Which USB-C dock for an M1 MacBook Pro?

[GiantKiwi]

It works for the Apple Thunderbolt Display.

No it doesn't actually, that was our entire intention for the adapter in the first place. Tried it on 10 separate now defunct Displays in a computer lab and none of them worked with it. Instead we resorted to using a cheap Chinese adapter that cost exactly 1/4 of the price and worked immediately. End result, 10 apple adapters returned to Apple.

Apple doesn't "just work".

Semantics don't matter a damn if a port doesn't fulfil its primary purpose, TB2 primary purpose is display output.

 

[JohnnyGo]

And yes, after weeks of research, I am almost certain on the Caldigit Soho, too.

Seems like a good option. Even better at Kickstarter early prices.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

The 16-port Hub arrives tomorrow.

In the meantime, Apple screwed up and forgot to send the official dongle, so refunded me and asked me to order again.

Should I just order the Caldigit Soho?

IE. Is the Caldigit Soho simply superior to the official Apple HDMI/AV adapter in every possible way?

Any reason I'd want both?

Your link to the 16-port hub seems to be from your Order History, which we cannot see. Can you link to the actual product page instead? Curious what you are getting...

 

[TrueBlou]

If anyone is interested in a cheap and cheerful option, I originally got this as a temporary measure and portable alternative to my desktop TB3 dock, which is by no means portable.

I bought it thinking it would do me until something that appealed to me, from one of the established and well-known third-parties came along. But it’s performed like an absolute champ, no complaints whatsoever, especially considering the price.

So I’m actually going to keep it as my portable option. At least for now, I can’t come up with a good enough reason to replace it....... yet

 

[ibash]

I've tried:
1. Plugable thunderbolt 3 - TBT3-UDZ
2. Targus thunderbolt 3 8k (tested 2 of them, in case one was bad)
3. Caldigit TS3 plus

1. With the plugable I ran into problems with my intel mac, it could have been a one off as support hadn't seen that particular issue before.
2. The targus only worked at 30hz with the m1 — apple support didn't have a solution
3. The caldigit ts3 plus worked with the m1 just fine, no hiccups at all

 

[jdb8167]

No it doesn't actually, that was our entire intention for the adapter in the first place. Tried it on 10 separate now defunct Displays in a computer lab and none of them worked with it. Instead we resorted to using a cheap Chinese adapter that cost exactly 1/4 of the price and worked immediately. End result, 10 apple adapters returned to Apple.

Apple doesn't "just work".

Semantics don't matter a damn if a port doesn't fulfil its primary purpose, TB2 primary purpose is display output.

Works for my Thunderbolt Display. I don’t know what went wrong for you. Are you sure they are thunderbolt displays and not Cinema displays?

 

[GiantKiwi]

Works for my Thunderbolt Display. I don’t know what went wrong for you. Are you sure they are thunderbolt displays and not Cinema displays?

A1407.

 

[alexjholland]

Your link to the 16-port hub seems to be from your Order History, which we cannot see. Can you link to the actual product page instead? Curious what you are getting...

Here's the 16-port USB 3 hub that I ordered.

It's frustrating that they're all vertically-mounted, so the cables stick up like spaghetti.

It'd be awesome if I could find one with the ports and power supply all pointing to the back of my desk, with the power buttons on the front.

 

[Natastrophe]

So much information about hubs!! I found this one that supports 4k60, and has all the ports I need. My monitor is HDMI, so I can power my Macbook Air M1 with one USB-C port, and collect all other devices via the adapter...

USB C to HDMI Adapter, 6 IN 1 MacBook Pro Adapter USB C Hub 4K@60Hz for MacBook Pro 2020-2016, MacBook Air 2020-2018, Ipad Pro 2020, Surface Pro 7, Dell XPS, USB C to 4K HDMI, SD/TF and 3 USB

USB C to HDMI Adapter, 6 IN 1 MacBook Pro Adapter USB C Hub 4K@60Hz for MacBook Pro 2020-2016, MacBook Air 2020-2018, Ipad Pro 2020, Surface Pro 7, Dell XPS, USB C to 4K HDMI, SD/TF and 3 USB

www.amazon.co.uk

What are peoples thoughts on the above? I may order today!

 

[macnmac]

anyone have good recs for a dongle with gigabit+

 

[GiantKiwi]

So much information about hubs!! I found this one that supports 4k60, and has all the ports I need. My monitor is HDMI, so I can power my Macbook Air M1 with one USB-C port, and collect all other devices via the adapter...

USB C to HDMI Adapter, 6 IN 1 MacBook Pro Adapter USB C Hub 4K@60Hz for MacBook Pro 2020-2016, MacBook Air 2020-2018, Ipad Pro 2020, Surface Pro 7, Dell XPS, USB C to 4K HDMI, SD/TF and 3 USB

USB C to HDMI Adapter, 6 IN 1 MacBook Pro Adapter USB C Hub 4K@60Hz for MacBook Pro 2020-2016, MacBook Air 2020-2018, Ipad Pro 2020, Surface Pro 7, Dell XPS, USB C to 4K HDMI, SD/TF and 3 USB

www.amazon.co.uk

What are peoples thoughts on the above? I may order today!

