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

[EugW]

Got one of these. It works perfectly with my 2017 MacBook.

Anble USB Type C to HDMI 4K, 2-Port USB3.0, Card Reader, USB C Power and Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (Silver)

• 
  
  
  • Compatible with latest Apple MacBook Pro 2016 all models and New MacBook 12in. HP Pavilion x2 , DELL Venue Pro , Lenovo YOGA 900S , Chromebook Pixel,Gigabyte computer; INSTANT EXPANSION: USB Type-C charging port, HDMI Port, 2 x USB 3.0 Ports, SD TF Card, Gigabit Ethernet
  • DRIVER-FREE INSTALLATION with no external software drivers required for Windows; Mac OS may require a driver download for the Ethernet function
  • 4K HDMI VIDEO + ETHERNET+ USB 3.0 ports on the adapter connect the latest to legacy equipment; Supports 4K UHD (3840x2160 @ 30Hz) over HDMI and Gigabit Ethernet network connectivity for a Wi-Fi alternative; A USB 3.0 port connects a flash drive, mouse, or a smartphone to sync files to a computer
  • USB 3.0 PORTS: Allow you to connect keyboard, mouse, thumb drive to laptop, and access files from an SD TF card reader
  • DRIVER-FREE INSTALLATION with no external software drivers required for Windows; Mac OS may require a driver download for the Ethernet function

I've tried USB, Gigabit Ethernet, SD Card, and HDMI 1080p60 and it all works fine. Also, it will accept a USB-C charger, to charge the MacBook. (The USB-C port doesn't work for USB-C peripherals, just for power input.) I haven't tried 4K, but apparently it only supports 30 Hz, not 60 Hz, but that's OK at this CAD$75/79 price (depending upon the colour). It's a third party reseller but fulfilled by Amazon and with free shipping.

The only problem is that for some reason the US pricing is crazy high. The CAD$75 or CAD$79 in Canada corresponds to US$59.40 or US$62.55, but Amazon.com in the US only has it from third party sellers for minimum $138, or over twice as much. OTOH, there are many ones with the identical form factor for about $64-70, just with different branding, so perhaps they are the same.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...C+Power+and+Gigabit+Ethernet+Adapter+(Silver)

 

[ikir]

I posted here my 2 USB-C hub reviews: Satechi ST-TCMAM and Egolggo GN28K
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-usb-c-hubs-i’ve-tried-satechi-and-egolggo.2064275/

Thanks for a very interesting thread too!!!

 

[EugW]

Got one of these. It works perfectly with my 2017 MacBook.

Anble USB Type C to HDMI 4K, 2-Port USB3.0, Card Reader, USB C Power and Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (Silver)

• 
  
  
  • Compatible with latest Apple MacBook Pro 2016 all models and New MacBook 12in. HP Pavilion x2 , DELL Venue Pro , Lenovo YOGA 900S , Chromebook Pixel,Gigabyte computer; INSTANT EXPANSION: USB Type-C charging port, HDMI Port, 2 x USB 3.0 Ports, SD TF Card, Gigabit Ethernet
  • DRIVER-FREE INSTALLATION with no external software drivers required for Windows; Mac OS may require a driver download for the Ethernet function
  • 4K HDMI VIDEO + ETHERNET+ USB 3.0 ports on the adapter connect the latest to legacy equipment; Supports 4K UHD (3840x2160 @ 30Hz) over HDMI and Gigabit Ethernet network connectivity for a Wi-Fi alternative; A USB 3.0 port connects a flash drive, mouse, or a smartphone to sync files to a computer
  • USB 3.0 PORTS: Allow you to connect keyboard, mouse, thumb drive to laptop, and access files from an SD TF card reader
  • DRIVER-FREE INSTALLATION with no external software drivers required for Windows; Mac OS may require a driver download for the Ethernet function

I've tried USB, Gigabit Ethernet, SD Card, and HDMI 1080p60 and it all works fine. Also, it will accept a USB-C charger, to charge the MacBook. (The USB-C port doesn't work for USB-C peripherals, just for power input.) I haven't tried 4K, but apparently it only supports 30 Hz, not 60 Hz, but that's OK at this CAD$75/79 price (depending upon the colour). It's a third party reseller but fulfilled by Amazon and with free shipping.

