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Which USB-C dock for an M1 MacBook Pro?
- Thread starter alexjholland
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I've been using Anker Power Adapter > Soho > M1 MBA for about 5 weeks now, pretty sure the fault would have produced itself by now. I've never even taken the Apple power adapter out of the box (took one look at the 1.8m cable and didn't bother).
Had a 4th one come into today, again on the Satechi adapter.
All 4 users got their M1 Macs over the Christmas break, a mix of MBA's and MBP's. All 4 were using the Apple store sold Satechi multiport adapter with PD, using the Apple supplied power adapter.
So either the Satechi itself is just completely buggered or the combination of the Apple power adapter + Satechi adapter is FUBAR.
I haven't had any problems using the Satechi USB-C hub that I bought in 2016.
Satechi USB C Hub Multiport Adapter V2 - USB C Dongle - 4K HDMI (60Hz), 60W USB C Charging, GbE, SD/Micro Card Readers, USB 3.0 - USBC Hub for MacBook Pro/Air M1 M2 - Space Gray
Satechi USB C Hub Multiport Adapter V2 - USB C Dongle - 4K HDMI (60Hz), 60W USB C Charging, GbE, SD/Micro Card Readers, USB 3.0 - USBC Hub for MacBook Pro/Air M1 M2 - Space Gray
www.amazon.com
Interesting. Given I plan to spend summer in SE Asia (if COVID improves) I'd rather 'test' my setup right now, while I'm near an Apple Store.
I'll plug straight into my Soho!
I haven't had any problems using the Satechi USB-C hub that I bought in 2016.
Satechi USB C Hub Multiport Adapter V2 - USB C Dongle - 4K HDMI (60Hz), 60W USB C Charging, GbE, SD/Micro Card Readers, USB 3.0 - USBC Hub for MacBook Pro/Air M1 M2 - Space Gray
Satechi USB C Hub Multiport Adapter V2 - USB C Dongle - 4K HDMI (60Hz), 60W USB C Charging, GbE, SD/Micro Card Readers, USB 3.0 - USBC Hub for MacBook Pro/Air M1 M2 - Space Graywww.amazon.com
Different model, which isn't sold by Apple directly. The one that is, is the one causing problems https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/produ...f9addef62bf69ac2ba6bec018b20775084e0b5136ded0
Satechi's stuff looks totally style over substance.
I've got their R1 tablet stand and it's fantastic.
But electronics are a whole other ballgame.
I was suspicious about Satechi's capabilities in this area - and this hasn't helped.
I've got their R1 tablet stand and it's fantastic.
But electronics are a whole other ballgame.
I was suspicious about Satechi's capabilities in this area - and this hasn't helped.
Knock on wood my Satechi works on the ports I use. I’m putting it through its paces on my new system and thus far so good to report back no issues. Sorry about you’re experiences
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The upside, the most recent one to turn up in my office with the problem actually let me borrow the adapter itself - so i'm going to plug it into a Linux machine and see if I can identify what OEM made the controller inside without having to risk a Mac in the process when I get a chance.
This isn't the first time i've encountered problems with USB C hubs - I have rules in place on our network management software to automatically block the MAC addresses of some adapters with ethernet ports on them, due to them having a habit of causing broadcast storms once the initial handshake with our captive portal has taken place. Those are with hubs using JAE, JMTO or STMicroelectronics USB C controllers in them.
I'm almost expecting a similar controller in these particular adapters.
I'd love to hear back on your findings.
Naturally, I have a vested interest in you discovering a unique, critical fault in Satechi hubs that reassures me I won't experience the same issue with my Caldigit Hub.
Such is the inherent selfishness with being human.
I’m thinking about getting the Soho. Anyone actually have one yet and using it with their M1? Should do 4K HDR?
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I received the CalDigit SOHO and did some tests at #411
I don't get HDR with non-Apple DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0b adapters including the SOHO, but the DisplayPort output of the SOHO can do HDR.
In which case, that limitation is purely down to Apple hardware that it's plugged into. I am able to use the SOHO with windows oriented machines and get HDR to work. My comment was based on the assumption (clearly over assumed) that the spec should allow it, as it worked on other hardware.
I got round to doing this now that I could test against other units. The one that I borrowed vs another I bought directly from Apple myself and one from an Apple reseller - All were the same model.
Here is the interesting thing, where you buy it seems to make a difference - I had been informed that the borrowed one had been bought at an Apple store in Hong Kong. It had a JMTO controller. Both my own Apple bought one and the Apple reseller one reported as having STMicroelectronics controllers.
