Super Sticky Thread for USB-C Docks, Cables and Accessories [MERGED]

[va1984]

Have you thought about simply selling that display and get a new one that has USB-C built in, like this one?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B64O3M4/

Yes, in fact I tried several USB-C monitors, such as the LG 27" and the HP Envy 23.8", which is a cheap but functional 1080p USB monitor.
In fact, I keep a little list of all the USB-c monitors I see on the market and so far I have more than a dozen listed. I like them enough, but for various reasons on my bedroom desk I want to stick to the ATD/ACD. I'm well aware that they are no longer the best monitors around, but they are what I want for that particular corner.

 

[tofagerl]

I've been checking out the options, and it looks like the OWC dock is estimating current orders will be shipped in late April - which seems a little weird as they still list them as "preorders", but not impossible. (https://eshop.macsales.com/preorder/owc-thunderbolt-3-dock/)
The Belkin dock (http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F4U095/) is due to launch mid-May, which sounds about right, and the Caldigit TS3 (non-lite)(http://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-3-dock/), the Henge Tethered (TB3-version)(https://hengedocks.com/products/tethered-dock) and the Elgato (https://www.elgato.com/ar/thunderbolt-3-dock) still do not have a date.

Which one are you leaning towards? I have to say the Elgato was my favorite, but if Belkin end up launching first, I'll get that (pending reviews).

 

[peapody]

That looks perfect. If it had a 85w charger already included it would be everything I'm looking for except an ethernet port, but even as is it's got a great bang for buck score...

Let me know if you have any problems!

It is actually working really well right now and handling everything I throw at it. I am glad I got a dock with an inline USB connection as it is making it 'easier' to work with my MacBook on my lap - less cumbersome.

 

[tofagerl]

Assumption: If I get a USB-C to HDMI adapter, that uses a graphics chip in the adapter itself, and so the screen is slow, but if I use a proper Thunderbolt 3 to HDMI adapter, such as the official Apple one, that uses the internal graphics card, so the screen is fast...

Is that right?

Cause since these docks are taking so long, I might have to get two adapters for work, and they will never buy me the official ones due to price... Are there cheap TB3 ones if my assumption is correct?

 

[BeatCrazy]

If you're looking for some of the (very good) J5Create JUCX01 USB-C to USB-C cables, check if your local Office Depot is closing. Mine is, and had these for $12.59, half the normal price you get via Amazon. I already have/use one daily, and picked up 4 more yesterday.

http://www.j5create.com/our-products/usb-type-c-cables/jucx01.html

 

[mpainesyd]

On another thread I have raised the issue of usb-c hubs - that is, is hub that allows several usb-c peripherals to be connected to a Macbook, as well as the charging cable. Belkin have just released a dock with 2 usb-c inputs but there doesn't seem to be any with more inputs (maybe it is a limitation of usb-c?)
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ort-portable-ssd.2040571/page-3#post-24536175

 

[tofagerl]

Not a limitation, I've seen 4-port hubs.

 

[mpainesyd]

Not a limitation, I've seen 4-port hubs.

Can you suggest some - I haven't found any.

I wanted to transfer files from a USB2 memory stick to a USB-c SSD drive via my Macbook and so tried using an Apple HMDI adapter (which has USB3 & USB-c ports). However the Macbook didn't mount the SSD drive plugged into the USB-c port of the adapter. I guess that port is only for charging

I realise this is a limitation of the Macbook due to the single USB-c port but was hoping an adapter would make up for it.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Can you suggest some - I haven't found any.

I wanted to transfer files from a USB2 memory stick to a USB-c SSD drive via my Macbook and so tried using an Apple HMDI adapter (which has USB3 & USB-c ports). However the Macbook didn't mount the SSD drive plugged into the USB-c port of the adapter. I guess that port is only for charging

I realise this is a limitation of the Macbook due to the single USB-c port but was hoping an adapter would make up for it.

Yes the USB-C port on the Apple adapter is pass-through charging. You would need a hub with more ports and and an adapter. I think only the big and expensive OWC and Caldigit hubs have separate ports for USB-C data.

But beware that once you have sorted the connectivity issues, moving data between drives connected to a single USB-C port is flaky. Depends what you are trying to do and power requirements of the drives. See these two threads:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-the-ones-online.1978452/page-2#post-24362291

and

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/two-external-usb-drives.2020631/#post-24365475

 

[tofagerl]

Can you suggest some - I haven't found any.