The only problem is that for some reason the US pricing is crazy high. The CAD$75 or CAD$79 in Canada corresponds to US$59.40 or US$62.55, but Amazon.com in the US only has it from third party sellers for minimum $138, or over twice as much. OTOH, there are many ones with the identical form factor for about $64-70, just with different branding, so perhaps they are the same.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=electronics&field-keywords=USB+Type+C+to+HDMI+4K,+2-Port+USB3.0,+Card+Reader,+USB+C+Power+and+Gigabit+Ethernet+Adapter+(Silver)

Here's my Amazon review:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/customer-r...f=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B071CM5CTG

 

[ice29]

you can get lots of these hubs on aliexpress, for good prices with free shipping (or similar chinese shop)
e.g. the same as Anble
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/CY-...lgo_pvid=f8df64e6-bfb0-4396-abec-c18369a9524d

or something like this
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/dod...lgo_pvid=f8df64e6-bfb0-4396-abec-c18369a9524d

I use similar ones and they are okay, but like with all others, no 4k@60hz, but at least it's pretty cheap I have also bought lots of those small metal USB-C to USB3 adapters, they are 1$ each, cables, card readers etc. Basically happy with everything there, even USB-C charging cable (in grey color to match space-grey of MBP) works flawlessly, and is much less stiff than the apple one.
Almost all the adapters and cables you see in normal EU/US e-shops are just rebrands of the same you get at aliexpress directly from the manufacturers or local chinese resellers, so if you don't need TB3, only plain USB-C, shopping over there makes the dongle-hell a lot less expensive.

 

[HaddockW]

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).

Anybody get this working on a 2016/2017 15" Touchbar? These are going for $20 brand new on eBay. I just won one in an auction. Should be getting it any day now. For $20, why not.

 

[TheAppleFairy]

Anybody get this working on a 2016/2017 15" Touchbar? These are going for $20 brand new on eBay. I just won one in an auction. Should be getting it any day now. For $20, why not.

If it works, you can't beat $20. I've been using the QacQoc GN28K, it's small portable but I don't think you will find one for $20.

 

[zeebo1]

What's the recommended cable for the Dell p2415q (displayport to usb-c) ?

 

[HaddockW]

If it works, you can't beat $20. I've been using the QacQoc GN28K, it's small portable but I don't think you will find one for $20.

Well. I got it. Only works if I use the 87W Apple Charger on another port. Any other charger. E.G. 60w or by itself, doesn’t work. There isn’t enough power so it keeps going in and out . Still a good deal as I got a cable with it and I can probably use it with other devices. I just wanted a single cable solution for a client location I work at.

 

[tofagerl]

Re: charging. Work is looking at some new displays from Lenovo https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Displa...inkVision-P27h-10-daisy-chaining/td-p/3813286
I am told they will charge with 42.5wh, which is a bit below half of what the Macbook Pro 15" charger gives today.
Is there anyone here who get about that ratio of power to their laptop today? How does it work? I hardly ever need to use my computer without a cable, so it doesn't really matter if the charge goes a bit up and down over the day, but if the battery actually suffers from it, then I won't even consider it in the long run, since when I actually do need to use the battery, I tend to need every scrap of power it has.

 

[coreyk]

What's the recommended cable for the Dell p2415q (displayport to usb-c) ?

I use this adapter for the p2415q with USB-C to DisplayPort for my late 2016 MBP. No problems, outputs 4K at 60hz.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0157RVTDW/

And I ordered this DisplayPort cable to use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005H3Q59U/

 

[Jayjew]

Looking for key protectors for MacBook Pro, any suggestions? (To prevent screen contact)

 

[Macinthelou]

I recently purchased the OWC TB3 dock (https://www.owcdigital.com/products/thunderbolt-3-dock#tech-specs) but I am having issues connecting dual displays (Dell U2412M x2) with my 2017 MBP. The 1st display a USB-C->DP connection is working just fine...however, the 2nd display with a mDP->DP connection is not working properly...at first, I could get both displays to connect, but then the 2nd one started blinking and then went black...now I can't get it to display at all...any ideas what's going on?

Thanks!

 

[zeebo1]

I use this adapter for the p2415q with USB-C to DisplayPort for my late 2016 MBP. No problems, outputs 4K at 60hz.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0157RVTDW/

And I ordered this DisplayPort cable to use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005H3Q59U/

Thanks! I actually went with this displayport to usb cable and works brilliantly.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EXKDRAC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Sovon Halder]

I got this Juiced Systems BizHUB today and I'm facing an issue with my MBP 2017 TB 13" (High Sierra). Whenever I disconnect the charging cable from the pass through usb-c charging port, all the other devices connected that that time (a thumb drive, a SD card), they disconnect and connect - macOS sends a notification that 'devices not ejected properly'.

