NEED SERIOUS HELP: Does the MacBook Air M1 Work With USB Sticks?

[Wolff Weber]

Thank you for your reply Wolff Weber!

I'm really confused with which USB dongle or USB adapter cable I'll need to buy.

For example, my smartphone uses "microUSB 2.0" and I have a USB adapter cable for this, but this looks completely different to the Macbook Air M1 ports...

Sorry for my silly questions, but there are so many different USB cables and USB adapter cables available... ? ? ?

My Unitek looks exactly like this one from Anker:

USB C Adapter (2 Pack), Anker USB C to USB Adapter High-Speed Data Transfer, USB-C to USB 3.0 Female Adapter for MacBook Pro 2020, iPad Pro 2020, Samsung Notebook 9, Dell XPS and More Type C Devices

USB C Adapter (2 Pack), Anker USB C to USB Adapter High-Speed Data Transfer, USB-C to USB 3.0 Female Adapter for MacBook Pro 2020, iPad Pro 2020, Samsung Notebook 9, Dell XPS and More Type C Devices

www.amazon.co.uk

Also You can buy original Apple dongle, however it is much more expensive:

Apple USB-C to USB Adapter

The USB-C to USB Adapter lets you connect iOS devices and many of your standard USB accessories to a MacBook with USB-C port.*Plug the USB-C end of the adapter into the USB-C port on your MacBook to connect your flash drive, camera, or other standard USB device. You can also connect a USB cable t...

www.amazon.co.uk

If still in doubt, Staff at any Apple store or reseller should be helpful.
In fact, I advise to buy such a thing at Apple store or authorised reseller just in case of any ‚disaster’ like electrical damage to Macbook USB port - a dongle from authorised shop should not void a warranty.

 

[Ray2]

Hey guys,

Sorry to be making a thread about this, but I've never bought a Macbook Air before so I have so many worries!

I've done A LOT of research by myself, however, I haven't found answers to these questions:

What happens if my Macbook Air M1 stops working? I'll be storing all of my personal data on the Macbook Air M1 so I'm VERY worried about me needing to take the Macbook Air M1 to an Apple Store for repairs because then the Apple technicians would have access to all of my data. ? ? ? How likely is it for the inbuilt SSD to die?

How long will the Macbook Air M1 last? I was thinking of getting the 16GB of RAM just so that the inbuilt SSD will last longer?

I've been using my iPad Mini 3 since 2015 and the 64GB storage drive it came with still works perfectly! Can I expect to get this many years of perfect functioning from the SSD that the Macbook Air M1 comes with?

Thank you for any advice!

How are any of your Air concerns any different than with your iPad mini?

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

If I followed things right, you're looking for a USB-C to USB-A adapter, right? Those are typically passive cables which cannot alter data.

Basically, you don't have to worry about USB adapters changing your data unless you're an international woman of mystery with enemies in high places who have the resources to intercept the product shipped to you and substitute something designed to spy on you, or do something Evil to your data.


Unfortunately this is just the way things are. The standards committee responsible for USB has invented a ridiculous number of different connectors over the years, and consumers are left to be confused by it all.

When you look for things which need to plug into a M1 Air, the key phrase is "USB Type C". It's the newest of the USB connector designs, and is intended to hopefully sweep away all the past connectors and simplify down to just one. We'll see if that actually happens.

Thank you for your reply Mr_Roboto!

I'm looking at the Macbook Air M1 now and it says the 2 ports it has are both USB 4? How is USB 4 different to USB-C? From your post, it sounds like the MacBook Air M1 comes with 2 USB-C ports?

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

How are any of your Air concerns any different than with your iPad mini?

My questions are completely different because they're two completely different devices that are used for different purposes...

 

[mr_roboto]

Thank you for your reply Mr_Roboto!

I'm looking at the Macbook Air M1 now and it says the 2 ports it has are both USB 4? How is USB 4 different to USB-C? From your post, it sounds like the MacBook Air M1 comes with 2 USB-C ports?

You've run into another of the myriad ways USB is confusing. USB 4 isn't different to USB Type C; the Macbook has USB 4 ports which use the Type C connector.

 

[Ray2]

My questions are completely different because they're two completely different devices that are used for different purposes...

Then the advice you've received regarding backups is the most important advice you've received. I just sent a 2018 mini into service because one of the thunderbolt/usb ports was shorting out. That required a motherboard replacement. I received my mini back with all data wiped. That happens to be the second motherboard that mini has been through. The first time for a BT module. Both times the ssd came back with only the OS installed. Assume it was a new or repurposed ssd from another repair. Don't know what Apple does with the old components. Perhaps they go to some third world country where children desolder components so they may be used again. As with the Air, the ssd is perhaps the least of your concerns. Daily backups are your insurance. If not having the discipline to run frequent backups is a concern then perhaps looking for a computer with as many discrete components as possible is the way to go.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Thank you for your replies!

I've been thinking long and hard about how I'll be transferring data to and from a MacBook Air M1 and I've realised that more than 90% of my data will be transferred using USB sticks.

