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MacBook Accessories on a budget

crucius

crucius

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 4, 2010
156
0
Portugal
Hi all!

Whenever I can, I like to spend as few Euros (or dollars, or pounds, or whatever) as possible. I just bought the new rMB - and love it, of course - but I think its accessories and just too expensive. Thus, I created this thread so that we can post the cheapest possible alternatives to official rMB accessories. This includes sleeves, adapters, keyboards, screens, whatever you may think of. I will update this first post with your suggestions daily.

#Sleeves
1. Felt sleeve (http://www.ebay.com/itm/271800513644?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT). Price paid (delivered): 19.90 Euro (22.67 USD)

#Adapters
1. USB-C Male to USB-A 3.0 Female (http://www.ebay.com/itm/221754464448?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT). Price paid (delivered): 3.73 Euro (4.25 USD) - DOESN'T WORK (at least mine)
2. USB-A 3.0 Male to USB-C 3.1 Male (http://www.ebay.com/itm/301559657752?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT). Price paid (delivered): 5.24 Euro (5.99 USD)
 
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Nice prices, and I think usb-c adapters, dongles and cables are about to become cheap and plentiful.

But I'm not sure about the single hard adapters. I think it would have a greater possibility of damaging the nMB's sole usb c port if the item it was attached to was moved or jostled than a dongle.
 
USB-C hub with 3 USB-A 3.0 and 1 Ethernet: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261870590062

$20

No idea if it will be as described but it worth the purchase as an experiment.

Apparently it has USB 3.0 support on its USB-A ports and Ethernet adapter. It also has an LED charging light on the USB-C bit. $20. If it works as intended, brilliant. If not it was worth a try and that's the price of admission for an early adopter, that ai am willing to pay.

Hopefully using this one adapter will result in two things:
  • Allow me to charge and maintain the exact same numbers of ports as my 11" MBA has.
  • Allow me to carry around the exact same number of adapters (two) in my bag as I currently do with my 11" MBA.
 
Got my eye on a few cheap sleeves from eBay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOLE-NEW-...707?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item463a13b0db

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271800513644

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-KALID...573?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43dc4b6d75

Will probably order the 1st in Gold for the Gold rMB I have on order. Though will maybe get the felt one too. Both will, I imagine, function as general folders/document holders so 2 wont go wrong.

Really don't want t a case or sleeve with a zip as I would be concerned that would scratch the rMB. Also I find them a but faffy. Hubbie bought me a case for my iPad that zipped all around and the zip drove me nuts
 
The felt is smoother/softer on the inside than the outside. The outside is fine and not really rough.

The flap is the issue as there is too much slack, so when folded over and snapped there is 1/2" gap. Not the end of the world but no necessary either. It should snap over a bit more snugly. I alerted the company. I would insist on it if you order.
 
troubleonline said:
Got my eye on a few cheap sleeves from eBay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOLE-NEW-...707?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item463a13b0db

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271800513644

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-KALID...573?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43dc4b6d75

Will probably order the 1st in Gold for the Gold rMB I have on order. Though will maybe get the felt one too. Both will, I imagine, function as general folders/document holders so 2 wont go wrong.

Really don't want t a case or sleeve with a zip as I would be concerned that would scratch the rMB. Also I find them a but faffy. Hubbie bought me a case for my iPad that zipped all around and the zip drove me nuts
Click to expand...

Those won't be big enough for standard A4 documents though, if they are fitted to the MB's dimensions, right? That is my only minutae gripe that I've had ever since I got my 11" MBA in 2011, have had to have an extra document folio on those occasions when I had paperwork (admittedly very rarely!) I needed with. Now with the 12" MB I am so used to it I don't think twice about it.
 
MyopicPaideia said:
Those won't be big enough for standard A4 documents though, if they are fitted to the MB's dimensions, right? That is my only minutae gripe that I've had ever since I got my 11" MBA in 2011, have had to have an extra document folio on those occasions when I had paperwork (admittedly very rarely!) I needed with. Now with the 12" MB I am so used to it I don't think twice about it.
Click to expand...

It's a good point but I wouldn't be so bothered about putting A4 documents or notepads in it. A lot of my personal stationery' journals and notebooks etc tend to be smaller than A4 anyway. Thought I tend to buy/use handbags for work that can easily accommodate A4 pads.

