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

[shenan1982]

Agreed.. These Anker adapters are nice form factor, but sort of useless to me without passthrough charging. I hope someone makes a small portable dock with a few USB ports, Ethernet, and charging support.

Hub+ is very close, but it's lacking built-in Ethernet port. If there are no other options in a few months, I may end up getting Hub+ paired up with a small Apple USB2-to-Ethernet adapter. Not ideal though, as I'd really like an all-in-one solution.

At first I saw it and thought "COOL!" but then I got to thinking about it... so you're somewhere that you are plugged in for 4 hours and need to plug into the power... you pull the ethernet cord and now you are stuck sitting there watching it charge, unable to use it.

In MY opinion, an adaptor is useless unless it has the charge capability built into it. I don't want to have to be looking at the clock, determining when I have to stop what I'm doing to unplug from the network and plug into the charger. I think Apple envisions a wireless world where we're not connected via ethernet, but that world is not a reality, we're far from that actually.

What's more interesting is how USB 3.x uses a ton of the computer's power (something has to spin up that hard drive or charge up the phone), so to have a usbc to usba adaptor without power is silliness.

 

[Ethos Evoss]

Tables get bumped as part of their normal operation. The design will wobble. It's annoying. Cute, but impractical. A centered stand will be more balanced and reduce wobbling. Sony had a design like that once on their Sony Vaio monitors.

 

[Ethos Evoss]

I'm so tired of kickstarter. While I fully support the concept of kickstarter, I am overly frustrated by the number of fully funded projects that never see the light of day. The reason why the traditional model of raising capital works so well is in order to launch a product, someone needs a basic understanding of the business model... and absent of that, projects stall and never see the light of day. People get excited and spend money on something they'll never get.

But u need to realize that ,sketch something, design something then realize it and develop takes years..
For example I seen few days back on E3 games that Shenmue III going to be a real thing but director spoke to ppl and told them it is in your hands and gave the same link kickstarter.. but that game wont see that ''light of day'' until 2017 and I believe there will be delays so 2018 ..
Nobody tells you to donate hundreds or thousands of monies ..
But I don't believe it is spam or scam or fake..

 

[Wallabe]

I'm so tired of kickstarter. While I fully support the concept of kickstarter, I am overly frustrated by the number of fully funded projects that never see the light of day. The reason why the traditional model of raising capital works so well is in order to launch a product, someone needs a basic understanding of the business model... and absent of that, projects stall and never see the light of day. People get excited and spend money on something they'll never get.

That's why I never funded anything kickstarter. I am sure some people are genuine about it, but people are people. They will take your money and run out the back door. You are funding their own charity that goes into their pocket.

Once a project is funded, and they spend just about all the money and the project never goes through, then what? The best funders can get back is pennies on the dollar. That's why the traditional way of doing business, you have collateral. If you are serious about doing business and taking risks, then you need to show you mean it. Not just these fancy talk and fancy videos.

Anker has been making a lot of quality products. In due time, you will be able to purchase what you want.

 

[Ethos Evoss]

Agreed.. These Anker adapters are nice form factor, but sort of useless to me without passthrough charging. I hope someone makes a small portable dock with a few USB ports, Ethernet, and charging support.

Hub+ is very close, but it's lacking built-in Ethernet port. If there are no other options in a few months, I may end up getting Hub+ paired up with a small Apple USB2-to-Ethernet adapter. Not ideal though, as I'd really like an all-in-one solution.

Apple USB2-to-Ethernet adapter will be mega slow .. why they don't sell usb 3.0 ?
And anyway, why do u want Ethernet ??? WiFi ac is not enough ?

 

[ctyrider]

Apple USB2-to-Ethernet adapter will be mega slow .. why they don't sell usb 3.0 ?
And anyway, why do u want Ethernet ??? WiFi ac is not enough ?

