Dongle thread for the new Macbook Pro's

[Baldrake]

Tell me about it. This is taking some real planning! Hopefully the transition happens quickly over the next few years.

Long-term isn't so bad - for example, long-term we'll be decked out with those fancy 5k monitors. I'm really trying to think of what to do late November when my computer arrives and I'm trying to plug it in to all my existing devices!

But the fact that the current situation is transitional is what makes it difficult. How much do I want to spend to keep my ancient DVI monitor going until I get around to purchasing one of those LG monitors?

 

[NAYo2002]

I posted in another thread but I wanted to contribute my solution here as well just in case:

I'm going to get a few of these and leave them permanently connected to my existing USB A devices. These are only about $4 each so cost is not a concern as long as they work well. I can even use a regular USB SD card reader with this.



https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Rank...sr=8-4&keywords=usb+c+adapter#customerReviews

 

[schmidti91]

I'll just get the the Apple ones not to take the risk of frying my machine. I guess they got what they wanted. If you already open the Accessory page of the Apple Store, the cables sub-category is on the front page.

Some extra cha-ching for Apple to compensate for the underpriced MacBooks

 

[GoodOne]

I Need Ethernet, HDMI and USB 3 and I'm looking for a portable one cable solution.

After researching on Amazon I coulnd't find a decent hub, most have terrible Quality, are unstable or whatever.

Anyone got an idea?

 

[BondFancy]

I Need Ethernet, HDMI and USB 3 and I'm looking for a portable one cable solution.

After researching on Amazon I coulnd't find a decent hub, most have terrible Quality, are unstable or whatever.

Anyone got an idea?

Same boat, really hoping in the next month some good ones come out.

 

[Baldrake]

Good lord, a power adapter costs $150 in Canada. That is, if you want the cables that allow you to plug it into the computer and the wall. I have been trying to look at all of this positively, but my goodness that's outrageous.

 

[Ryan1524]

Same boat, really hoping in the next month some good ones come out.

http://www.apple.com/ca/shop/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?fnode=8b

Gets you mostly there...



Some from Amazon...But reviews show doubt whether they'll work.

https://www.amazon.ca/Dell-Adapter-Type-Ethernet-470-ABQN/dp/B012DT6KW2

https://www.amazon.ca/Cable-Matters...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZE7PMXS43WG68M9RDXE4

 

[MacPioneer]

FWIW, I've been happy with an Anker hub I bought for use with my rMB. It has two standard USB ports and an Ethernet port, as well as a pass-through USB-C/power port. Not ideal for the new MBPs, it would be nice if it had an HDMI port and an SD slot. The pass-through port is no longer necessary.

I'm sure Anker and others are looking at the situation and designing useful stuff.

 

[Time Less]

I posted in another thread but I wanted to contribute my solution here as well just in case:

I'm going to get a few of these and leave them permanently connected to my existing USB A devices. These are only about $4 each so cost is not a concern as long as they work well. I can even use a regular USB SD card reader with this.

View attachment 669067

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Rank...sr=8-4&keywords=usb+c+adapter#customerReviews

I was planning on doing the same but a couple 1 star reviews made me reconsider. One mentioned that they couldn't sync their iPhone to their rMB so transferring data can be a risk.

 

[anzio]

Good lord, a power adapter costs $150 in Canada. That is, if you want the cables that allow you to plug it into the computer and the wall. I have been trying to look at all of this positively, but my goodness that's outrageous.

You seem to be looking at almost all of the same things as me, haha. I noticed that price tag too. I wanted a second charger so I could leave one at my desk at home and have one charger with me on the go. I still am leaning towards a charger, but at that price, I'm thinking I can handle packing it up from my desk; however, the setup I have going right now is very nice without needing to pull out a charger when I get home.

They seem to be using an odd tactic with the USB-C charging cable and the power adapter being separate representing an almost $25 increase without the extension over the traditional MagSafe power adapters.

 

[yillbs]

Lightning to USB c : https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MK0X2A...1477789858&sr=8-2&keywords=lightning+to+USB+c

And the dual USB ports, memory card ports, and one more USB c port : https://www.amazon.com/Satechi-Type...UTF8&qid=1477789892&sr=1-6&keywords=USB+C+hub

That's really all anyone should / would need. Getting an adapter for USB c to hdmi is silly. Here is a USB c to HDMI : https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Dis...&qid=1477789961&sr=1-25&keywords=USB+C+to+DVI

DVI is the way to go IMO. Not to mention DVI to HTMI cables are even cheaper then HDMI to DVI right now.

 

[anzio]

Getting an adapter for USB c to hdmi is silly

I wouldn't say getting a USB-C to HDMI adapter is silly. I have HDMI cables, so I don't need another one. A dongle (even just permanently attached to my HDMI cable) gives me the flexibility to plug into any cable I want including ones hanging out of a presentation podium, or as someone else mentioned, the ability to just unplug an HDMI cable running between a TV and a set top box or other device.

