User profile for user: Aronis
Aronis Author
User level: Level 1
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What adapters are people using for USB c to etc.

I am about to buy a 16 mac pro, but have devices that are not USBc that I need to be able to connect such as printers, scanners, cameras, drives, etc....I am miffed that Apple dropped connectors for prior devices and from what I have read the adapters are all of various quality and have issues. I love the magnetic power cable on my Mac Air and am apprehensive about plugging in the USBc tiny connector frequently to charge and/or connect my printer......wish apple had a wireless option for backward compatibility.....um.....Apple??? wirelessly connected hub?


Mike

MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 9, 2020 10:39 AM

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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
140,255 points

Oct 10, 2020 7:53 AM in response to Aronis

Magsafe has only five conductors, four of which are power and the fifth is used to negotiate the adapter-type light up the LED in the cable-end under computer control.


But this us such good idea that Intel actually implemented that approach -- although they did not include magnetic attraction. That is what USB-C is all about. The only "ease of physical use" item carried forward was that the connector can be used upside-down or right-side up.


USB-C is the name of the connector, ONLY. ThunderBolt-3 is an uncommitted computer port that can do almost anything, with the right cables/adapters. The first cable/adapter you attach specializes the port to one particular purpose, usually a more narrow subset of all it could potentially do.

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User profile for user: Aronis
Aronis Author
User level: Level 1
77 points

Oct 10, 2020 9:31 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

At my work place the network is pretty locked down. For example cannot use a Apple home pod because it’s ONLY network accessible and that device is blocked. The network by security necessity is locked down. So adding a WiFi printer is not possible. Anyway I have a very nice Brothers printer that does not support WiFi printing. So I have to buy a new printer because Apple said too bad Upgrade?


I’ll find a good dock which corrects the lack of recent backward compatibility. And if I want to use my Apple Display I’ll need the adapter too. Once Mac changes to their own CPU it should be interesting to see what other issues are raised.


I used to be a big Apple fan because of great backward compatibility of their software but that’s going away too. I thought it was odd to see the many connectors on iMacs but realized people still used the older devices. My current two iMac 27 are both connected to 27 in Apple displays. But newer Macs need adapters.


bottom line. If I’m growing to buy a maxed out MacBook Pro 16 for $8000 it should COME WITH THE ADAPTER so I can use my USB stuff.


Mike



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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
140,255 points

Oct 10, 2020 11:29 AM in response to Aronis

Wi-Fi is a simple and convenient way to connect modest-speed devices to your network.


If your network Admin refuses to allow additional device to be connected, that is a separable issue.


LOTS of users have Wi-Fi Printers and additional device connected. Your Admin seems overly restrictive. A printer is not a security risk and your ADMIN should be hooking it up, not blocking you from doing so..


I prefer an Ethernet connection, but that may be because I am willing to run the Ethernet cables myself.

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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
140,255 points

Oct 10, 2020 12:41 PM in response to Aronis


That 16-in MacBook Pro is the "Muscle Car" of notebook computers. Extremely capable. But Intel was three years late with the processors, and the one that had to be pressed into service there gets hot. If you want to use an external display with the MacBook Pro 16-in, you should know that with 4K displays, the machine gets hot and spins up the fans.


Apple has an event coming upon about a month where they may announce some MacBook Pro changes.


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User profile for user: Phil0124
Phil0124
User level: Level 10
216,842 points

Oct 9, 2020 10:46 AM in response to Aronis

Though Apple does not make any Magsafe style connector for USB ports, there are many 3rd [arty devices you can use that offer the Magnetic connector with a USB port plug. See here: https://www.amazon.com/usb-c-magsafe/s?k=usb+c+magsafe


Apple does offer USB-C adapters to various other connectors should you need one:

USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple

USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter - Apple




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User profile for user: Aronis
Aronis Author
User level: Level 1
77 points

Oct 10, 2020 12:12 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I have several WiFi printers at home. Two epsons and a brother color laser. Work great on WiFi and no issues with connectivity. It’s my work place set up. Not a big deal to get an adapter.


i have seen the one that plugs into two of the usbc connectors and basically adds many types of connections in a hub. But some bad reports on quality. Apple quality is always head and shoulders above others. I’d like to see an Apple made solution that looks good next to the Mac book and is durable.


the 16 looks nice. Was just bummed about only usbC. Ordering soon. Want to put aside all the money before buying. My Air is 5 years old. LOL.


thanks for the feedback.


Mike

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What adapters are people using for USB c to etc.

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