Avoid no-name branded chinese crap. They all claim a lot of things, none of them ever do what they claim.

 

[Natastrophe]

Avoid no-name branded chinese crap. They all claim a lot of things, none of them ever do what they claim.

Pretty much all are made in China, even the branded ones. What would you reccomend?

I was also considering this https://www.kingston.com/unitedkingdom/en/memory-card-readers/nucleum-usb-type-c-hub

 

[alexjholland]

So far I'm happy with my Caldigit Soho.

Great reviews. And you can add ethernet support with a dongle.

 

[alexjholland]

Pretty much all are made in China, even the branded ones. What would you reccomend?

I was also considering this https://www.kingston.com/unitedkingdom/en/memory-card-readers/nucleum-usb-type-c-hub

'Designed by a US brand, made in China, then sold via a US store with a full domestic warranty' is pretty different to 'ships straight from an unrecognisable Chinese brand and you'll have to deal with them if it goes wrong'.

 

[Natastrophe]

So far I'm happy with my Caldigit Soho.

Great reviews. And you can add ethernet support with a dongle.

I checked that one, but it's a little out of my price range and overkill for what I need! Feeling a little broke after shelling out £1150 on my new M1 Macbook Air!

 

[alexjholland]

Kingston is a recognised and respected brand.

I haven't checked the reviews, but they're definitely known and respected.

However, it won't supply 4K/60Hz as it's gen 1.

Gen 2. and 4K/60Hz is the 'extra feature' that I paid out for with the Caldigit Soho.

If you're using a 1080p monitor for the forseeable, then you don't need that.

I checked that one, but it's a little out of my price range and overkill for what I need! Feeling a little broke after shelling out £1150 on my new M1 Macbook Air!

 

[Natastrophe]

Kingston is a recognised and respected brand.

I haven't checked the reviews, but they're definitely known and respected.

However, it won't supply 4K/60Hz as it's gen 1.

Gen 2. and 4K/60Hz is the 'extra feature' that I paid out for with the Caldigit Soho.

If you're using a 1080p monitor for the forseeable, then you don't need that.

There is this too, Apple actually have a very similar item on their official store too

SATECHI USB-C Hub Slim Multiport Adapter V2 with 60W USB C PD, 4K HDMI (60Hz), Micro/SD Card Readers, USB 3.0 - For M2/ M1 MacBook Pro/Air, M2/ M1 iPad Pro/Air, M2 Mac Mini, iMac M1 (Gold)

SATECHI USB-C Hub Slim Multiport Adapter V2 with 60W USB C PD, 4K HDMI (60Hz), Micro/SD Card Readers, USB 3.0 - For M2/ M1 MacBook Pro/Air, M2/ M1 iPad Pro/Air, M2 Mac Mini, iMac M1 (Gold)

www.amazon.co.uk

But they are 4k30

 

[GiantKiwi]

There is this too, Apple actually have a very similar item on their official store too

SATECHI USB-C Hub Slim Multiport Adapter V2 with 60W USB C PD, 4K HDMI (60Hz), Micro/SD Card Readers, USB 3.0 - For M2/ M1 MacBook Pro/Air, M2/ M1 iPad Pro/Air, M2 Mac Mini, iMac M1 (Gold)

SATECHI USB-C Hub Slim Multiport Adapter V2 with 60W USB C PD, 4K HDMI (60Hz), Micro/SD Card Readers, USB 3.0 - For M2/ M1 MacBook Pro/Air, M2/ M1 iPad Pro/Air, M2 Mac Mini, iMac M1 (Gold)

www.amazon.co.uk

But they are 4k30

Either buy Apple approved vendors, reputable vendors, or Apple's own. Satechi adapters are definitely amongst ones that have been reported as either being completely non-functional on M1 or in some cases permanently killing M1 TB ports.

You've spent £1150 on a macbook, and now you're going to cheapskate on an adapter, makes zero sense.

Save up until you can afford a decent adapter.

 

[abhi182]

I have reached the horrible conclusion that I should just buy the official Apple USB-C AV adaptor.

• It's a 'proven' solution for both power and 4K/60Hz with one USB-C slot.
• If it breaks, I can take it straight to An Apple Store (instead of shipping it back to America).
• I can buy a cheapo Anker USB-C hub for my hard drives with no need to use its HDMI out.

Further considerations...

• Will the Apple USB-C AV adapter play nicely with my PixelBook Go?
• Does the Anker USB-C hub need a power supply given, it'll be connected to several hard drives?