So yeah, I would consider the USB-C to HDMI cable, but an adapter would give me a little more flexibility on the go. It's definitely a good alternative, but an adapter is not necessarily silly.

 

[BenTrovato]

What about this one for those of us that need hdmi and Ethernet along with 1 usbA port? I'll still need to connect my 4K monitor but thinking DisplayPort to USB c separate cable might be the way to go.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01EYEKCDW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AU2Q3NS0NOJ0K&psc=1

 

[JPNFRK7]

Will something like this work with the new pros since they are thinner? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019PHF9UY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_n.ufyb9QMTYBF

These have everything I need on them but just wondering if the laptop is too thin for them.

 

[killawat]

I got this:
http://www.accellcables.com/collections/adapters/products/usb-c-to-3-usb-a-3-0-hub
USB-C to 3 USB-A 3.0 Hub

Accell is one of the few if only who make compliant displayport cables so I expect their USB-C kit to be top notch as well.

They also make single interface varieties:
http://www.accellcables.com/collections/adapters/products/usb-c-to-a-usb-3-0-adapter

 

[Baldrake]

Getting an adapter for USB c to hdmi is silly.

Projectors.

 

[NJRonbo]

Honestly if they could just get an sd slot in that thing it would be great
[doublepost=1477762984][/doublepost]
Nice

That round dongle is great. Alas, no ethernet.

 

[groundcontrol]

I found two interesting dongle & the new MBP related articles...

This one talking about the pros of USB-C but also venting about the dongle situation. A decent read...
https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-macbook-pro-usb-c-thunderbolt-decision/

And this one noting how a certain Microsoft Display Dock might be perfect for the new MBPs!
http://winbeta.org/news/need-an-all...ew-macbook-pro-use-the-microsoft-display-dock

Interesting stuff! I'm actually going to give that Microsoft one a second look.

 

[NAYo2002]

I was planning on doing the same but a couple 1 star reviews made me reconsider. One mentioned that they couldn't sync their iPhone to their rMB so transferring data can be a risk.

Yea that's the problem with Amazon. Too many fake reviews (overly positive ones probably paid by the sellers and overly negative ones from competitors) so I never know which to trust. I figured I'd take a shot for $8. I'll report back when I get my MBP in a few weeks.

 

[striders]

For those who posted Amazon link, can you share if you actually have the USB dongle/adapter/etc and if it work?

Not doubting anyone, but I am looking at many USB-C adapter (USB-C to USB-A Female) and hub in Amazon and many seems to have bogus reviews, based on http://fakespot.com.

And this one noting how a certain Microsoft Display Dock might be perfect for the new MBPs!
http://winbeta.org/news/need-an-all...ew-macbook-pro-use-the-microsoft-display-dock

That MS Display Dock only have USB 2.0, though, not USB 3.0.

I'm going to get a few of these and leave them permanently connected to my existing USB A devices. These are only about $4 each so cost is not a concern as long as they work well. I can even use a regular USB SD card reader with this.

View attachment 669067

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Rank...sr=8-4&keywords=usb+c+adapter#customerReviews

This looks quite big:

But does it work at full USB 3.0 speed? If it does, I'll buy a couple.

This one looks smaller, but more expensive:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015Z7XE0A/ref=pd_luc_rh_sim_02_04_t_img_lh?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[NAYo2002]

For those who posted Amazon link, can you share if you actually have the USB dongle/adapter/etc and if it work?

Not doubting anyone, but I am looking at many USB-C adapter (USB-C to USB-A Female) and hub in Amazon and many seems to have bogus reviews, based on http://fakespot.com.

That's a pretty nifty site. I don't have my MBP yet so I can't say. The adapters seems to be pretty good quality and says USB 3.0 so I'm hoping they will actually get 3.0 speeds. I'll just suck it up and buy apples $20 dongle if these don't work.

 

[Ender17]

Only 60W power.

and $130

 

[striders]

That's a pretty nifty site. I don't have my MBP yet so I can't say. The adapters seems to be pretty good quality and says USB 3.0 so I'm hoping they will actually get 3.0 speeds. I'll just suck it up and buy apples $20 dongle if these don't work.

Yeah, I don't have my MBP yet and probably would have to wait a long time (going to buy from Best Buy since I got some gift cards), but would love to see people test these 3rd party adapter with Black Magic Speed Test or something.

 

[NAYo2002]

Yeah, I don't have my MBP yet and probably would have to wait a long time (going to buy from Best Buy since I got some gift cards), but would love to see people test these 3rd party adapter with Black Magic Speed Test or something.

I waited a day to preorder since I waited to use a gift card I got from an iPad trade in. My expected delivery is Dec 6-12

I will do some tests and report back but I'm hoping others can test it before then.

 

[groundcontrol]

This site lists various adapters that work with USB-C.

It also says that OWC has confirmed that they will be announcing / releasing a new TB3 this coming Tuesday.

https://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2016/20161029_1016-Apple2016MacBookPro-compatibility.html