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I regret getting a Mac
- Thread starter iHorseHead
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I've been computing since about 1988 (8 bit micros, Windows, Linux, BSD, MacOS ....)
I have noticed how Apple's ecosystem has become less and less "it just work" and basic bugs have been allowed to pass - two examples illustrate this: the butterfly keyboard, an OS update breaking basic postscript (vanilla) printing.
This is a change in culture and attitude at Apple. They are not short of money to invest in testing and QA if they wanted to. They are one of the wealthiest organisations on the planet. They don't want to do QA and testing.
Is it so much to expect Apple to test OS updates on a bunch of common USB use cases as part of their release process? If I was Apple, no update would go out without basic testing on the kit listed on the Apple Store at the very minimum. If that cost $100,000 to do, that's a tiny fraction of their working budgets. Heck that's about 2 employees per annum. And not doing it hurts thousands if not millions of users.
I have noticed how Apple's ecosystem has become less and less "it just work" and basic bugs have been allowed to pass - two examples illustrate this: the butterfly keyboard, an OS update breaking basic postscript (vanilla) printing.
This is a change in culture and attitude at Apple. They are not short of money to invest in testing and QA if they wanted to. They are one of the wealthiest organisations on the planet. They don't want to do QA and testing.
Is it so much to expect Apple to test OS updates on a bunch of common USB use cases as part of their release process? If I was Apple, no update would go out without basic testing on the kit listed on the Apple Store at the very minimum. If that cost $100,000 to do, that's a tiny fraction of their working budgets. Heck that's about 2 employees per annum. And not doing it hurts thousands if not millions of users.
To summarize:
1) Go back to Big Sur
2) Don’t use low-end hubs/adaptors
3) Wait to update your OS
4) The MBA doesn’t natively support 3 displays
I get you are using a workaround to get those 3 displays, but this isn’t natively supported via apple. So you can’t really blame them if your unsupported method stops working properly.
1) Go back to Big Sur
2) Don’t use low-end hubs/adaptors
3) Wait to update your OS
4) The MBA doesn’t natively support 3 displays
I get you are using a workaround to get those 3 displays, but this isn’t natively supported via apple. So you can’t really blame them if your unsupported method stops working properly.
To be fair, they rolled back that keyboard a bit ago and They actually listened to customer feedback and gave users what they wanted with the MBP. Your printing issue seems like a niche bug - and it’s not like “old apple” didn’t have their share of small bugs too. Apple is also massively bigger than they were a decade ago. No matter how much money you have, you can’t avoid issues.
Let’s also remember that Apple is doing an unprecedented silicon transition during a global pandemic and supply chain shortage.
I use this Dell Docking Station and the other one was Dell as well, but I didn't look up the model.Just my two cents from a quick Google search but it seems like this is a known issue with “green cell” whoever they are. From their webpage “
For this device: https://greencell.global/en/hub-usb...pro-dell-xps-lenovo-x1-carbon-and-others.html
- The adapter works with any laptop equipped with USB-C, including: Apple MacBook 12 / Pro 13 / Pro 15 (for M-series processors, macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 to 11.6.1 version required), Dell XPS , Surface, Asus ZenBook “
OP, I didn’t see a link to which docking station you got, but confirming that might help us help you? It also appears they’re a Euro brand, or their website defaults to euros at least.
FWIW I upgraded from a ‘13 MBP to this M1 and I couldn’t be happier. Sadly I don’t have many usb c peripherals but so far I haven’t needed to plug anything in that I don’t have a cord for. I ordered on indiegogo a usb c hub that looked nice from a company that has a track Record I know (totally blanking on the name right now and I’m phone posting so I don’t have it handy). Due to arrive in February and their other devices I’ve seen had M1 support. I shopped around on Amazon before seeing an ad for the campaign on Instagram and going with them. Sadly it sounds like you bought an incompatible device, and I would use the way back machine to see if they declared the issue with M1 on their website before you bought. If not, you seem to have grounds for a full refund. I’d check out the other linked docks above, they seem to be well spoken of if you can’t wait.
Okay so i went and found the campaign because I hate not being thorough. link (10% back for me if you buy through it, full disclosure)
Kickbooster
duopro.kckb.st
And here’s the link to the actual campaign:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hyperdrive-usb-c-hub-for-macbook-pro-2016-2021/x/28199303#/
Hope this helps!
The very same Docking Station worked on Big Sur. It works well on Windows 10.
Funnily enough, when I reinstalled the drivers yesterday it worked perfectly and after I restarted my MacBook it ceased to work. The displays work, the USB devices do not.
I'll downgrade to Big Sur and will let you know if it still works on Big Sur, but then there's also a possibility that maybe something happened to the OS and it needs to be reinstalled? I've read such instances on this forum ( I couldn't find it anymore, but I swear someone on this forum said that they reinstalled macOS12 and now their docking station is working).
macOS Monterey Users Report Connectivity Issues With USB Hubs
I don't mean to be rude or anything, but I've said it so many times that it worked on Big Sur and the thing is none of the GreenCell USB hubs I bought are working either.
I've also tried one and two. Still facing the same issue.
