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Feelings about living in dongle hell w/ MBP 2016
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I actually haven't used a dongle yet, even though I bought a few (USB-C to USB, USB-C to VGA/Multiport and USB-C to HDMI/Multiport).
My flash drive has both USB-C and standard USB connectors, so no adapter required. The times I've needed to present off my laptop at work so far I've used AirPlay. Otherwise, I don't really plug too much in. At some point, I know I will need the VGA adapter since we use a lot of VGA projectors at work, but haven't as of yet.
Actually, I'm not being 100% accurate. I have an Apple Thunderbolt Display at home on which I have a TB2-to-TB3 adapter, but that doesn't travel with me...
My flash drive has both USB-C and standard USB connectors, so no adapter required. The times I've needed to present off my laptop at work so far I've used AirPlay. Otherwise, I don't really plug too much in. At some point, I know I will need the VGA adapter since we use a lot of VGA projectors at work, but haven't as of yet.
Actually, I'm not being 100% accurate. I have an Apple Thunderbolt Display at home on which I have a TB2-to-TB3 adapter, but that doesn't travel with me...
No. The only adapter I need is a USB-A to USB-C for transferring my iPhone photos. Might get a multi port adapter later to use an external monitor, but I usually use my MBP on the go.
This whole #donglelife thing is, in my opinion, much ado about nothing. I have 13"tbMBP, and had a 12" rMB before that. Have lived 3 + years with only USB-C devices, and haven't had my life turned upside down by needing a dongle. Quite the contrary. I find myself almost never plugging anything in to my MBP besides a charging cable. Between Dropbox, Airdrop, and email, I can send and receive just about whatever I need.
I invested a year ago in the Satechi multi-hub. Never use it.
I invested a year ago in the Satechi multi-hub. Never use it.
It's no different than my 2013 . All my ports are packed like they where. Printer, 3 external hard drives , 27 inch monitor , hub for 3 subs and Ethernet. The only addition is a SD card reader
Its really not a big deal. You can buy cheaply some adapters and dongles. I went mostly with Apple stuff but I do have a 3 USB HUB and Ethernet from Anker that works very well. I also bought for certain accessories a USB 3 male to USB -C. Ill get you some links
As time moves forward, USB-C will be standard. The MacBook Pro is a little ahead of its time. It's a future-proof laptop. So time will help and things can only get better! If USB-C is the future, it's time to begin embracing it now and dongles will become less and less!
I ordered a very short one of these for my SD card reader and my Samsung T1
https://www.amazon.com/CableCreation-USB3-1-USB-C-Macbook-Chromebook/dp/B012V56654/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480365129&sr=8-1&keywords=CableCreation+USB+3.1+Type+C+(USB-C)+to+USB+3.0+Micro-B+Cable,+Micro+USB+3.1+USB-C
Also this hub works great as well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XU6PM68/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For HDMI I ordered Apples dongle
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?fnode=8b
I have a lot of things attached to my computer and all working very well.
Just for a rundown which many may not have this much attached. I have 3 External Drives, Samsung T1, WD 4tb enclosure, A huge Pegasus R4 Raid 0 drive , New 27 inch monitor, Printer, DVD writer, A Voyager that takes bare spinning drives and a SD card reader. Now i had all of this on my 2013 except the SD reader but using that ethernet USB hub. I eliminated a dedicated port from my old machine for ethernet. So I'm breaking even. LOL
Eventually I may get the OWC hub but really in no hurry for that as it really does not buy me much in technical terms just look. But I have all these cables tugged away nicely now.
So living hell would be something completely different this is not it. LOL
https://www.amazon.com/CableCreation-USB3-1-USB-C-Macbook-Chromebook/dp/B012V56654/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480365129&sr=8-1&keywords=CableCreation+USB+3.1+Type+C+(USB-C)+to+USB+3.0+Micro-B+Cable,+Micro+USB+3.1+USB-C
Also this hub works great as well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XU6PM68/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For HDMI I ordered Apples dongle
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?fnode=8b
I have a lot of things attached to my computer and all working very well.
Just for a rundown which many may not have this much attached. I have 3 External Drives, Samsung T1, WD 4tb enclosure, A huge Pegasus R4 Raid 0 drive , New 27 inch monitor, Printer, DVD writer, A Voyager that takes bare spinning drives and a SD card reader. Now i had all of this on my 2013 except the SD reader but using that ethernet USB hub. I eliminated a dedicated port from my old machine for ethernet. So I'm breaking even. LOL
Eventually I may get the OWC hub but really in no hurry for that as it really does not buy me much in technical terms just look. But I have all these cables tugged away nicely now.
So living hell would be something completely different this is not it. LOL
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didn't this turn out to be a myth propagated by people who hadn't actually even used the device?
As usual, in the end I plug in less stuff to my laptop than before. It is VERY NICE to feed a 4K display with 2 USB 2.0 ports and charging via one cable.
I both loath the dongles and love the computer overall. I too would rather have the ports back, and agree that the spongy dongles detract from the spectacular computer. I bought two dongle combos and forgot about my lightening display. Lol. Now I will be buying a third dongle. Apples dongles spread the computer out and get in the way of other things I usually have next to it.
In my view they really detract from a computer that was built on a slender form factor. Also, one of the drivers keeps trying to update no matter how many times I update it.
So for people who hate the dongles and feel anger, etc. towards them, I feel your pain. However, it didn't prevent me from buying it or will not cause me to take it back. I needed a new computer and will not buy a PC which is worse than the dongles for me, and I'm not going backwards and Buy last years model. The 15 inch I bought,dongles aside, is a truly visually and functionally spectacular, computer. I had to admit that as much as the price and dongles irrated me.
Now the headphone jack on the iPhone 7 is another issue, but not a part of this thread.
In my view they really detract from a computer that was built on a slender form factor. Also, one of the drivers keeps trying to update no matter how many times I update it.
So for people who hate the dongles and feel anger, etc. towards them, I feel your pain. However, it didn't prevent me from buying it or will not cause me to take it back. I needed a new computer and will not buy a PC which is worse than the dongles for me, and I'm not going backwards and Buy last years model. The 15 inch I bought,dongles aside, is a truly visually and functionally spectacular, computer. I had to admit that as much as the price and dongles irrated me.
Now the headphone jack on the iPhone 7 is another issue, but not a part of this thread.