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Super Sticky Thread for USB-C Docks, Cables and Accessories [MERGED]
- Thread starter Truefan31
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My Air SuperDrive works with my rMB using a cheap USB-A to C adapter, but not through the Minix hub (even when passing through power)
Just FYI; Apple says you shouldn't use it through a hub for some reason. It's not a Minix hub thing.
I believe it depends on the exact model/date of the Superdrive. There is an Apple KB about it.
So I've been doing some digging about USB C adapter safety and have totally confused myself. I understand that if you're using cables for charging there are some that are problematic as they effectively lie about power that they can safely handle, but are there risks when using adapters *not* for charging?
If I buy a USBc-MicroB cable so I can connect an external portable HD to my new MBP, are there risks because of this incorrect resistor or because it's not trying to charge anything, I'm safe? Same with the cheap USBC-USBA adapters to allow SD card readers or thumb drives to be plugged in?
Having just spent $2k on a laptop I'm keen not to fry it, but equally keen not to spend 10% (or more) of the value of the thing just to get working dongles.
I have very simple needs - I just need to transfer photos from an SD card to an External HD and then process them - but in as lightweight way as possible while travelling. How is this suddenly so hard?!
If I buy a USBc-MicroB cable so I can connect an external portable HD to my new MBP, are there risks because of this incorrect resistor or because it's not trying to charge anything, I'm safe? Same with the cheap USBC-USBA adapters to allow SD card readers or thumb drives to be plugged in?
Having just spent $2k on a laptop I'm keen not to fry it, but equally keen not to spend 10% (or more) of the value of the thing just to get working dongles.
I have very simple needs - I just need to transfer photos from an SD card to an External HD and then process them - but in as lightweight way as possible while travelling. How is this suddenly so hard?!
Received the CalDigit dock last week. On their site they claim it's the only dock that supports the usb SuperDrive. When I first plugged in the SuperDrive, it said "USB Accessory Needs Power - Connect Apple USB SuperDrive to a USB port on this Mac." Turns out I had to install a driver. Same for ethernet, which I never use.
Otherwise I am more than happy with the dock. It gives my desk a cleaner look instead of the cable mess due to the Apple digital AV multiport adapter.
Minor drawbacks: I don't like the green led on the front, and would rather have white bundled cabled.
Otherwise I am more than happy with the dock. It gives my desk a cleaner look instead of the cable mess due to the Apple digital AV multiport adapter.
Minor drawbacks: I don't like the green led on the front, and would rather have white bundled cabled.
Agreed. I'm also confused about all this. I don't care abou charching the MBP through any ****ing hub, I have 4 USB-C for that, I just want to plug a simple USB-A flahsdrive and a portable Western digital HDD as I do with any another computer, don't mind using an adapter for USB-C to USB-A, but now I need a 200-300$ Hub to do that??
Don't know if people here make a mountain of a grain of sand, orit's just I'm too stupid to understand.
Anyone find any devices that would connect an Apple 24" display to the new MBP? From what I'm reading, the TB3 to TB2 adapter they sell doesn't support it. The only thing I can find that looks like it covers all the bases is this: http://www.bourgedesign.com/ but it doesn't ship until 2017 :-(
I think I'm just going to pre-order this because other than maybe having a 3rd USB-A port, it has everything I need to connect to the ACD 24", my TV, USB-A devices, and charge. $110 with shipping sucks, but oh well... Thanks Apple!
I think I'm just going to pre-order this because other than maybe having a 3rd USB-A port, it has everything I need to connect to the ACD 24", my TV, USB-A devices, and charge. $110 with shipping sucks, but oh well... Thanks Apple!
I tried researching it, but couldn't find a solid test for such a cable. But perhaps it's best to just get a brand cable?
Belkin: http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F2CU031/
Accell: http://www.accellcables.com/products/usb-c-to-micro-b-usb-3-1-cable (still a brand but cheaper)
In any case, all these tests were about devices that wanted to be charged. Then they ask the cable if they can use a high wattage, and it erroneously says SURE!
However, a USB-C to Micro-B cable have a little harddrive that draws something like 500-900 mA at 5V. Nothing more, it doesn't ask for a high wattage. I don't see any harm in such a cable. In theory, you could connect your external harddrive to a charger, but I assume you're not going to do that.
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The CalDigit dock has displayport. Just add a minidisplayport adapter (http://www.delock.com/produkte/G_65240/merkmale.html) to connect the Cinema Display.
So
After A lot of thinking
I am going with the Aukey USB C to USB type A and HDMI Hub
https://www.amazon.de/Anschluss-Auf...qid=1478279245&sr=8-2&keywords=Aukey+USB+C+4K
And a Transcend USB 3.0 SD Card Reader
https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-mi...278552&sr=1-2&keywords=USB+3.0+SD+Card+reader
I know its not the most ideal solution but
1) Its cheaper than something like an All in one Hub that offers all these solutions like Hootoo Shuttle
2) There is no USB-C Power Pass through, which on these cheap devices kinda scares me, I will have 2 ports on myh Macbook Pro, So I can charge with one, and connect the Aukey USB-C Hub on the other
I know I might not be able to power too many external devices with the Aukey simultaneously, but my use is usually a USB mouse (when video editing) and occasionally the SD card reader (to transfer videos) and External HDD to back up data. This set up should get the job done, hopefully. And it costs me under 35 EURO
After A lot of thinking
I am going with the Aukey USB C to USB type A and HDMI Hub
https://www.amazon.de/Anschluss-Auf...qid=1478279245&sr=8-2&keywords=Aukey+USB+C+4K
And a Transcend USB 3.0 SD Card Reader
https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-mi...278552&sr=1-2&keywords=USB+3.0+SD+Card+reader
I know its not the most ideal solution but
1) Its cheaper than something like an All in one Hub that offers all these solutions like Hootoo Shuttle
2) There is no USB-C Power Pass through, which on these cheap devices kinda scares me, I will have 2 ports on myh Macbook Pro, So I can charge with one, and connect the Aukey USB-C Hub on the other
I know I might not be able to power too many external devices with the Aukey simultaneously, but my use is usually a USB mouse (when video editing) and occasionally the SD card reader (to transfer videos) and External HDD to back up data. This set up should get the job done, hopefully. And it costs me under 35 EURO
Looks legit. Hoping to not have to use 2 hubs/dongles. If I pull the trigger soon on a MBP, it's nice that the CalDigit is available now at least.
