to knowing refresh rates by default, I didn't get around to installing switchresx, and I don't actually have a 4k display; my display is 2560x1440. Nothing in the documentation suggested that it should be limited to 30Hz; it's basically just a passthrough for the standard signal, so it should work at full bandwidth. In theory. I didn't read the specs super carefully.
 
I've noticed Satechi adapters are really crap with their shielding. Wifi will interfere with the use of your USB devices, or USB devices will break your internet.

I bought a belkin adapter and it works 1000x better for booting my Windows 10 install from an external SSD

ALSO

I bought an Aukey USB 3.1 C to C cable and it wouldn't stop disconnecting and reconnecting when I jiggled the cable around. I wouldn't recommend them either.
 
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phloo said:
it's not recommended. You can do it, but it will charge your computer slower and at full load you'll still be running down the battery.
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Well, it probably will but we don't know for sure what the Macbook will consume at full load. It won't be that 87 watts I think, because Apple says you can charge 15 and 7 watt devices off the Macbook. If you do know exactly, I'd be very interested.

Plus, the lifetime of the adapter will be way shorter 'cause it has to work at full charge all the time
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Switched mode power supplies are quite complicated. Why do you think the lifetime will be shorter? Intuition or do you know how they work?

I'm nitpicking but I'd rather have facts.
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killawat said:
Now that the MBP is out I expect to see docks that have chipsets similar to what Apple is selling and what is supported natively in the OS. Ethernet is a huge example.
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Yeah, and the weird thing is, most product descriptions will just say "Ethernet!" Like it's a simple physical adapter instead of a miniature network card.

But honestly, I don't really want some random driver that might influence system stability, I much prefer Apple's own drivers that had a lot of time to mature.

That's also the reason I'm using (clones of) Apple's 100 Mbit USB-ethernet dongle. It just works.
 
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moosington said:
I'm looking for suggestions --

I have a 3440x1440 60hz monitor + monitor USB cord (kinda optional, nothing plugged into it) + mouse + keyboard + charger (pass through charging is fine as long as it supports the full 61 watts for 13" MBP). I want to get into my MBP with a single USBC cord, and I'd like that cord to be at least 2-3 feet so that I can hide all the cords under my desk.

I was thinking:

1. Apple's AV adapterhttp://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?fnode=8b
2. USBC3 hub

I'm not sure if the Apple dongle will give me 60hz though, and there don't seem to be decent USBC extender cables.

There's also the Archub (https://www.bourgedesign.com/). I like that it lets you plug a cable into it, but the damn thing is a circle. Who wants their cords going in all directions?!

What else you guys got?
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I had to return mine as it only did 30hz over HDMI. I had to get the usb-c to display port. to achieve the 60hz. I found this on apples website about the adapter. Scroll down to the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter section and you will see what it supports.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204360
 
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Alright Amazon screwed up my same day order and I needed to get this LED Cinema and Dell monitors going I started to look for local options. Fry's (if you have one in your area) has a large number of USB-C to Displayport stuff available, they're all different price with different functionalities so its hard to know which one is good. This one is rated up to 4k@60hz and appears to have more on the DP port side in terms of electronics. I also like their youtube page, they have a video of this particular adapter working with MacBook 2015 @ 4k which is pretty convincing.

http://www.j5create.com/our-products/usb-type-c-adapter/jca140.html
Using this cable https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0163LQUH6
jca140-left.jpg


As soon as I plug this into the Mac with the Dell display, everything is buttery smooth. The Cinema Display is another story. I have to use a short Mini DisplayPort to Displayport adapter to get this working, but it only works half the time. Actually, the only way to get it going is if I "warm" up the adapter by plugging in the dell, then quickly plugging in the DisplayPort cable from the Cinema Display. I fully believe its the short mDP adapter causing the issue so I'm going to try to pick up a different one. This monitor ALWAYS gives me issues with anything other than a straight mDP to a Mac.
 
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I hope a brand release a dock that allows connection to two LG 5K displays to two compatible Macs...

Apple will release new Mac Mini's & Mac Pro's sometime next year (probably, lol), and users with these displays will want to connect those plus their new 15" MBP's to them and be able to simply press a button on an adapter to switch between them on the fly.

Kanex used to have one for the Apple Cinema Display, allowing the user to plug two Macs into their adapter which was connected to the displays.

Is there a way currently to achieve this (say if you had two new 15" MBP's you wanted to switch between on the fly)?
 
anson42 said:
Here's a new cable from monoprice that claims to support USB3 speeds and power delivery at 100W:

http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15506

Alas, the lengths are 6" or 3' and in black or white. A 6' or longer option would be good.
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Nice cables. So I guess I can have one of these as a backup for charging the new Mac, right?

I'm looking for a Ethernet adapter with USB 3.0 hub. Has anyone tried the Anker one? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XU6PM68/. I haven't bought it yet waiting for reviews about compatibility and WiFi interference
 
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Got my MBP last week and have tried a few adapters with more on the way.

First up was a hub by Havit. It has 3 USB-A ports, 1 USB-c port, HDMI, and SD. Basically everything I need. Downside is it's silver not space gray (doesn't really matter) and the cable is too short based on the stand I use my MBP on. So it kind of dangles which I'm not entirely comfortable with.

71sc612LwSL._SL1500_.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IHJVZ4U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Next were a pair of Nonda USB adapters. They're compact, space gray, and cheap. They look great and match the MBP perfectly in person. Downside is they're pretty fat so I can't use two next to each other which sort of defeats buying multiples. They also insert into the USB-C port kind of rough. Not smooth like other USB-C cables I have and that's more concerning to me.

