M1 dongle issues with laser pointers

[rockwell.norman]

I have a M1 MacBook Pro that just won't function with any laser pointers.

Well technically it's not mine but I'm the tech guy for my company and there's this one M1 MBP in the office that refuses to work with any laser pointers with a dongle.

I've had the laptop connected with two different docks through USBc and attached the simple dongle of two different laser pointers (one brandies and one Logitech at separate times) and none of them function smoothly. They'd get disconnected ever so often that I can't do any form of presentation with any laser pointers for work.

I've spent about 100euros now for these docks and laser pointers just for troubleshooting. Don't want to spend more as I'm not sure if it's got anything to do with known bluetooth issues of M1 MacBooks?

Does anyone experience the same problem? Any help or explanation is appreciated.

 

[satcomer]

Laser pointers? That's a new one, can you post a picture!

 

[DanTSX]

Have you checked power administration?

May be system admin level if you are on a company computer

 

[jerryk]

I have a M1 MacBook Pro that just won't function with any laser pointers.

Well technically it's not mine but I'm the tech guy for my company and there's this one M1 MBP in the office that refuses to work with any laser pointers with a dongle.

I've had the laptop connected with two different docks through USBc and attached the simple dongle of two different laser pointers (one brandies and one Logitech at separate times) and none of them function smoothly. They'd get disconnected ever so often that I can't do any form of presentation with any laser pointers for work.

I've spent about 100euros now for these docks and laser pointers just for troubleshooting. Don't want to spend more as I'm not sure if it's got anything to do with known bluetooth issues of M1 MacBooks?

Does anyone experience the same problem? Any help or explanation is appreciated.

By laser pointer do you mean something like a Logitech R800 slide presenter clicker remote with laser (see below)? If so, I have used mine with the M1 Air and it worked fine. I have used it successfully with Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint.

I connect it to the Air via a USB-C hub with USB-A ports. I plug the receiver for the clicker into the hub.

Logitech Professional Presenter R800, Wireless Presentation Clicker Remote with Green Laser Pointer and LCD Display , Black

Logitech professional Presenter R800 gives you powerful control for high-impact presentations. The brilliant Green laser pointer is easy to see, even on flat panel displays, projection screens, and in brightly lit rooms. Manage your time with silent, vibrating alerts and controls that are easy to...

www.amazon.com

 

[rockwell.norman]

By laser pointer do you mean something like a Logitech R800 slide presenter clicker remote with laser (see below)? If so, I have used mine with the M1 Air and it worked fine. I have used it successfully with Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint.

I connect it to the Air via a USB-C hub with USB-A ports. I plug the receiver for the clicker into the hub.

Logitech Professional Presenter R800, Wireless Presentation Clicker Remote with Green Laser Pointer and LCD Display , Black

Logitech professional Presenter R800 gives you powerful control for high-impact presentations. The brilliant Green laser pointer is easy to see, even on flat panel displays, projection screens, and in brightly lit rooms. Manage your time with silent, vibrating alerts and controls that are easy to...

www.amazon.com

Yes exactly. I have a R500 and it just keeps disconnecting. And another brandless one too and it's completely unreliable. What USB-C Hub are you using?

 

[xraydoc]

I have a M1 MacBook Pro that just won't function with any laser pointers.

Well technically it's not mine but I'm the tech guy for my company and there's this one M1 MBP in the office that refuses to work with any laser pointers with a dongle.

I've had the laptop connected with two different docks through USBc and attached the simple dongle of two different laser pointers (one brandies and one Logitech at separate times) and none of them function smoothly. They'd get disconnected ever so often that I can't do any form of presentation with any laser pointers for work.

I've spent about 100euros now for these docks and laser pointers just for troubleshooting. Don't want to spend more as I'm not sure if it's got anything to do with known bluetooth issues of M1 MacBooks?

Does anyone experience the same problem? Any help or explanation is appreciated.

Try the simple Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter and see if they work. Some docks have RF interference on their USB 3 ports.

 

[jerryk]

Yes exactly. I have a R500 and it just keeps disconnecting. And another brandless one too and it's completely unreliable. What USB-C Hub are you using?

I carry a couple of hubs around for presentations. They are both generic $30 units I got from Amazon. One is labeled VDOOVE the other is HooToo.

Be sure you don't go too far from the receiver with the pointer if you are doing walk-n-talk. Also, they are pretty short-range, 50 feet or so.

In addition, I know the R500 has some power-saving features. From https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023459813-Getting-Started-R500

The R500 automatically goes into deep sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity.

To prevent draining the battery when not used or when traveling, the R500 will instantly go to deep sleep if not connected to a computer. The laser will also be automatically stopped after a continuous press of 2 minutes.

 

[rockwell.norman]

Yes exactly. I have a R500 and it just keeps disconnecting. And another brandless one too and it's completely unreliable. What USB-C Hub are you using?

Where can I find them? I've never seen a simple USB-C to USB-A...

 

[rockwell.norman]

I carry a couple of hubs around for presentations. They are both generic $30 units I got from Amazon. One is labeled VDOOVE the other is HooToo.

Be sure you don't go too far from the receiver with the pointer if you are doing walk-n-talk. Also, they are pretty short-range, 50 feet or so.

In addition, I know the R500 has some power-saving features. From https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023459813-Getting-Started-R500

The R500 automatically goes into deep sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity.

To prevent draining the battery when not used or when traveling, the R500 will instantly go to deep sleep if not connected to a computer. The laser will also be automatically stopped after a continuous press of 2 minutes.

Hmm maybe I should look into your hubs. But definitely not more than 50ft. A small meeting room and the pace distance is from the laptop to the projector screen. Not across the room. But I'm certain the connection is not stable and it's not on power saving either cause the owner of the M1 is a rapid presenter, 200 slides in 1hr...

 

[Lihp8270]

Where can I find them? I've never seen a simple USB-C to USB-A...

Apple have a simple single usb-c to usb-a

 

[jerryk]

Hmm maybe I should look into your hubs. But definitely not more than 50ft. A small meeting room and the pace distance is from the laptop to the projector screen. Not across the room. But I'm certain the connection is not stable and it's not on power saving either cause the owner of the M1 is a rapid presenter, 200 slides in 1hr...

200 slides in 1 hr. The guys should just make a video!

Just to clarify the user is using the Logitech receiver plugged into the MBP via a USB adapter, and not Bluetooth, correct? My R800 is an older design and does not have Bluetooth.

 

[rockwell.norman]

200 slides in 1 hr. The guys should just make a video!

Just to clarify the user is using the Logitech receiver plugged into the MBP via a USB adapter, and not Bluetooth, correct? My R800 is an older design and does not have Bluetooth.

yes, with receiver plugged into the usbA of the hub/dock connected via usbC, not the bluetooth

 

[atz]

I have the same problem with R400 model. I plugged it in a M1 macbook pro via the apple usb/a-c/ single adapter. MacOS monterey opened a recognize your keyabord window. I closed the window and that was the end of it. My keyboard no longer worked, I was not able to move slides. Only once I unplugged the adapter the keyboard started to work.. very strange, as I never had a problem with that remote on intel macs