I've tried checking the above by connecting the dongle on both the left and right side of the laptop.

Why is this happening? Is this a defect in the dongle?

 

[fraternihil]

Hi folks,

I am running a late 15" 2016 MB Pro and am in need for a reliable USB-C hub with HDMI and at least one USB3 port. With reliable I mean that it works every time i plug it in, i.e. without having to reboot etc. The one I am using right now is highly unreliable: Every day i go into the office to plug in the external monitor, I have to reboot several times, plug (and pray), and unplug the dongle in order to getting it work. I am a university teacher, and you can imagine the hassle I encounter each time I try to connect this computer to the beamer. Do I have to go for the original Apple product or is there a better alternative? Any help is highly appreciated, because no matter which product I read reviews about (Satechi, Aukey, etc), there's always the one person to complain that something does not work (e.g. Wifi signal lost). Thanks!

 

[Sovon Halder]

because no matter which product I read reviews about (Satechi, Aukey, etc), there's always the one person to complain that something does not work

This is always the case. No matter how good a manufacturer is, some consumer will always face some issue.

Having that out of the way... You would be better off investing into something of higher quality. Every hub is different in some way. The marketing and product description does not give the clear picture of how good a hub it is. Cheaper ones will have flaky connection and lower transfer speed. Even some of the good ones have limitations in some regard. I can't say that you should read every post in this thread because different people will have different recommendations; there are so many. If you see some product reviews from tech reviewers out there, you'll get the idea which are the most popular.

I myself picked up a Juiced Systems Bizhub last month and everything works all right. Initially I thought there was a power issue in the hub but later after extensive search I found out that it's same for every hub in this category. I picked this one because only this hub available in my region has proper full speed gigabit ethernet port.

 

[apiro]

Hey guys! Could anyone help me understand how USB-C docks aimed, I suppose, at USB 3.1 gen 2 speed (10 Gbps) behave when connected to USB 3.1 gen 1 (5 Gbps) device, specifically Macbook 12" 2017?

For example this CalDigit dock. I understand all ports won't work at full speed if connected to Macbook 12" 2017. Yet I don't know how exactly will they work?

For example if I connect 4K @ 30 Hz DisplayPort display to it, I understand it'll work in alternate mode. How much bandwidth of 5 Gbps will be available for USB-A ports on the dock?

What if I connect 4K @ 60 Hz DisplayPort to it? Is it even possible with Macbook 12" 2017? Will USB-A ports just downgrade to USB 2.0 then or stop working at all?

And the main question, I think. This CalDigit dock (or similar OWC dock) is an overkill for my needs. OWC Travel dock is much closer to my needs yet it lacks some functionality - specifically DP instead of HDMI. Is there a similar small dock that has all the following features:
1. miniDP or DisplayPort or (even better) USB-C port that can connect at least 4K @ 30 Hz display;
2. can convert to HDMI 4K @ 30 Hz without active cable (I intend to connect both DP and HDMI displays from time to time);
3. has 1 or 2 USB-A ports that will not downgrade to USB 2.0 if display is not connected;
4. can passthrough 60W of power to Macbook?

The best dock in my mind would have
1. one or two USB-A ports, preferably at least one of them with 1.5A charging capability;
2. first USB-C port that can passthrough up to 60W of power;
3. second USB-C port that can connect both USB-C devices and DisplayPort and HDMI displays (the latter using passive cable) of 4K @ 30 Hz without downgrading USB-A ports to USB 2.0 and DP display of 4K @ 60 Hz with downgrading USB-A ports to USB 2.0;
4. preferably detachable USB-C cable that connects to the Macbook.

Or miniDP/DP port instead of second USB-C port that supports the same display resolutions with the same side effects as explained in p. 3.

Ethernet, SD, Audio etc not necessary.

Is there anything like that on the market?

Thank you!

 

[apiro]

Hey, if anyone's interested it seems the current situation is as follows. (I'm talking about USB-C non-Thunderbolt 3 solutions.)