Apparently Murphy caught up with this thread, cause now I can't find a single one.

 

[mpainesyd]

Apparently Murphy caught up with this thread, cause now I can't find a single one.

Just tried a Belkin hub and it does not support pass-through charging for the Macbook. It has 2 usb-c ports but this is of little use if it doesn't charge the Macbook during external disk (SSD) usage. Grrr!

 

[mpainesyd]

This Kickstarter project for a USB-C hub has failed due to a lack of suitable chips:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nonda/get-your-macbook-ports-back/posts/1341145
I found it from this discussion:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/29274501#29274501

 

[bartvk]

This Kickstarter project for a USB-C hub has failed due to a lack of suitable chips:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nonda/get-your-macbook-ports-back/posts/1341145
I found it from this discussion:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/29274501#29274501

That was in October 2015, right? Still interesting though.

 

[mpainesyd]

That was in October 2015, right? Still interesting though.

Just received a Kadi Port for Macbook:
https://kadicreative.com/products/the-kadi-port
(this was a successful Kickstarter project)
It will charge the Macbook (contrary to advice on their website) and the second USB-C port will allow me to mount a Samsung SSD with USB-C. It also has a conventional USB2 port and HDMI, which are useful. However the SSD will not mount via the USB2 (not enough power?).

The rigid attachment to the Macbook is not the best design - I wish they had used a short USB-C cable but I guess it was intended to be as compact as possible.

This product is on clearance ("limited stock") and is not designed for the new Macbook Pro but it is heading in the right direction!

 

[youbzh]

Hi, just wanted to post a review about Plugable UD-CA1 docking station. I got this station for a 2015 retina MB (12"). I ordered it along with a 2-meter Thunderbolt 3 cable.

At first, I wasn't able to make it work with the 2 meter cable: the HDMI video signal wasn't consistent and I could only use it with the provided 1 meter cable. Tech support from Plugable tried to help but they couldn't do anything about it.

I ended up trying to update to Sierra (from El Capitan), and that solved my problem. I also got an Amazon Basics USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 2-meter cable which worked properly for half the price of a TB3 cable.

So I can now plug just one cable to:
• charge the MB
• get Gigabit Ethernet
• output audio to my amp
• output video to my projector
• connect my USB HDD and printer

Everything works flawlessly with a 2 meter cable (I wish there were longer cables out there but none of the 3 meter cables are certified and there might be signal issues).

 

[EugW]

12" MacBook 2017 (MacBook10,1) Core m3-7Y32 here:

Plugable USBC-HDMI dongle does NOT work. (It is confirmed to work with 2015 and 2016 MacBook according to their product description.)

CableCreation CD0007 USBC to VGA dongle works perfectly.

 

[EugW]

12" MacBook 2017 (MacBook10,1) Core m3-7Y32 here:

Plugable USBC-HDMI dongle does NOT work. (It is confirmed to work with 2015 and 2016 MacBook according to their product description.)

I just heard back from Plugable. They've recently discovered that cable doesn't work with the 2017 MacBook Pro or 2017 iMac either. Back it goes.

They state their USBC-HDMI cable works fine though. The link they gave me is for their US Amazon store:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0727QQLV2/

 

[waigx]

@EugW Not sure if this is relevant. It seems that the Acer USB-C display does not work for all 2017 Macs. according to the last Amazon review. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B64O3M4

 

[EugW]

@EugW Not sure if this is relevant. It seems that the Acer USB-C display does not work for all 2017 Macs. according to the last Amazon review. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B64O3M4

Arrggh. Trial and error dongle life.

 

[Boardiesboi]

Bought the 2017 13" MacBook Pro earlier this month and looking for docks/adapters.

Are the HyperDrive and Satechi USB-C/USB-A/HDMI/SD card adapter essentially the same?

Has anyone used both and can comment on which one is better?

 

[bartvk]

Are the HyperDrive and Satechi USB-C/USB-A/HDMI/SD card adapter essentially the same?

Has anyone used both and can comment on which one is better?

I have used the HyperDrive, not the Satechi. However, I have used another Satechi hub, what they call the Aluminum Type-C Slim Multiport Adapter. A lot of Satechi stuff is milled from a single block of aluminum, which makes it feel robust and sturdy. The HyperDrive on the other hand, feels a bit flimsy. It's technically sound, though.