I use the official apple adapter coupled with a separate usb A hub for a desktop setup with 4k monitor, Ethernet, 3 usb A devices

I use it most of the time with the MBA but do use it with a windows laptop Also (LG gram)

The former works great.. everything is working as expected with a single connector.
4k60 works.. Ethernet works at 900+Mbps etc..
All Connections are established and system is ready to use in 5 odd seconds after attaching the cable.

The LG also works but with some caveats:

1) it does not charge via the PD from the apple hub. Not sure if it's a apple problem or LG

2) i also need to take the power cable out from the apple adapter before plugging into gram. If i don't , the attached usb devices act iffy (eg Ethernet works but mouse dongle doesn't )
Again , not sure why..

I haven't bothered to troubleshoot as using the LG in docked mode is not an everyday use case and I can live with a couple of wires to attach/ disconnect if and when I need to...

On a side note, I did know that this adapter may not work perfectly with other devices but still chose this because

1) good TB3 hubs are far too pricey currently.. I'd rather buy a mini for a bit more money instead

2) this is the only C hub that I know of which can do 4k60 (4k30 feels noticeabley choppy)

3) stories of bricked motherboards due to 3rd PD hubs are far too common to risk it till the root cause is identified

 

[Natastrophe]

Either buy Apple approved vendors, reputable vendors, or Apple's own. Satechi adapters are definitely amongst ones that have been reported as either being completely non-functional on M1 or in some cases permanently killing M1 TB ports.

You've spent £1150 on a macbook, and now you're going to cheapskate on an adapter, makes zero sense.

Save up until you can afford a decent adapter.

But apple sell these on their official site!

Satechi Aluminium USB C Multiport Pro Adapter - Apple (UK)

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

 

[GiantKiwi]

But apple sell these on their official site!

Satechi Aluminium USB C Multiport Pro Adapter - Apple (UK)

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

The also sell the CalDigit Minidock, but that has also been confirmed to cause issues with M1, but not Intel.

 

[alexjholland]

I use the official apple adapter coupled with a separate usb A hub for a desktop setup with 4k monitor, Ethernet, 3 usb A devices

I use it most of the time with the MBA but do use it with a windows laptop Also (LG gram)

The former works great.. everything is working as expected with a single connector.
4k60 works.. Ethernet works at 900+Mbps etc..
All Connections are established and system is ready to use in 5 odd seconds after attaching the cable.

The LG also works but with some caveats:

1) it does not charge via the PD from the apple hub. Not sure if it's a apple problem or LG

2) i also need to take the power cable out from the apple adapter before plugging into gram. If i don't , the attached usb devices act iffy (eg Ethernet works but mouse dongle doesn't )
Again , not sure why..

I haven't bothered to troubleshoot as using the LG in docked mode is not an everyday use case and I can live with a couple of wires to attach/ disconnect if and when I need to...

On a side note, I did know that this adapter may not work perfectly with other devices but still chose this because

1) good TB3 hubs are far too pricey currently.. I'd rather buy a mini for a bit more money instead

2) this is the only C hub that I know of which can do 4k60 (4k30 feels noticeabley choppy)

3) stories of bricked motherboards due to 3rd PD hubs are far too common to risk it till the root cause is identified

I've got both the Apple AV adapter and the Caldigit Soho.

They're actually pretty similar in terms of capabilities - both have 46/60Hz over HDMI + USB A + power passthrough.

However, the Caldigit Soho adds USB-C and a built in SD card reader.

As I travel and spend time in Bali (which has no trustworthy electronics stores) it's easy to justfify owning two USB-C adapters. Soho is for 'home/office' and the Apple adapter fits into my smaller electronics bag for coworking spaces.

All that said, I've reverted to using a USB-C to Displayport cable for the monitor and everything else via the second USB-C port. Skipping the hub is just simpler when I use other devices like a Google PixelBook Go.

 

[shumbot]

I've looked for a few hours, I can only find references to this thread and a reddit post by a single person with extremely negative karma.

Think it's fairly safe to say it's complete and utter BS.

hey sorry i just made an account so might not look very reputable but i dont think its a problem specific to a particular dock, i was using the kogan 5 in 1 with passthrough and it bricked my m1 mac within a few weeks of using it, luckily i have applecare plus but the logic board is completely fried and i have lost all data on the computer. happy to post proof if you want

 

[shumbot]

... but it's posted on the Internet, it must be true!!!



Thanks for doing the research. I figured it was BS - I've had the Caldigit TS3+ for two years.

^ read my above post!! im sure it doesnt happen to everybody, i mightve just been unlucky but back up your data regularly and look into your warranty just incase! it could be an expensive mistake

 

[alexjholland]

hey sorry i just made an account so might not look very reputable but i dont think its a problem specific to a particular dock, i was using the kogan 5 in 1 with passthrough and it bricked my m1 mac within a few weeks of using it, luckily i have applecare plus but the logic board is completely fried and i have lost all data on the computer. happy to post proof if you want

What's Apple's response to this?

Any issues at all getting it dealt with?