What Connectors Does One Need For The 2020 MacBook Air?

[jparker402]

I currently have a 2015 MacBook Air which has a power port, two USB 2 ports, a Thunderbolt 2 port which I do not use, a SD port which I do not use, and a headphone jack. The 2020 MacBook Air appears to have two Thunderbolt 2 ports and a headphone jack. I am confused about the 2020 set-up (except for the headphone jack). I am guessing that one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports ends up dedicated to power in, if you leave it plugged in almost constantly as I do my old MacBook. That leaves just one Thunderbolt 3 port for everything else? Connection to my printer (wifi doesn't work for that where I live)? Connection to my hard drive backup? Connection for mouse receiver? And USB drives? Does it follow that a big hub is required? Or does whatever chaining Thunderbolt 3 devices somehow eliminate some of that need? I don't know how that works, either. Thanks for any enlightenment!

 

[Erehy Dobon]

While my experience has been with the MacBook Air 2019 model, it has the same port configuration as the 2020 version.

I use this USB-C hub:

Keychron T10 USB-C Hub

Keychron T10 is a USB-C hub with all the ports you need, including 4K HDMI output, PD fast charging can charge your MacBook, iPad Pro, and Chromebook, etc, RJ45 Ethernet port, USB 3.0 ports, and SD card slots.

www.keychron.com

It has four (4) USB 3.0 Type-A slots, two card slots, one 100Mbps Ethernet port, VGA, and HDMI port that supports up to 4K @ 30Hz and provides 100W power passthrough.

That leaves the MBA's second Thunderbolt 3 port open.

This hub also works great with my Acer Swift 3 notebook PC as well although the Acer is less needy of this hub since it has a more useful selection of built-in ports (HDMI, one USB 3.0 Type-A, one USB 2.0 Type-A, and a dedicated pin-type power connector in addition to the single Thunderbolt 3 port).

There are similar units available at the regular online retailers like Amazon, NewEgg, whatever. Some are more expensive, some are cheaper. However very few hubs at this price point offer four USB 3.0 ports. The build quality of the Keychron T1 is pretty good: aluminum enclosure instead of cheap plastic.

The Keychron T1 replaced a cheaper and less capable dodocool USB-C hub (which has been exiled to some plastic bin in a closet).