Just because it worked on Big Sur doesn’t make it Apples fault. Apple is only responsible for their own hardware and software, not GreenCell or Dell.
1) That's why I'm so disappointed. I waited for a fix after I read this: macOS Monterey Users Report Connectivity Issues With USB Hubs. I've asked helped before but no one helped me nor replied.
2) I will on Saturday and will let you know.
Sir, I know I could Google, but if you have those tabs open could you please post the links? If not then no need to bother.
Thanks for the tip.
But how come two external displays are working? The issue persists even if I have one external display connected.
What’s your point? It’s an issue with 3rd party hardware that’s not certified.
“Had a call with Apple support and they said to try an Apple certified hub. I used this one I had floating around in my bag and both the HDMI and USB3 ports worked on it.”
You have a Bluetooth keyboard! That's awesome. My displays are working too, but not the keyboard and mouse. Mac's charging too.
Do you have any information if they also fry PCs USB ports? Because I've been using one of those on my company's laptop and I have enough stress in my life already…
So, you throw money at an issue, but don't understand the problem, nor the solution, and now you are good?
I think several people are confused because it seems a lot of people are reading you using hub/docking station/dongle interchangeably in reference to all these devices you've tried. I've gone back over the past four pages trying to see which one is your main complaint and I still can't decide if it's the dell you link or the greencell.
As for the greencell, the page for this device says (for M-series processors, macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 to 11.6.1 version required), as I mentioned before, but i'm still not sure if that's the greencell device you're talking about.
It sounds like you're frustrated that equipment that previously worked no longer works, whether it was software or hardward incompatibilities. Honestly even if you do assign Apple blame, I hardly see how they are the sole bearer of it. Hate to sound like a simp for Apple but still. Again, only going off the two devices you semi-mentioned, both pages explicitly state the hardware you have isn't guaranteed to be supported. (see below)
Buying things because they're cheap while cost effective often leads to more headaches than it's worth. I'd check compatibility with your known devices instead of getting lured by a good deal.
You've mentioned docking station and hubs (plural) so we're all not sure if they're the same or different ones. Links to specific ones for any troubleshooting would be helpful for anyone who has specific hardware experience. Personally I'm knew to all this USB C stuff, but i know with all the common ports, it's actually lead to a lot of confusion because cables and supported protocols are all over the place, in both Mac and Windows systems. The problem with a universal standard is that it can't do everything for everyone all the time.
That dell docking station's manual here found via this page lists very specific resolutions/refresh rate combos that are compatible. That could be one issue here, as you might be trying to push too many pixels. Triple displays specifically here are listed as " 3840 x 2160 / 30Hz 2048 x 1152 / 60Hz 2048 x 1152 / 60Hz" for DP HDMI 1 and HDMI 2 respectively on page 3. Settings other than this may overload it. as well the minimum hardware requirements on page 5 are
So while it worked with Mac before, it is in no way guaranteed to.
The user guide is from 2017, so there's no telling what's changed in 4 years.
Hopefully if it was working in an acceptable state and you can restore it to that state this weekend, your problems will be solved. As for Apple releasing an update that then makes something incompatible, again I argue the other manufacturer is just as much at fault as Apple. Designing for every use case and instance-- I can't even begin to imagine how hard it is. And maintaining backwards compatibility for everything inevitably either limits progress or drives up price. There are always trade offs to everything.
Again, understand why you're upset, but coming here without specifics and bringing in other anecdotes with situations that might not exactly fit yours doesn't help anyone help you. Granted, many posters don't seem to be behaving in the spirit of wanting to help, but in their defense it sometimes also seems like all their previous advice has been ignored.
Basically a lot of people in the forum are going to come back to generally agreeing with this quote from above:
Anyway, hopefully the roll back works OP
I don't see how Apple is responsible for maintaining backwards compatibility with drivers for 3rd party peripherals.
It sounds like the manufacturer of your Dock has not tested sufficiently on the latest MacOS version.
Apple's responsibility is to provide detailed release notes for their OS upgrades (including changes to APIs, and driver compatibility). Manufacturers then need to update their software / devices to to ensure compatibility with the new OS release.
Unless Apple guarantees "backward compatibility" with all devices that ran on Big Sur (which I doubt they can), then it is not "their fault".
Personally, I never upgrade my OS until the dust settles on such issues, and I read reports that my software and external devices are supported.
If you want to be an early-adopter, I recommend purchasing a second machine on which to test upgrades before applying them to your "production" hardware. This is how things are done in the software development world. If you can't do this kind of testing (e.g. don't want to maintain multiple machines), then always have a roll-back plan, such as creating a backup image, before applying any changes.
Apple says your device supports one external monitor. You find some DIY solution using 3rd party equipment to get 3 external monitors to work. You update your apple hardware and the DIY solution fails.
It sucks but I don’t see why anyone should be at fault here. You tried to get more out of your machine than what it is officially capable of. What do you expect to hear in this forum?
It sucks but I don’t see why anyone should be at fault here. You tried to get more out of your machine than what it is officially capable of. What do you expect to hear in this forum?
As far as we could work out it was shorting between the 2 usb c ports. We ordered 2 dell usb c docks for them to go with the repaired macs and they are working fine.
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