Technically, I bet they're really the same. These hubs all use the Via Labs VL812 USB 3.0 chipset, but I could be wrong though. Anyway, based on build quality, if I had to choose between the two, I think I'd pick the Satechi product.

 

[pyrodex]

So I just got an Elgato Thunderbolt 3 dock the other day for work and I have some impressions and information I want to share.

I have two Dell P2715Q monitors (4K @ 60Hz) and was driving these on my 2016 15" Touchbar MBP via USB-C to DisplayPort cables from Startech without issues. When I got the Elgato I was able to use one of the existing USB-C cables on the monitors without issues and got full 4K @ 60Hz however on the other monitor when I switched to a pure DisplayPort cable I was getting a black screen or flickering every so often but MacOS was able to identify the monitor just fine. No matter which monitor I tried the issue carried with the pure DisplayPort cable monitor so I know it wasn't the monitors. These Dells also have a mDP port and came with a mDP to DP cable which I tried on both with no luck as well. The Dells also have a feature called MST which allows one monitor to drive two monitors via a single cable to the device and then a DP cable between them to carry the signal. On the second monitor in MST it puts the DP port to 1.1 therefore only allowing 4K @ 30Hz MAX. So I kept one dell attached with the USB-C to DP cable and the MST mode off making it 4K @ 60Hz and then enabled MST in Secondary mode therefore turning the monitoring into DP 1.1 and the signal came online with either DP to DP or mDP to DP cables.

Everything else on the dock worked fine such as ethernet, USB, audio, FULL 85-87W charging, etc. but I have this nagging display issue.

According to Elgato's documentation it is capable of dual 4K @ 60Hz so I've spoken to support last night and they have escalated to development for investigation.

Just an FYI if anyone is considering this dock.

 

[Boardiesboi]

Anyway, based on build quality, if I had to choose between the two, I think I'd pick the Satechi product.

Thanks for the review mate!

On another note, the USB C charging cable that came with my 2017 13 MBP is already playing up.

I tried all 4 ports and it just wouldn't charge. Or the charging chime would come on but the charging symbol would disappear in 2 seconds. Reversed the ends of the cable and it didn't make any difference.

Tried a non Apple cable and it was fine (so nothing to do with the charging brick or wall socket).

Are USB C cables known to be unreliable/prone to breakdown? It's only been 3 weeks!

 

[EugW]

Anyone tried any of the Monoprice USBC dongles with the 2017 iMac/MBP/MB?

 

[pyrodex]

So I just got an Elgato Thunderbolt 3 dock the other day for work and I have some impressions and information I want to share.

I have two Dell P2715Q monitors (4K @ 60Hz) and was driving these on my 2016 15" Touchbar MBP via USB-C to DisplayPort cables from Startech without issues. When I got the Elgato I was able to use one of the existing USB-C cables on the monitors without issues and got full 4K @ 60Hz however on the other monitor when I switched to a pure DisplayPort cable I was getting a black screen or flickering every so often but MacOS was able to identify the monitor just fine. No matter which monitor I tried the issue carried with the pure DisplayPort cable monitor so I know it wasn't the monitors. These Dells also have a mDP port and came with a mDP to DP cable which I tried on both with no luck as well. The Dells also have a feature called MST which allows one monitor to drive two monitors via a single cable to the device and then a DP cable between them to carry the signal. On the second monitor in MST it puts the DP port to 1.1 therefore only allowing 4K @ 30Hz MAX. So I kept one dell attached with the USB-C to DP cable and the MST mode off making it 4K @ 60Hz and then enabled MST in Secondary mode therefore turning the monitoring into DP 1.1 and the signal came online with either DP to DP or mDP to DP cables.

Everything else on the dock worked fine such as ethernet, USB, audio, FULL 85-87W charging, etc. but I have this nagging display issue.

According to Elgato's documentation it is capable of dual 4K @ 60Hz so I've spoken to support last night and they have escalated to development for investigation.

Just an FYI if anyone is considering this dock.

This Elgato dock seems to be getting worse and worse. Now my DP1.1 workaround isn't working anymore, the monitor is detected but I get ZERO display now. Support has escalated but it is taking time so I've ordered a Caldigit TS3 station in hopes it comes so now I am single Monitor with the ethernet and charging functions.