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Last active August 3, 2017 06:54
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Apple MacBook Pro Dongle Recommendations
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AppleDongleLife.md

First, I wouldn't buy any official Apple adapters/dongles. They're very expensive and the reviews for a lot of them are terrible. One guy at Octopus bought Apple's USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter and it was dead on arrival. Apple replaced it happily but it's compatibility isn't supposed to be great.

Single hub or dock

  • If you want a single dongle/adapter. I'd look at Satechi ones as they're very well built and highly rated. It has a couple standard USB ports, SD card reader and HDMI.
  • If I was rich, I'd get the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 dock. One USB-C cable and you're living the dream but it's $530.00
  • The Arc Hub looks quite nice too but it hasn't shipped yet. They keep having production problems.

USB Adapters

Grab a couple cheap USB-C to USB-A adapters.

  • I ordered two from cable chick and they were cheap as chips. One plug style to keep in my laptop sleeve in case I need one on the go (i.e. USB storage etc) and one corded dongle to use at home.
  • Also heard that the aukey adapters are pretty good. They come in a two pack and are very well priced as well.

External Monitor

Video adapter for an external monitor. I ordered an alogic USB-C to Display Port cable for home to hook-up my laptop to my Dell monitor. One cable. Simple. Also available for HDMI. The 1m cables support 4k@60Hz and the 2m cables support 4k@30Hz according to the alogic website.

Presenting/Speaking

Presenting at meetings/speaking at user groups, conferences, etc. I ordered an alogic USB-C to HDMI for the best compatability. I don't think these adapters support 4k@60 Hz as they don't call that out specifically. This doesn't bother me at the moment but if you want one that does, I'd look at the StarTech ones.

Other

  • CableGeek sells Anker's super high quality cables. Great if you want a very strong USB-C to USB-C cable or USB-C to lightning etc. They also have belkin and monoprice cables.
  • Belkin appear to sell a super high quality cable as well and they can be purchased locally from JB Hifi. Also available from MacAddict.
  • MacAddict sells a lot of high quality accessorises that you can't find in stores. Worth a browse.

NOTE: I have my laptop sitting on a stand most of the time so I ordered the corded dongles instead of plug style ones. The plug style ones are good for light stuff but cables can bend/pull the connector.

References:

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