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

[gwang73]

Just received the Caldigit TB3 and it's smaller than what I was expecting. I'm happy that I canceled my order for the OWC TB3 dock for this one. It is working flawlessly with my dual monitor setup. I have one 27" Apple Cinema TB connected via USB-C to TB2 adapter and one 27" Apple Cinema DP connected via DisplayPort to Mini-DP adapter and both are running full resolution at 60Hz.

 

[tofagerl]

It does seem like the TS3 is the best choice so far... I think I'll buy one at the end of summer.

 

[EugW]

The Orico 3-port USB 3.0 plus 1-port USBC hub is garbage.

http://www.orico.cc/goods.php?id=6182

It does work, but it does not support USB C charging pass-thru. However that's not why it's garbage. It's garbage because it's really cheap plasticky construction, and the logic board actually moves around in the case, causing difficulty in getting a secure when trying to plug in a USBC device.

Monoprice also has a new USB-C to USB adapter that looks interesting, it gets rid of the cable: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=103&cp_id=10330&cs_id=1033001&p_id=13507&seq=1&format=2

There are a bazillion of these things on Amazon. I bought a pair for Elzo branded aluminum ones for less than US$10.

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Conn...UTF8&qid=1500343629&sr=8-5&keywords=elzo+usbc

Works fine. I just carry one of these around with my MacBook, along with whatever regular USB cable I need.

What I should have gotten though is one that fits on a keychain. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/ESR-Aluminum-Keychain-Resistor-Converts/dp/B0716QQZZH/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1500343709&sr=8-10&keywords=usbc+adapter+keychain&th=1

 

[EugW]

I was pleasantly surprised when I received my eBay USBC to Mini-DisplayPort adapter. Works perfectly with my 2560x1440 Mini-DisplayPort display (which is a 2010 iMac), connected to my 2017 MacBook 12".

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/USB-Type-C-t...USB-C-to-Mini-DP-Converter-Cable/122490351908

It's also is surprisingly well built, and looks exactly like the rendered picture, matching my silver MacBook perfectly:

They also have gold and grey. Not bad for under US$11 shipped.

Note though I have only tried 1440p. I have not tried a 4K display, and specifically, I have not tried 4K 60 Hz.

 

[EugW]

Just received the Caldigit TB3 and it's smaller than what I was expecting. I'm happy that I canceled my order for the OWC TB3 dock for this one. It is working flawlessly with my dual monitor setup. I have one 27" Apple Cinema TB connected via USB-C to TB2 adapter and one 27" Apple Cinema DP connected via DisplayPort to Mini-DP adapter and both are running full resolution at 60Hz.

Do you mean TS3? I can't find a TB3.

 

[gwang73]

Do you mean TS3? I can't find a TB3.

Sorry, yes TS3 from Caldigit.

 

[tofagerl]

Just impossible to find the Caldigit here in Norway, but the Elgato is turning up in stores. I don't really need the eSATA anyway, so I am considering it. Has anyone tried it?
Oh, and is the "The Cat" name meant to be a pun for something...?

 

[funman895]

Don't use solutions like that (cable hooks) because they will break your cables. It is good to see that Apple finally came to their senses and listened to the experts by removing those cable hooks. You simply need to treat it like any other cable: disconnect it from computer and charger, roll it up loosely and store. No rocket science, no stupid hooks that knack the cable and make it difficult to roll the cable.

As long as you don't overwind the cable and stress the cable/collar, the hooks are perfectly fine. However, Apple either wanted to make the charger smaller or were getting a ton of complains from users that overwound theirs and thus dropped it.

 

[zhenya]

The usb-c cable is considerably

As long as you don't overwind the cable and stress the cable/collar, the hooks are perfectly fine. However, Apple either wanted to make the charger smaller or were getting a ton of complains from users that overwound theirs and thus dropped it.

Even the stock Apple usb-c cable is a bit thicker than the old charger cables - and it’s thin for a usb-c cable not to mention a Thunderbolt 3 cable. With the removable cord design the new power brick uses Apple has no control over the cable size. If they’d kept the ears they would not have worked well with the majority of replacement cables and possibly caused damage to either the cable or the brick. So they pretty much had the choice of going with a fixed cable and keeping the ears, or going to a removable cable and losing them. I’d suspect most people prefer the option of replacing the cable/using the power brick to charge other usb devices.

 

[pyrodex]

Just impossible to find the Caldigit here in Norway, but the Elgato is turning up in stores. I don't really need the eSATA anyway, so I am considering it. Has anyone tried it?
Oh, and is the "The Cat" name meant to be a pun for something...?

I have the Elgato now and everything is fine with the exception of dual 4K monitors. I have a pair of Dell P2715q monitors which can be driven perfectly fine via USB-C to DP cables but I can only successfully drive one on the Elgato. They updated their support page after I reached out to them and provided dumps and they apparently NOW have a few monitors that don't work in dual 4K mode listed.

Little pissed about this but I've ordered a Caldigit TS3 to see if that has issues since I want one single cable in the end.

 

[whiteonline]

I have the Elgato now and everything is fine with the exception of dual 4K monitors. I have a pair of Dell P2715q monitors which can be driven perfectly fine via USB-C to DP cables but I can only successfully drive one on the Elgato. They updated their support page after I reached out to them and provided dumps and they apparently NOW have a few monitors that don't work in dual 4K mode listed.

Little pissed about this but I've ordered a Caldigit TS3 to see if that has issues since I want one single cable in the end.

I've noted elsewhere - it seems the implementation of DisplayPort in TB3 can only support two DP streams. Like my UP2414q, the P2715q requires MST for 4K@60Hz, utilizing both streams.