I contacted a friend who has professional access to accounts with both of those suppliers, and there has never been a situation where a chip supply shortage has existed of a yield to warrant Satechi using multiple vendors. Unless even they're not aware of it.
Now for the concerning bit - It would appear that each individual port hasn't been particularly well isolated from one another, as I shouldn't be able to read nearly 8W off an HDMI port, as that is a whole magnitude beyond the specification tolerances. HDMI is supposed to have short circuit protection of 4.8-5.3V at 0.5A.
I'm returning both my units, and have advised owner of the borrowed one to seek a refund as well.
To clarify for anyone else reading, this only affects the "Only at Apple" model (https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/HMYE2ZM/A/satechi-aluminium-usb-c-multiport-pro-adapter). Amazon model is different and potentially unaffected.
Ok so only the display port output on the SOHO will give you HDR from your MacBook?
Using the USB-C port of a W5700 eGPU connected to a Mac mini 2018. Yes, that's true. Anyone know a HDMI port (from hub or dock or adapter) that is not Apple that does HDR? Maybe macOS is broken.
Wow. That sounds like a serious fault that Apple and Satechi should be aware of?
So... in a totally selfish way... this is good news for the rest of us, right?
It totally explains why their laptops died - and if that dock's in the Apple Store (and looks pretty) then no surprise that quite a few people have purchased it.
BTW 0.5 amps x 5 volts = 2.5 watts, right?
So that's a maximum of 2.5 W that's instead getting 8W?
Yup. Have sent notifications to the latter with the physical evidence we collected, as ultimately it's up to them to notify Apple.
And yes, 0.5A x 5V is 2.5W.
Ah. The W5700 is going to be why HDR isn't working - it's a feature only available to consumer variant GPU's from AMD.
I said the W5700 supports HDR via DisplayPort and Apple's HDMI adapter. The Displays preferences panel has the HDR option in those cases. The problem is that the Displays preferences panel does not have the HDR option when the display is connected using other DisplayPort to HDMI adapters such as the one in the CalDigit SOHO, or the Club-3D adapters, etc.
Only usb-c hubs without power delivery are reasonably reasonably safe, IMO. I have now closed the PD port of my hub with superglue to prevent usage.
The fact that many M1 notebooks got fried, suggests that their USB4 circuit has no protection against high currents. If so, a wrong negotiation of power delivery between the M1 and the hub can fry M1 notebooks. Power-delivery is much more demanding as voltages of up to 20V can be negotiated. If the other side expects only 5V but receives 20V then it will fry if it doesn't have some protection. So no PD for me with my M1.
Just my very humble opinion of course.
The fact that many M1 notebooks got fried, suggests that their USB4 circuit has no protection against high currents. If so, a wrong negotiation of power delivery between the M1 and the hub can fry M1 notebooks. Power-delivery is much more demanding as voltages of up to 20V can be negotiated. If the other side expects only 5V but receives 20V then it will fry if it doesn't have some protection. So no PD for me with my M1.
Just my very humble opinion of course.
Has anyone seen an issue with the Targus 4K or Dell PD hubs? They both have been around for a couple of years and seem to have a solid reputation.
I am using a Dell D6000 and very happy till so far. Using with 2*4K at 60hz. It is DisplayLink but performance is good.
Hiya F,
I have a Dell WD19 USB-c Hub, it came with the work laptop. Been using with M1 MBA for over a month. No major issues. I'm pretty OCD about this mind
RE: BRICKING
I'm surmising it could be a config issue with the MBA firing up from sleep or from cold, with the Hub not plugged in, or not fired up, or bits of Hardware disconnected from the Hub, since the last time the MBA was fully awake. Waking up, the MBA does not like the different HW config it is presented with, and then Bricks.
So I make sure the MBA is in standalone mode when I turn off, or disconnect the USB-C hub.
I.e. I fully fire up the MBA in standalone, and turn the Hub on separately, let it spin up, THEN plug the USB-c cable in. When shutting down the MBA for the night, I turn off the Monitor, then the Hub. Let the MBA go into standalone mode again (So the Screen resizes to the laptop screen). THEN I disconnect the Hub lead, THEN turn off the MBA.
Pretty crappy to have to do this with a premium laptop, but this has been working for me. Better safe than sorry
RE: Dell
I do like Dell kit. Proper rock solid work stuff, not cheap kit in both senses. I'm pretty lucky to have the Work PD Hub. Hell, it even has its own internal fan to keep itself cool.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Martin