Will a MacBook Air M1 still be an ideal laptop for me considering how much I'll be using USB sticks and USB hard drives?

I really want to resolve this worry of mine!

 

[Barbabenno]

I also frequently transfer data with USB sticks and am happy with my MacBook M1 Air. The only hassle is the difference between the old USB connection and the USB-C on the M1. You either need to work with converters from USB to USB--C (or reverse), or have USB-sticks that have both connections. In practice I have found the latter are much easier to work with. See for instance https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HPB22ZM/A/sandisk-ultra-dual-drive-luxe-usb-type-c-flash-drive When using such a drive, there is practically no difference in data transfer when using the M1 or a laptop with the old USB connection.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

I also frequently transfer data with USB sticks and am happy with my MacBook M1 Air. The only hassle is the difference between the old USB connection and the USB-C on the M1. You either need to work with converters from USB to USB--C (or reverse), or have USB-sticks that have both connections. In practice I have found the latter are much easier to work with. See for instance https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HPB22ZM/A/sandisk-ultra-dual-drive-luxe-usb-type-c-flash-drive When using such a drive, there is practically no difference in data transfer when using the M1 or a laptop with the old USB connection.

Thank you for your reply Barbabenno!

I looked at the link you gave, but the problem with these USB sticks is that they won't be able to plug into a USB 2.0 port on a PC???

I'm trying to find more information about how well the MacBook Air M1 handles USB sticks.

Could anyone please share their ideas on this?

It's just so frustrating that Apple have removed regular USB ports... ? ? ?

 

[Mr. Bear]

The SanDisk Extreme 1TB external rugged SSD is only $120 at Best Buy right now. Use one of those.

 

[Krevnik]

I looked at the link you gave, but the problem with these USB sticks is that they won't be able to plug into a USB 2.0 port on a PC???

It has both USB A and C connectors.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

My Unitek looks exactly like this one from Anker:

USB C Adapter (2 Pack), Anker USB C to USB Adapter High-Speed Data Transfer, USB-C to USB 3.0 Female Adapter for MacBook Pro 2020, iPad Pro 2020, Samsung Notebook 9, Dell XPS and More Type C Devices

USB C Adapter (2 Pack), Anker USB C to USB Adapter High-Speed Data Transfer, USB-C to USB 3.0 Female Adapter for MacBook Pro 2020, iPad Pro 2020, Samsung Notebook 9, Dell XPS and More Type C Devices

www.amazon.co.uk

Also You can buy original Apple dongle, however it is much more expensive:

Apple USB-C to USB Adapter

The USB-C to USB Adapter lets you connect iOS devices and many of your standard USB accessories to a MacBook with USB-C port.*Plug the USB-C end of the adapter into the USB-C port on your MacBook to connect your flash drive, camera, or other standard USB device. You can also connect a USB cable t...

www.amazon.co.uk

If still in doubt, Staff at any Apple store or reseller should be helpful.
In fact, I advise to buy such a thing at Apple store or authorised reseller just in case of any ‚disaster’ like electrical damage to Macbook USB port - a dongle from authorised shop should not void a warranty.

Thank you for your reply Wolff Weber!




There are so many USB-C accessories available!

I just want something clear in my mind:
When I want a USB dongle that connects to a USB stick like these ones:
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop...tent-creation/sd-cards-hard-drives/usb-sticks, the correct term is USB-C to USB 2.0???

 

[zarathu]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1662675-REG/kingston_dtmax_512gb_512gb_usb3_2_gen_2.html

900 mb/s transfer rate. $99

 

[parseckadet]

Buy this one:

SanDisk 512GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C Flash Drive

SanDisk 512GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C Flash Drive

www.officeworks.com.au

The key there is that it is both USB-A (the old connector on your old laptop) AND USB-C (the new connector on the MacBook). With this design you plug it in to your old laptop, transfer the data to it, unplug, flip it around, plug in to your new MacBook, transfer the data off. I linked to the 512GB version, but depending on how much data you intend to transfer each time, you may want to choose larger or smaller versions. How much you need is probably going to be a question only you can answer.

 

[DeltaMac]

USB-A is still the most common type of connector, used by USB-1 to USB-3.0
USB-C is the smaller, oval-shaped connector, for USB-C, and now USB-4 (also Thunderbolt 3)
You would be looking for an adapter USB-A to USB-C, which will be correct for what you are asking.
(not trying to throw more confusion at you, but a USB3 device might have a USB-A or USB-C connection
Also, you want to pay attention to male or female connectors, as adapters are available in several combinations of that )

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Buy this one:

SanDisk 512GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C Flash Drive

SanDisk 512GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C Flash Drive

www.officeworks.com.au

The key there is that it is both USB-A (the old connector on your old laptop) AND USB-C (the new connector on the MacBook). With this design you plug it in to your old laptop, transfer the data to it, unplug, flip it around, plug in to your new MacBook, transfer the data off. I linked to the 512GB version, but depending on how much data you intend to transfer each time, you may want to choose larger or smaller versions. How much you need is probably going to be a question only you can answer.