I have this that I put all my travel docs in that would fit the MacBook but am reluctant to use with the zip without putting a hard shell case on the rMB.

https://www.alphabetbags.com/shopall/canvas_pouches/bonvoyage_pouch.htm
 
troubleonline said:
It's a good point but I wouldn't be so bothered about putting A4 documents or notepads in it. A lot of my personal stationery' journals and notebooks etc tend to be smaller than A4 anyway. Thought I tend to buy/use handbags for work that can easily accommodate A4 pads.

I have this that I put all my travel docs in that would fit the MacBook but am reluctant to use with the zip without putting a hard shell case on the rMB.

https://www.alphabetbags.com/shopall/canvas_pouches/bonvoyage_pouch.htm
Click to expand...

Fun bag! :p I just brought it up because it was something I hadn't even given the first thought about before I actually got my 11" MBA and had to travel around with paperwork for the first time like 3 weeks later :eek:

----------
bounou said:
I ordered the suede sleeve from sfbags.com, had one for a few years for my 15" rMBP and really loved it.

Only 25$.


https://www.sfbags.com/collections/macbook-cases/products/macbook-suede-jacket-sleeve

I "ordered" a Hub+ from Kickstarter also and thinking about getting one of the HDMI dongles from Apple, 99$ is really pricy.
Click to expand...

Not bad - I was going to add the Zip Brief from there I ordered as well, but I didn't think that qualified as low cost/budget :D
 
bounou said:
I "ordered" a Hub+ from Kickstarter also and thinking about getting one of the HDMI dongles from Apple, 99$ is really pricy.
Click to expand...

In my case: yeah, it is pricey, but I so desperately need one that I wouldn't care. But in Portugal there are no adapters to buy on a physical store, and takes 3 weeks to deliver one through Apple. I need it for this friday. Ugh.

----------
LetsTryMac said:
can you give feedback about this sleeve?
is the touch smooth? good quality of the material?
is it tight with the rMB or is the thing floating inside?
are the buttons strong enough so that the rMB does not falls if you grab on the wrong side?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I can't because I don't have it yet. As soon as I do, I will! Those are my concerns as well (and I'm also worried about those buttons, because I think that by taking the MB out and put it in in a hurry they may eventually scratch the MB.

----------
troubleonline said:
Got my eye on a few cheap sleeves from eBay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOLE-NEW-...707?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item463a13b0db

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271800513644

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-KALID...573?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43dc4b6d75

Really don't want t a case or sleeve with a zip as I would be concerned that would scratch the rMB.
Click to expand...

Exactly, wouldn't consider one with a zipper because of that.

----------
thitiv said:
A list of cases I am interested on eBay. It would grow over time.
http://www.ebay.com/cln/thitiv/Retina-MacBook-Cases/205003711015?
Click to expand...

I love the light brown sleeve (that they call yellow), but my problem with things that are too tight is that if for some reason a grain of sand or other abrasive gets inside I may not notice and scratch the MB when putting it in. But they are really really stylish!
 
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bounou said:
I ordered the suede sleeve from sfbags.com, had one for a few years for my 15" rMBP and really loved it.

Only 25$.


https://www.sfbags.com/collections/macbook-cases/products/macbook-suede-jacket-sleeve

I "ordered" a Hub+ from Kickstarter also and thinking about getting one of the HDMI dongles from Apple, 99$ is really pricy.
Click to expand...

I really like that suede sleeve - esp with the horizontal opening. Pity no colour options but am tempted given shipping to Scotland is not exorbitant.
 
MyopicPaideia said:
Would love to know more about that Pofoko bag...almost like a portrait mode briefcase. Are those pockets I see for peripherals/accessories?
Click to expand...


I've been using the Pofoko vertical bag for my 11" Air since Dec'14. I sold the 11" and bought the rMB and the rMB still fits in it well. The front pocket is for bigger accessories, like chargers, laser pointers, VGA adapters. The back pocket is for flat stuff, like documents and even an iPad Air (it does fit).
 
troubleonline said:
I really like that suede sleeve - esp with the horizontal opening. Pity no colour options but am tempted given shipping to Scotland is not exorbitant.
Click to expand...

I've been using the suede sleeve from sfbags.com on my 11" MBA for years, and I really like it. It doesn't offer padding except for the bottom edge, and it's questionable as to whether it qualifies as a budget purchase. But I travel a lot and every ounce matters. The sleeve weighs just over 2 ounces and adds no bulk when the computer is in my nylon briefcase.

Around town I can hand-carry the just computer and sleeve. The deep black material is an effective disguise, and I can put it down without worrying about scratches.