USB2 is 480Mb/s, and Ethernet interface on the other end is 100Mb/s. What exactly is "mega slow" about that? I bet your home Internet broadband speed is under 100Mb.

I need Ethernet because I use my rMB at Clients' corporate locations, where WiFi is very often not an option.

 

[jbromer]

I need Ethernet because I use my rMB at Clients' corporate locations, where WiFi is very often not an option.

Exactly. A lot of us work in locations where wifi may not be a given...

 

[Ethos Evoss]

USB2 is 480Mb/s, and Ethernet interface on the other end is 100Mb/s. What exactly is "mega slow" about that? I bet your home Internet broadband speed is under 100Mb.

I need Ethernet because I use my rMB at Clients' corporate locations, where WiFi is very often not an option.

Man that usb 2.0 speed is maximum protocol (on paper) theoretical usb 2.0 speed ..
You will get like 45-50Mbps basic..
ok

 

[zhenya]

I've been reading through the comments over at the Hydradock kickstarter page. https://www.kickstarter.com/project...11-port-usb-c-dock-for-apple-macbook/comments

Very interesting information there, and given the level of technical explanation they are giving there, it certainly looks like a lot of the devices coming out (say the Hub+) are making promises they won't be able to keep, especially as regards display output (specifically their claim to be supporting 4k@60hz via the displayport out) - the Hydradock creators go into great detail to explain why this is not possible (expand the quote to see the important bolded sections below):

The MacBook does not support DisplayPort resolutions above 2,560 x 1,440 at 60Hz, or HDMI above 1,920 x 1,080 at 60Hz, despite a continuing stream of misinformed statements all over the web contradicting this fact. You see, the MacBook only has USB 3 Gen 1 support from its USB-C port, which tops out at 5Gb/sec bandwidth. That's borderline good enough for HDMI at 3,840 x 2,160 at 30Hz... but with visible video flicker with high quality source material.

Apple further confuses things by stating on their own MacBook tech specs page, "...and up to 3,840 by 2,160 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors." Technically true, but only with HDMI and only at up to 30Hz refresh.

We've been developing a range of USB-C products, including the HydraDock sub-systems for about 10 months, working with each silicon vendor as they have sampled and then released the newest USB-C relevant client side chips — only a tiny number of which are actually available at this time.

There are four bottlenecks happening here.

One bottleneck is that the USB host controller chip in the MacBook is limited to USB 3 Gen 1 speed, which doesn't support anything more than 2,560 x 1,440 at 60Hz refresh (and the aforementioned 4HD over HDMI at 30Hz).

Another bottleneck is that the EDID sensing and recognition and resolution settings subsystem in System Preferences doesn't recognize or load resolutions above the aforementioned ones.

Another bottleneck is that the MacBook doesn't output native DisplayPort, but uses the DisplayPort Alternate Mode USB 3.1 protocol to embed the DP signaling over two or four conductors out of the USB-C port. This protocol — when supplied by a USB 3 Gen 1 source — is limited to the above stated resolutions.

Another bottleneck is the USB-C hub controller chip in the HydraDock — incidentally, the only USB host controller chip actually available in the supply chain now, or until about September. It is a USB 3 Gen 1 device.

Finally, the DP DeMux chip in the hydraDock supports the aforementioned USB DisplayPort Alt Mode up to the aforementioned limits. And again, it's the only one currently available to manufacturers. There isn't another DeMux chip we could use yet. Anywhere.

Any source stating opinions different from this explanation are wrong, for whatever reason they state such things. Any products claiming capabilities greater than these at this time, or promised anytime before September are, well... making incorrect statements, or intentionally misrepresenting reality.

Given that this is a specific chipset limitation, my previous reservations about the HDMI port don't really apply.

At this point, having reviewed the various options, and understanding better how I will actually use this device, I think that I will be just fine with the plain usb-c to usb-a adapter for the occasion when I need to attach something to the MacBook. I don't really have intentions of connecting it to a monitor, and at this point, anyhow, can't envision needing to have multiple peripherals attached for any period of time that would necessitate additional adapters. I'm very interested in where the USB-C market goes though.

