Hi all, this is my first post!
I got my first Apple laptop today, a 13-inch 2017 MacBook Pro (https://apple.co/2u33ppv). I’ll be working from home, so need to get compatible peripherals and accessories by the end of this week. I’ve researched a lot online, but can’t find clear answers about which of the accessories will work with the latest MacBook Pro nor which cables and/or adapters to use. I’ve looked through the Macrumours forums, too, and the details about compatibility are overwhelming for this Mac newbie
The big issue is figuring out which devices will work with the two USB-C ports on the Pro, and how to daisy chain the ports to connect all the devices I need. I have a small work desk, so need to keep the laptop on a shorter, side table, and use a good 27-inch external monitor as the sole screen. I’ll also need a webcam, speakers, wireless keyboard and mouse. I have budgeted $800-$900 on all of this, and my focus is to get quality products that will not cause incompatibility issues with the Pro.
I’m listing below my needs and some of the products I’m considering, in hopes of tapping the collective wisdom of the hive mind. Please let me know if you think of alternatives.
Any advice will be appreciated. If there’s already a discussion thread that address any of these issues clearly, please feel free to list it -- apologies for overlooking it.
My Product:
2017 MacBook Pro with 13-inch screen, 8GB RAM, 128 GB hard drive, 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 and 2 Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports. The model number is MPXQ2LL/A: https://apple.co/2u33ppv
Devices I Have: Will these work with the Pro?
a) External speakers: Insignia 2-piece computer speaker system -- http://bit.ly/2BwxWi3
-- I use them only for video meetings. If these won’t work, can you please suggest an alternative?
b) External webcam with mic: I have a Logitech Pro Webcam 960 -- http://bit.ly/1Vg7GMo -- with a USB connector. If this doesn’t work, what’s a good alternative?
Devices I Need to Buy
1. WIRELESS KEYBOARD
$129 Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad -- https://apple.co/2Esq008 -- is there a cheaper alternative?
2. WIRELESS MOUSE
Is the $79 Magic Mouse 2 the best for the Pro? https://apple.co/2o4aa5t
3. MULTIPORT USB HUB/ADAPTER – 2 choices
-- a) $80 Satechi Multi-Port Adapter -- https://www.amazon.com/Satechi-Alum...&keywords=Satechi+Aluminum+Multi-Port+4K+HDMI
It has 4K HDMI (30Hz), Type-C Charging, Gigabit Ethernet, SD/Micro Card Reader, USB 3.0 Ports for 2016/2017 MacBook Pro (I would like to connect the Pro by ethernet cable to my router, which is in another room.)
-- b) $54 Telesport Thunderbolt 3 USB-C HUB Adapter -- http://amzn.to/2Es1UlX
It has multi-port Dock Dongle with 4K HDMI, Type-C Pass Through Charging, Gigabit Ethernet, 2 USB 3.0 Ports for MacBook Pro 2016/2017
4. EXTERNAL MONITOR: Should be at least 27 inches and have HDMI and USB ports. Here are my choices. Some reviews say they work with the latest Pro, while other reviewers note problems. Any thoughts?
-- a) $470 Dell UltraSharp U2715H 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-UltraSharp-27-Inch-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00P0EQD1Q
-- b) $488 Dell U2718Q 27-inch LED Monitor: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Ultrasharp-U2718Q-27-Inch-Monitor/dp/B073VYVX5S
-- c) $525 Dell Ultrasharp UP2716D 27-inch LED monitor: https://www.amazon.com/DELL-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor-UP2716D/dp/B012AQIOL8
-- d) $550 ThinkVision P27u 27" Monitor: http://lnv.gy/2GfSzOI
That’s it! Thanks in advance for all your help.
I got my first Apple laptop today, a 13-inch 2017 MacBook Pro (https://apple.co/2u33ppv). I’ll be working from home, so need to get compatible peripherals and accessories by the end of this week. I’ve researched a lot online, but can’t find clear answers about which of the accessories will work with the latest MacBook Pro nor which cables and/or adapters to use. I’ve looked through the Macrumours forums, too, and the details about compatibility are overwhelming for this Mac newbie
The big issue is figuring out which devices will work with the two USB-C ports on the Pro, and how to daisy chain the ports to connect all the devices I need. I have a small work desk, so need to keep the laptop on a shorter, side table, and use a good 27-inch external monitor as the sole screen. I’ll also need a webcam, speakers, wireless keyboard and mouse. I have budgeted $800-$900 on all of this, and my focus is to get quality products that will not cause incompatibility issues with the Pro.
I’m listing below my needs and some of the products I’m considering, in hopes of tapping the collective wisdom of the hive mind. Please let me know if you think of alternatives.
Any advice will be appreciated. If there’s already a discussion thread that address any of these issues clearly, please feel free to list it -- apologies for overlooking it.
My Product:
2017 MacBook Pro with 13-inch screen, 8GB RAM, 128 GB hard drive, 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 and 2 Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports. The model number is MPXQ2LL/A: https://apple.co/2u33ppv
Devices I Have: Will these work with the Pro?
a) External speakers: Insignia 2-piece computer speaker system -- http://bit.ly/2BwxWi3
-- I use them only for video meetings. If these won’t work, can you please suggest an alternative?
b) External webcam with mic: I have a Logitech Pro Webcam 960 -- http://bit.ly/1Vg7GMo -- with a USB connector. If this doesn’t work, what’s a good alternative?
Devices I Need to Buy
1. WIRELESS KEYBOARD
$129 Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad -- https://apple.co/2Esq008 -- is there a cheaper alternative?
2. WIRELESS MOUSE
Is the $79 Magic Mouse 2 the best for the Pro? https://apple.co/2o4aa5t
3. MULTIPORT USB HUB/ADAPTER – 2 choices
-- a) $80 Satechi Multi-Port Adapter -- https://www.amazon.com/Satechi-Alum...&keywords=Satechi+Aluminum+Multi-Port+4K+HDMI
It has 4K HDMI (30Hz), Type-C Charging, Gigabit Ethernet, SD/Micro Card Reader, USB 3.0 Ports for 2016/2017 MacBook Pro (I would like to connect the Pro by ethernet cable to my router, which is in another room.)
-- b) $54 Telesport Thunderbolt 3 USB-C HUB Adapter -- http://amzn.to/2Es1UlX
It has multi-port Dock Dongle with 4K HDMI, Type-C Pass Through Charging, Gigabit Ethernet, 2 USB 3.0 Ports for MacBook Pro 2016/2017
4. EXTERNAL MONITOR: Should be at least 27 inches and have HDMI and USB ports. Here are my choices. Some reviews say they work with the latest Pro, while other reviewers note problems. Any thoughts?
-- a) $470 Dell UltraSharp U2715H 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-UltraSharp-27-Inch-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00P0EQD1Q
-- b) $488 Dell U2718Q 27-inch LED Monitor: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Ultrasharp-U2718Q-27-Inch-Monitor/dp/B073VYVX5S
-- c) $525 Dell Ultrasharp UP2716D 27-inch LED monitor: https://www.amazon.com/DELL-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor-UP2716D/dp/B012AQIOL8
-- d) $550 ThinkVision P27u 27" Monitor: http://lnv.gy/2GfSzOI
That’s it! Thanks in advance for all your help.