There are expensive docks like CalDigit one (also OWC, StarTech etc) that provide a lot of ports but no more than 1 passthrough charging USB-C (i. e. no USB-C hubs with full-featured USB-C ports), a (mini)DisplayPort and/or HDMI that can handle no more than 4K@30Hz, 2 or more USB-A 3.0 ports with different charging capabilities etc. These expensive docks have detachable USB-C cable to connect to the laptop. CalDigit is an exceptional one - there is a special firmware available that can downgrade USB-A 3.0 ports to 2.0 and allow 4K@60Hz for the display (I'm not sure what happens to other ports - e. g. Ethernet - I think they stop working but I'm not sure).

There is a plethora of "travel" docks that are cheaper and much smaller than the expensive docks above. They mostly contain 1 passthrough charging USB-C, an HDMI (no such docks with DisplayPort) that handles up to 4K@30Hz, 1 or more USB-A 3.0 ports with minimal charging capabilities and some other low-bandwidth ports (sometimes Ethernet, sometimes SD card etc).

There are two (I know of) exceptional "travel" docks that provide 4K@60Hz - one via miniDisplayPort and another via HDMI 2.0. As CalDigit described above they can only provide USB-A 2.0 ports sadly and no other ports besides some slow SD card.

Some of the "travel" docks go with small non-detachable USB-C cable, some port right into the Macbook without any cable. When ported right into the Macbook without any cable it should be possible to use USB-C extension cable (USB-C female to USB-C male) to put the travel dock further from the laptop but very few of such extension cables exist with mixed reviews so they might not work. Also they're mostly black which does not mix well with the Macbook or dock's colour.

So in summary: if you want small "travel" dock with 4K@60Hz you will have to have USB-A 2.0 and slow SD port only, fortunately you can choose miniDP or HDMI for display; if you're ok with 4K@30Hz instead of 60Hz you will have to have HDMI (no miniDP) but you may have much more ports (no USB-C besides charging passthrough though).

If you're OK with big expensive dock - IMHO CalDigit one is the most full-featured one especially since it allows special firmware.

 

[HaddockW]

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.

Waiting for this to happen but right now, only 2 companies have announced chipsets. It will take at least 2 months or so for it to come out in products.
All the hubs now are basically USB 3.0 hubs w/ USB-c connector on the end. No true 3.1 Gen 2 interfaces.. I know this because Ive been following this religously. I have a few USB-C gen 2 RAIDs and every time I plug to a gen 1 hub, it drops down to 5Gbps and I can feel the slowness.

 

[macross87]

Been playing with cables to find some decent speeds. Found these on Amazon as a USB-C Gen2 cable. for my external drives. They are giving me ~600MB/s read/write speeds when connected to the MBP. Im using Glyph SSD drives so the speeds are not that bad! The price for the cables are decent.

 

[Resseh]

what is the best TB3 dock at the moment? I keep waiting for the Henge Horizontal dock but it now says mid 2018. By that time, Apple will have probably moved their ports about on their next laptop :<

 

[apiro]

what is the best TB3 dock at the moment? I keep waiting for the Henge Horizontal dock but it now says mid 2018. By that time, Apple will have probably moved their ports about on their next laptop :<

CalDigit TS3 if 3 USB-A ports are enough for you. I have it.
OWC Thunderbolt 3 otherwise.
If by dock you mean full-featured on-site dock and not travel dock with far fewer ports.

 

[andi242]

Hi everyone,

I searched the internet for a while and did not get a real answer to the question:
Does the DELL DS1000 USB-C Hub go well with a MacBook?
http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/accessories/apd/452-bcii

I recently got the MacBook and was able to test it myself.
It's working perfectly with the Monitor attached to the dock and USB/LAN/Power connectivity.

Since I wasn't able to find anything here, I wanted to share the experience.

 

[zippster]

Hi everyone,

I searched the internet for a while and did not get a real answer to the question:
Does the DELL DS1000 USB-C Hub go well with a MacBook?
http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/accessories/apd/452-bcii

I recently got the MacBook and was able to test it myself.
It's working perfectly with the Monitor attached to the dock and USB/LAN/Power connectivity.

Since I wasn't able to find anything here, I wanted to share the experience.

funny enough I have one of these for my work xps 9350 and it works on my MBP too. flawlessly ..

 

[bruinsrme]

funny enough I have one of these for my work xps 9350 and it works on my MBP too. flawlessly ..

I have 2 dell P series monitors, does this mount support dual monitors via using the dp passthru?

MBP to dock then monitor 1 dp in —-> monitor 1 dp out —-> monitor 2 dp in.