Sorry if I missed a post like this but most of the power talk seems centered around a hub's power handling and passthrough capabilities.
Are there third party USB-C to USB-C charge cables that can pass through the entire 87 watts from Apple's charger? The cables I've come across (including monoprice) max out at 3A and 20V for 60W. Thanks
Are there third party USB-C to USB-C charge cables that can pass through the entire 87 watts from Apple's charger? The cables I've come across (including monoprice) max out at 3A and 20V for 60W. Thanks
Hydradock might be better because it already has minidisplayport, but the company behind has serious manufacturing/delivery problems so I wouldn't bet on it. Not much has changed since I first read about it a year ago.
good news for the moment: https://www.engadget.com/2016/11/04/apple-usb-c-adapters-cheaper-macbook-pro-but-not-for-long/
Any reason to buy those adapters from Apple instead 3rd party's ones? Because they are way more expensive.
Has anyone tried those ones in the new MBP? I know they've been posted several times in this thread.
https://www.amazon.es/Aukey-CB-A1-E...&qid=1478367857&sr=8-1&keywords=Aukey+CB-A1-2
And why Apple doesn't have a small USB-C to USB 3.0 adapter like the one on the picture above? Why we have to deal with the one with the cable?
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I bought that same Aukey model and it just came in the mail today, but sadly my new MacBook Pro is not here yet to test. I'll be sure and do some tests and post results as soon as the MacBook gets here. It looks like there are quite a few Amazon reviews from 12" MacBook users saying that Aukey adaptor works well, so I'm fairly confident we will be okay.
Oh great. I'm thinking about getting a couple of those, but since my MBP delivery date is on December... I'll wait for some reviews.
What I'm worried about is if it won't lose speed, I mean for a flashdrive or mouse it's ok, but I wanna be sure it works well with a USB 3.0 harddrive at fast speed.
I'm also looking for an Ethernet adapter, but the one Apple store it's kinda expensive even with the discunt (29€). We'll see if some 3rd party ones gives enough fas connection.
YES, you need CalDigit driver to support SuperDrive and they are the only one selling USB-C dock that can support Apple SuperDrive. That's the whole reason I bought their dock. works for the MacBook Pro TB3 too.
This is the Apple KB which discusses which Apple Superdrives work with the 12" MacBook. I would be surprised if it is different for the newest MacBook Pro. Needs to be made after 2010. Apple say it will work with their USB-C adapter (mine does) so I expect post 2010 models work on other adapters. Don't know if Caldigit's claim that theirs is the only one to work with Superdrives is claiming it about pre 2010 models.
I bought a Dell DA200, which includes HDMI, VGA, Ethernet and one USB 3.0 port (all that I actually need). I actually don't know if it works with the rMBP 15 inch. late 2016 w/ Touch Bar, but I hope it will..
Do you know others USB-C hub like the Dell one? I saw the ones from Minix and HooToo, but they don't have one or more ports that I need and, despite their price, they look like toys
Do you know others USB-C hub like the Dell one? I saw the ones from Minix and HooToo, but they don't have one or more ports that I need and, despite their price, they look like toys
I've had some trouble with the Satechi USB-C hub recognising a HDMI display if you disconnect the hub from the laptop. You plug it back in and it just won't recognise the display without a reboot.
Conversely, the Apple one works perfectly when this happens.
Edit: Scratch that. I've been using both connectors with a Dell screen and have tried them on a 12" MacBook and now a new 13" MBP. The behaviour seems a wee bit erratic on both machines with both the Satechi and the Apple adapters. Sometimes when you remove the adapter and plug it back in, it doesn't recognise the screen at all.
Conversely, the Apple one works perfectly when this happens.
Edit: Scratch that. I've been using both connectors with a Dell screen and have tried them on a 12" MacBook and now a new 13" MBP. The behaviour seems a wee bit erratic on both machines with both the Satechi and the Apple adapters. Sometimes when you remove the adapter and plug it back in, it doesn't recognise the screen at all.
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It looks like a problem with the Dell monitor..
Today I received the Dell DA200 hub adapter, but I can't test it until I'll receive my rMBP 15 inch. w/ Touch Bar late this month. I just hope that all ports will work properly with it, because buy (and bring with the Mac) several different adaptors for each port is quite annoying.. one is enough!
I mentioned this on another thread, but the new MBP has reduced the number of connections I need to use when at home and "docked" with the AV adapter. The Dell has a few USB ports built-in, so it means when I'm working from home I just need to plug in the adapter and my speakers. With my previous MBA and Thunderbolt Display there were three connections from that and the speakers.