 

[ctyrider]

Man that usb 2.0 speed is maximum protocol (on paper) theoretical usb 2.0 speed ..
You will get like 45-50Mbps basic..

Actually, according to BlackMagic DiskSpeed - I get 12MB/s on my USB2 Ethernet adapter, when transferring a large file. That's 96Mb/s, or just about the limit of 100Mb Ethernet NIC, minus the overhead.

But I am done having this inane debate with you, which has nothing to do with the topic of this thread.

 

[ctyrider]

I've been reading through the comments over at the Hydradock kickstarter page. https://www.kickstarter.com/project...11-port-usb-c-dock-for-apple-macbook/comments

Very interesting information there [...]:

The MacBook does not support DisplayPort resolutions above 2,560 x 1,440 at 60Hz, or HDMI above 1,920 x 1,080 at 60Hz, despite a continuing stream of misinformed statements all over the web contradicting this fact. You see, the MacBook only has USB 3 Gen 1 support from its USB-C port, which tops out at 5Gb/sec bandwidth. That's borderline good enough for HDMI at 3,840 x 2,160 at 30Hz..

Actually, that last bit you're quoting is complete rubbish. If anything - it demonstrates lack of Hydradock people understanding of how USB-C supports DisplayPort video. MacBook's lack of support for 4K@60Hz has nothing to do with USB3 gen1 data bandwidth. DisplayPort over USB-C in AltMode is not a subject to 5Gb/s data bandwidth ceiling, as it independently muxes video signal over 4 lanes. USB-C does in fact support DisplayPort 1.2, which is fully capable of 4K@60Hz. The limitations come from MacBook CPU/GPU constraints, not USB 3.1 gen-1 port.

The fact that a purported makers of USB-C dock don't understand the basics of how USB-C works is scary, and makes me suspect the entire project.

 

[Ethos Evoss]

Actually, according to BlackMagic DiskSpeed - I get 12MB/s on my USB2 Ethernet adapter, when transferring a large file. That's 96Mb/s, or just about the limit of 100Mb Ethernet NIC, minus the overhead.

But I am done having this inane debate with you, which has nothing to do with the topic of this thread.

Your posts are boring to me
Jealousy person
Bye

 

[zhenya]

Actually, that last bit you're quoting is complete rubbish. If anything - it demonstrates lack of Hydradock people understanding of how USB-C supports DisplayPort video. MacBook's lack of support for 4K@60Hz has nothing to do with USB3 gen1 data bandwidth. DisplayPort over USB-C in AltMode is not a subject to 5Gb/s data bandwidth ceiling, as it independently muxes video signal over 4 lanes. USB-C does in fact support DisplayPort 1.2, which is fully capable of 4K@60Hz. The limitations come from MacBook CPU/GPU constraints, not USB 3.1 gen-1 port.

The fact that a purported makers of USB-C dock don't understand the basics of how USB-C works is scary, and makes me suspect the entire project.

I don't know the specifics as I don't have reason to delve into the deep specifics of this usb protocol, but what they say is pretty much exactly that - "Another bottleneck is that the MacBook doesn't output native DisplayPort, but uses the DisplayPort Alternate Mode USB 3.1 protocol to embed the DP signaling over two or four conductors out of the USB-C port. This protocol — when supplied by a USB 3 Gen 1 source — is limited to the above stated resolutions." Most likely, in their implementation at least, they can only devote two lanes to displayport, and 10Gbps would in fact be just good enough for 4k@30hz.

Given how much technical information they are forthcoming with compared to the marketing schtick that the other devices are full of, it seems that they at least have some technically minded people in their employ. I won't be supporting any of them as I think Kickstarter is a terrible platform for launching these kind of devices and more than likely you'll never get your product, it won't work as advertised, or it will be months if not years late by which point most of the value has gone.