41B1ro-r2jL.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015Z7XE0A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Since I didn't want to use all dongles I purchased this BC Master USB-C Lightning cable. Charges and data transfers without issue. Currently unavailable, but it was $10 when I bought it a few weeks ago.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KO5NJ44/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I ordered all of the above the same day I ordered the laptop. After it came in and I could actually try the stuff out I decided to order a few different things.

Rather than a hub for everything (mainly external drives), I decided to buy a few USB-B to USB-C cables. They should be here this week, but I'm hoping there aren't any issues. Having a cable that connects directly into my hard drive is ideal.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z5XFH82/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Next I decided to go with smaller USB-A to USB-c adapters. Believe these are slightly slimmer than the Nonda and might fit side by side. More importantly, I hope they fit in the ports smoother than the Nonda adapters. They might not look as slick, but whatever.

61XwFCjgCrL._SL1500_.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EL4PVFE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

To solve the SD card issue, I just picked up a dedicated reader. Plan to use one of the above adapters on this exclusively.

81FryiRAbBL._SL1500_.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OJ5WBUE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lastly, I picked up an Apple USB adapter just to try it and the fact it was only $9. In the end, I plan on keeping 2 USB-A to USB-C adapters, the USB-C lightning, and the USB-B to C cables. Shouldn't need any other adapters assuming these cables work. Fingers crossed.
 
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mdwsta4 said:
Next were a pair of Nonda USB adapters. They're compact, space gray, and cheap. They look great and match the MBP perfectly in person. Downside is they're pretty fat so I can't use two next to each other which sort of defeats buying multiples. They also insert into the USB-C port kind of rough. Not smooth like other USB-C cables I have and that's more concerning to me.
Click to expand...

I feel the same way about the Nonda adapters. While the Apple USB-C adapters click nicely into place, my one Nonda adapter does not, offering instead a somewhat mushy experience. I've been able to disconnect the adapter from the MBP by simply pressing down on the adapter, something I can't do with the Apple adapters. I may just keep it but i'm not buying any more of them. While the Apple adapters are longer/larger, they are solidly built.
 
nulambhbk said:
Replying to my own post here, but for anybody looking for alternative power cables, a Google engineer along with a volunteer have put together a great doc rating many of the options out there. Remember, for a 2016 15" MBP, you want cables rated up to 5A/100W:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vnpEXfo2HCGADdd9G2x9dMDWqENiY2kgBJUu29f_TX8/pubhtml#
Click to expand...

What we need is a Google sheet for these bloody dongles! So many variations on what works PROPERLY, and what kinda sometimes works, and what doesn't work at all... all making for mass headaches on picking decent products.

Amazon sells all the crap Chinese shiz amongst all the better quality items, and that of course adds to all the chaos. :confused:
 
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An update to the post I made the other day. The USB-B to USB-C cables work perfectly! Screw using adapters, replacing the whole cable makes things way easier. The transfer speeds are also unbelievable! Of course, I'm coming from a 2011 MBP so it's USB ports are pretty outdated.

The Rankie USB-A to USB-C adapters also surprised me. One, they're made out of metal (I was expecting plastic), two there is two to a pack (so $7 for 2 instead of $9-10 for one of another brand), three they fit in the port with no resistance and no play, and four, you can easily fit two adapters next to each other. The Nonda adapters felt like there were grains of sand when trying to insert them, did not sit in the port securely, and were too wide so you could not fit two next to each other. To me, these are THE adapters to buy. The price makes it even better.

All in all, the USB-C transition wasn't near as bad as I was expecting. All my external HD's now have USBC cables, my lightning cable is USBC, and I can simply use two small adapters for my SD reader, external dvd drive, or traditional USB sticks. Even more happy with my new machine now!!
 
mdwsta4 said:
Screw using adapters, replacing the whole cable makes things way easier.
Click to expand...

I'm starting to feel the same way. I just ordered from Monoprice:

* USB-C to USB 3 B
* USB-C to USB 3 micro B

and the USB-C power delivery cable I referenced earlier. Except for the USB-C charge cable (that also syncs at USB 3 speeds) the other cables are cheaper than most USB adapters and just plain easier to work with. Plus I don't have to worry about misplacing an adapter.
 
Any good alternatives to the (ugly) USB-C, SD card reader that Apple is selling?

Electronic stores has some cheap ones (and just as ugly), but are they good/fast enough?
 
rossy100 said:
Hi all

So I've just ordered my new MBP. I will want a USB C Hub that definitely includes USB 3.0 and power, preferably Ethernet and if possible Screen connection (doesn't need to be 4K).

I see there are lots available on amazon but having read through this thread I note that many don't deliver (e.g. Not USB 3.0 or not powerful enough to charge).

Please can someone provide details of the hubs that are confirmed to satisfy the above (I imagine this could be a useful matrix to keep as a sticky :) )

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Can anyone suggest a suitable hub for the above (that has bee proven to work)? I now have my new MBP, so would like to order a hub soon. thanks!
 
I was using a WD MyPassport drive with a Satechi adapter to connect to a MBP and it started to play up - the disk would disconnect regularly for no reason. At some point the disk became corrupted and Disk Utility couldn't do anything with it, but I wasn't sure if it was down to a fault with the disk or the Satechi. I've totally erased the volume, created a new one and its working flawlessly again on an iMac, so I'm starting to think the Satechi was at fault.

Just thought it was worth mentioning.
 
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