Caldigit TS3 has the same limitation (it is what I'm using).

Basically, we've been bit by early adoption problems on tech that is a bit oversold on capabilities.

 

[pyrodex]

I've noted elsewhere - it seems the implementation of DisplayPort in TB3 can only support two DP streams. Like my UP2414q, the P2715q requires MST for 4K@60Hz, utilizing both streams.

Caldigit TS3 has the same limitation (it is what I'm using).

Basically, we've been bit by early adoption problems on tech that is a bit oversold on capabilities.

Difference is the MST puts my monitor in 4K@30 so it is false advertisement in my opinion. I can't even stabilize two monitors on the Elgato with one at 4k@60 and the other at 4k@30. I am hoping the Caldigit at least gives me that on a single cable.

 

[whiteonline]

Difference is the MST puts my monitor in 4K@30 so it is false advertisement in my opinion. I can't even stabilize two monitors on the Elgato with one at 4k@60 and the other at 4k@30. I am hoping the Caldigit at least gives me that on a single cable.

Gotcha. Are you daisy-chaining your monitors?

 

[zhenya]

Like my UP2414q, the P2715q requires MST for 4K@60Hz, utilizing both streams.

Can you clarify this? The P2715q is capable of 4k/60hz via SST. https://www.engadget.com/2016/11/04/the-best-4k-monitors/

I have one running as such.

 

[whiteonline]

Can you clarify this? The P2715q is capable of 4k/60hz via SST. https://www.engadget.com/2016/11/04/the-best-4k-monitors/

I have one running as such.

You are correct. I misread the info (DP1.2 as MST).

 

[pyrodex]

Gotcha. Are you daisy-chaining your monitors?

No, the Elgato couldn't handle two P2715q monitors with their own connection. I have a USB-C to DP for one and DP to DP cable. No matter what monitor I use the DP to DP cable one doesn't work at all. I can drive the non working one with a USB-C to DP on a spare port on the laptop without issues at 4K@60.

 

[narin]

Looking for a hub that can provide passthrough charging, at least 2 USB A ports, and ability to connect to a 4k display at 60hz (via HDMI, mDP, or USB-C). Most I have found only support up to 30hz, or do not allow for pass through charging and connection to the display at the same time. Ideally this isn't one of those $200+ thunderbolt docks. Does such a device exist? Thanks in advance!

 

[tofagerl]

IMHO, if you want to run dual 4K displays @60hz, having two cables doesn't seem like that ornery a requirement. Of course, I completely agree that if you purchased a product that promised you could do it with one cable, only to find out it doesn't, that's not just false advertisement, but a perfectly valid reason to return that product.

But I can't remember a single TB3 dock which CAN do that...

Edit: Damnit, the TS3 name is really confusing...

 

[pyrodex]

IMHO, if you want to run dual 4K displays @60hz, having two cables doesn't seem like that ornery a requirement. Of course, I completely agree that if you purchased a product that promised you could do it with one cable, only to find out it doesn't, that's not just false advertisement, but a perfectly valid reason to return that product.

But I can't remember a single TB3 dock which CAN do that...

Edit: Damnit, the TS3 name is really confusing...

Every high end Dock should allow for dual 4K@60 monitors running on the dock and a single cable to the laptop. I am not trying to push daisy chained monitors but simply two individual monitor connections with quality cables into the dock and then using the standard laptop USB-C interface to the laptop provided by the vendor.

IMHO Elgato fails in this even though they say they can do dual 4K@60 in their specifications.

 

[Benito]

I have been using my Elgato Thunderbolt 3 dock for the past couple of days setting up my new 2017 MacBook Pro. I am very happy with it so far. It has a nice build quality with an aluminum case. It definitely can charge the 15" MacBook Pro under load. The USB ports work and can charge devices. I'm happy with my purchase so far. I haven't used it at work yet where I have an external monitor to connect to, but I'm not expecting any issues with that since it is only a HD monitor.

 

[mpainesyd]

There is some useful (and disappointing) advice about TB3/USB-c hubs and peripherals here
http://ioblog.suider.com/type-c-personality/
(From another Macrumours thread)

 

[jord22]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XY34GMJ/

I got this verbatim usb-c hub for my MBP 13 nTB 2017 and im suffering the wifi issue. My wifi connection was lost after plugging the hub in and i have to use another ethernet dongle for my internet connection. Apart from the wifi connection, the usb-c hub also interfere my usb wireless mouse connection. My wireless mouse will lag randomly when i plug the receiver into the usb hub. But if i remove the hub and plug the wireless mouse receiver into the belkin usb-c to a adapter, the mouse and wifi works perfectly.

Is there any list of hubs that works perfectly with the MBP 2017?

 

[Ollifi]

I'd like to connect following devices to a TB MBP: 3,5mm audio plug, portable USB3.0 HDD, an iPhone and a DVI display and USB memory stick sometimes. I'd prefer to have only one dock/adapter for all these. Which setup would you recommend?

 

[idbuythatforadollar]

Does anyone know any TB3/USB C to USB C hub?
A USB C to USB C hub with 3-4 ports would be so perfect for me.

 

[gsusser]

Forgive the naive questions. I've read much of the thread and must say I don't follow it all. I just purchased an iMac. I'm looking for a hub with as many USB 3.0 ports as possible to connect to my TB port on my iMac. Generally speaking, does connecting such a hub to a TB port provide any advantage to connecting it to a USB 3.0 port? And what is the recommendation for a hub with up to 10 USB 3.0 connections that would connect to the USB 3.0 port? Thanks.