Thank you for your reply Parseckadet!

I'm looking at the product you mentioned now, but it seems to only have a "male port" for USB-C? How could it plug into my old desktop that has USB 2.0??? ? ? ?

 

[DeltaMac]

Thank you for your reply Parseckadet!

I'm looking at the product you mentioned now, but it seems to only have a "male port" for USB-C? How could it plug into my old desktop that has USB 2.0??? ? ? ?

That shows in the pictures. There's two connectors
The drive cover swivels. Picture 2 & 3 shows both ports. Male connectors on both ends; USB-C on one, and USB-A on the opposite.

 

[Adarna]

Hey guys,

Sorry to be making a thread about this, but I've never bought a Macbook Air before so I have so many worries!

I've done A LOT of research by myself, however, I haven't found answers to these questions:

What happens if my Macbook Air M1 stops working? I'll be storing all of my personal data on the Macbook Air M1 so I'm VERY worried about me needing to take the Macbook Air M1 to an Apple Store for repairs because then the Apple technicians would have access to all of my data. ? ? ? How likely is it for the inbuilt SSD to die?

How long will the Macbook Air M1 last? I was thinking of getting the 16GB of RAM just so that the inbuilt SSD will last longer?

I've been using my iPad Mini 3 since 2015 and the 64GB storage drive it came with still works perfectly! Can I expect to get this many years of perfect functioning from the SSD that the Macbook Air M1 comes with?

Thank you for any advice!

Follow the instructions on this link.

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

Automatically back up what's important: Photos, email, music, and more.

support.apple.com

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Buy this one:

SanDisk 512GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C Flash Drive

SanDisk 512GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C Flash Drive

www.officeworks.com.au

The key there is that it is both USB-A (the old connector on your old laptop) AND USB-C (the new connector on the MacBook). With this design you plug it in to your old laptop, transfer the data to it, unplug, flip it around, plug in to your new MacBook, transfer the data off. I linked to the 512GB version, but depending on how much data you intend to transfer each time, you may want to choose larger or smaller versions. How much you need is probably going to be a question only you can answer.

USB-A is still the most common type of connector, used by USB-1 to USB-3.0
USB-C is the smaller, oval-shaped connector, for USB-C, and now USB-4 (also Thunderbolt 3)
You would be looking for an adapter USB-A to USB-C, which will be correct for what you are asking.
(not trying to throw more confusion at you, but a USB3 device might have a USB-A or USB-C connection
Also, you want to pay attention to male or female connectors, as adapters are available in several combinations of that )

Thank you for your replies!

I'm looking at this now and I'm wanting to buy it, but I just wanted to check that this would work with all USB sticks?

Link I'm looking at: https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter

 

[Mr. Bear]

Thank you for your replies!

I'm looking at this now and I'm wanting to buy it, but I just wanted to check that this would work with all USB sticks?

Link I'm looking at: https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter

yes. For the same money you can get a usb-c hub

 

[Wildkraut]

Hey guys,

Sorry to be making a thread about this, but I've never bought a Macbook Air before so I have so many worries!

I've done A LOT of research by myself, however, I haven't found answers to these questions:

What happens if my Macbook Air M1 stops working? I'll be storing all of my personal data on the Macbook Air M1 so I'm VERY worried about me needing to take the Macbook Air M1 to an Apple Store for repairs because then the Apple technicians would have access to all of my data. ? ? ? How likely is it for the inbuilt SSD to die?

How long will the Macbook Air M1 last? I was thinking of getting the 16GB of RAM just so that the inbuilt SSD will last longer?

I've been using my iPad Mini 3 since 2015 and the 64GB storage drive it came with still works perfectly! Can I expect to get this many years of perfect functioning from the SSD that the Macbook Air M1 comes with?

Thank you for any advice!

A 0: Yes, USB sticks works fine, using FAT32 and exFAT filesystem formats here.

A 1:No backups, no mercy! Enable the FileVault disk encryption (per Key/no iCloud) directly after you get it, and you're fine.

A 2: Well, nobody can say this yet, but my 2016 16GBRAM Intel MacBook SSD did last 4.5 years till the day i sold it. I suppose the MacBook Air M1 SSD to last at least the same. Unpredictable issues can always happen.

A 3: Yes, probably same same.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

yes. For the same money you can get a usb-c hub

A 0: Yes, USB sticks works fine, using FAT32 and exFAT filesystem formats here.

A 1:No backups, no mercy! Enable the FileVault disk encryption (per Key/no iCloud) directly after you get it, and you're fine.

A 2: Well, nobody can say this yet, but my 2016 16GBRAM Intel MacBook SSD did last 4.5 years till the day i sold it. I suppose the MacBook Air M1 SSD to last at least the same. Unpredictable issues can always happen.

A 3: Yes, probably same same.

Thank you for your replies!

I don't have much experience with FileVault, but I'm reading about it now.

 

[maternidad]

Hi Beautiful Woman; please remember you may also ask these questions to Apple Store employees in person.