The sleeve wouldn't work as a full-time, standalone computer bag, of course. But for those who usually slip their computers into another bag, it's worth considering.
 
French River said:
I've been using the suede sleeve from sfbags.com on my 11" MBA for years, and I really like it. It doesn't offer padding except for the bottom edge, and it's questionable as to whether it qualifies as a budget purchase. But I travel a lot and every ounce matters. The sleeve weighs just over 2 ounces and adds no bulk when the computer is in my nylon briefcase.

Around town I can hand-carry the just computer and sleeve. The deep black material is an effective disguise, and I can put it down without worrying about scratches.

The sleeve wouldn't work as a full-time, standalone computer bag, of course. But for those who usually slip their computers into another bag, it's worth considering.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I would definitely have a use for a sleeve to use as you describe. Most of the time it will stay at home so this would be ideal and when I do take out I tend to pop in another bag. Did you have a sleeve with a vertical or horizontal opening?
 
Maybe I missed it, but is there a legitimate USB-C to Lightning cable yet? I see some on eBay, but I'm wondering if they actually work.
 
troubleonline said:
Thanks - I would definitely have a use for a sleeve to use as you describe. Most of the time it will stay at home so this would be ideal and when I do take out I tend to pop in another bag. Did you have a sleeve with a vertical or horizontal opening?
Click to expand...

Mine has a horizontal opening, as the bag I carry it in has a horizontal orientation. I insert the computer into the sleeve with the hinge side down so that it rests on the thin pad sewed into the bottom edge. If the bag you carry your computer in has a vertical orientation, you'd probably want the sleeve with that orientation.

Below is an image of the sleeve turned inside-out, showing the pad.

Also: Just noticed from your previous post that you would carry your rMB in a horizontal zippered pouch. In that case, you might want to get the vertical orientation suede sleeve, as it would shield the edge of your computer from the zipper.
 

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MyopicPaideia said:
USB-C hub with 3 USB-A 3.0 and 1 Ethernet: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261870590062

$20

No idea if it will be as described but it worth the purchase as an experiment.

Apparently it has USB 3.0 support on its USB-A ports and Ethernet adapter. It also has an LED charging light on the USB-C bit. $20. If it works as intended, brilliant. If not it was worth a try and that's the price of admission for an early adopter, that ai am willing to pay.

Hopefully using this one adapter will result in two things:
  • Allow me to charge and maintain the exact same numbers of ports as my 11" MBA has.
  • Allow me to carry around the exact same number of adapters (two) in my bag as I currently do with my 11" MBA.
Click to expand...

"independent supply provides power supply to connect devices."

Not sure what that fractured English is supposed to mean, but because there is no visible port for an AC adapter power input, I would take a guess that it means it distributes the power available from the Mac's USB-C port to the three USB-A ports. (I have looked at sellers of numerous identical ChenYang and similar models. none have a power input)

Pretty certain this will not be charging your mac.
 
CanadaRAM said:
"independent supply provides power supply to connect devices."

Not sure what that fractured English is supposed to mean, but because there is no visible port for an AC adapter power input, I would take a guess that it means it distributes the power available from the Mac's USB-C port to the three USB-A ports. (I have looked at sellers of numerous identical ChenYang and similar models. none have a power input)

Pretty certain this will not be charging your mac.
Click to expand...

You may very well be right, but then what is the point of having and LED charging indicator? I actually take that broken English to mean that an independent power supply can supply power to connected devices. It also says the independent power supply is sold separately.

As I said, we'll have to wait and see! :)
 
MyopicPaideia said:
You may very well be right, but then what is the point of having and LED charging indicator? I actually take that broken English to mean that an independent power supply can supply power to connected devices. It also says the independent power supply is sold separately.

As I said, we'll have to wait and see! :)
Click to expand...

No, it doesn't say it's sold separately. It says it's "not included". Your rMB supplies power to the USB ports. There's clearly no power input to that hub.
 
tillsbury said:
No, it doesn't say it's sold separately. It says it's "not included". Your rMB supplies power to the USB ports. There's clearly no power input to that hub.
Click to expand...

Hmmm...I actually think the common sense thing here is to count the MB as a device, not the power supply. The whole point of that broken English description, IMHO, was to describe compatibiloty with USB battery packs, a feature common to these types of hubs. You haven't speculated on why an LED charing indicator is on it either?

So, while it is entirely possible, maybe even probable, that you are correct, and like I said I have no great expectations and have gotten this as an experiment, we're just going to have to wait and see!
 
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