 

[Aboo]

Has anyone found a usb-c hub with multiple usb-c ports? Looking for something that would allow charging while using the hub at the same time.

Thanks!!

 

[jbromer]

Has anyone found a usb-c hub with multiple usb-c ports? Looking for something that would allow charging while using the hub at the same time.

Thanks!!

Kadi on Kickstarter has 2. You have a few hours left to jump in...
Anker also has 1 "coming soon" with 2 USB-C ports.

 

[MVPinFLA]

Kadi on Kickstarter has 2. You have a few hours left to jump in...
Anker also has 1 "coming soon" with 2 USB-C ports.

I ordered this one earlier this month and it has been shipped; but won't be here for a couple weeks. It looks perfect for me. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YL1QRTW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

 

[zhenya]

I ordered this one earlier this month and it has been shipped; but won't be here for a couple weeks. It looks perfect for me. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YL1QRTW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

That seems to be the best of the bunch so far, but I'm waiting until I see some real usage reviews. I'd also like to wait until a more reputable manufacturer offers something...

 

[MVPinFLA]

That seems to be the best of the bunch so far, but I'm waiting until I see some real usage reviews. I'd also like to wait until a more reputable manufacturer offers something...

There was someone on an earlier thread that ordered before me that should be getting his any day now. So hopefully we will get a review on it.

 

[Wallabe]

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Etherne...TF8&qid=1435078248&sr=1-21&keywords=Usb+c+hub

There are two from Anker, a reputable manufacturer. One of which has an ethernet port for the none Wifi user.

 

[zhenya]

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Etherne...TF8&qid=1435078248&sr=1-21&keywords=Usb+c+hub

There are two from Anker, a reputable manufacturer. One of which has an ethernet port for the none Wifi user.

But no pass-through port for charging, which is a critical flaw for use with the MacBook.

 

[Wallabe]

Then someone needs a MBP.

rMB isn't for everyone. If they really plan to stick an ethernet port into it for hours at a time frequently, they bought the wrong tool.

The rMB is meant for the wireless world.

Even if it does charge, someone will find something else to complain about it.

 

[zhenya]

Uh, pass-through charging is one of the fundamental points of USB-C and why Apple felt confident in designing it with a single port. Try to imagine a use-case that isn't solely your own...

 

[Wallabe]

Tell the client to buy an Airport Express. Instant wifi for $99.

Otherwise, if you really intend to stick with a rMB, get an adapter for it, then get a USB hub to stick in one of the adapter port. Now, you got charging, hub, and display output. Don't complain that's too many things to carry. This Macbook isn't designed for you to connect a bunch of wires to it, but if you insist...

 

[ctyrider]

Tell the client to buy an Airport Express. Instant wifi for $99.

Otherwise, if you really intend to stick with a rMB, get an adapter for it, then get a USB hub to stick in one of the adapter port. Now, you got charging, hub, and display output. Don't complain that's too many things to carry. This Macbook isn't designed for you to connect a bunch of wires to it, but if you insist...

Did someone die and made you the decider of who the rMB is "designed" or "not designed" for? There are many of us who love the idea of ultra-light ultra-portable computer, and yet still need a few accessories for it. This thread is exactly to discuss these types of accessories.

 

[Wallabe]

Did someone die and made you the decider of who the rMB is "designed" or "not designed" for? There are many of us who love the idea of ultra-light ultra-portable computer, and yet still need a few accessories for it. This thread is exactly to discuss these types of accessories.

Like I said, if you insist. You buy a laptop with a single port but complain about not having enough ports. You bought the wrong tool for the job.

It's doable, but you will have a bunch of accessories and cables hanging off of it. Then someone is going to complain why their setup is so complicated with all kinds of adapters and wires.

I am relaying the same message Apple is for this notebook. It's meant for the wireless world. I have just offered you a way on how to have a hub while charging if you want to use the rMB with wires.