Will the new usb-c communicate with my old 2011 usb devices? Specifically I have a dj mixer from 2011 I still use. It has the old usb male cable I plug into my 2011 MacBook. But now the 2022 MacBook I’m shopping has usb-c. I’ll need new adapters and cable I figure but how will that translate with my mixer or backup hard drives which are all the old original usb??
MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13
The M1 laptop's USB-C ports support both Thunderbolt 3 and USB3 protocols. With the correct adapter or dock you can connect the older USB-A style cables.
If the DJ mixer requires drivers to work with macOS, then you need to make sure the drivers are compatible with macOS Monterey and M1 Macs.
FYI, these forums are full of reports that many USB3 drives are not currently compatible with macOS Monterey most likely due to an incompatibility with certain USB chipsets. If the DJ mixer happens to use one of the currently incompatible chipsets, then it may not work until Apple fixes macOS.
If the Intel Mac can run Big Sur, then it should bypass the current compatibility issue Monterey has with certain USB chipsets.
However, you still need to make sure the DJ Mixer is compatible with the version of macOS available on the Intel Mac. This is the most important part regardless of having an Intel or M1 Mac. Beginning with macOS 10.15+ 32 bit apps are no longer supported so make sure the DJ mixer software:
32-bit app compatibility with macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 and later - Apple Support
If the DJ mixer software is a 32 bit app, then you will either need to use a newer 64 bit version of the app or you will need to find some other alternative software.
In theory if there is a proprietary Intel 64 bit app/driver for using the DJ mixer, then it should also work on an M1 Mac when using Rosetta, but drivers can be quite finicky sometimes so there is no guarantee unless the manufacturer of the DJ mixer software has updated the app for use on an M1 Mac.
If you need to install Rosetta on your Mac - Apple Support
You definitely need to check with the manufacturer of the DJ mixer to see if the hardware and software is compatible with later versions of macOS and Mac hardware.
I have my eye on a 10th gen intel i5 as well. Will that be a better option for my situation? I’m updating from a 2011 MacBook doing some dj mixing so the 16gb 1tb hd option is similar to what I have but will the intel chip be more comparable then since it’s what I have now?
Usb to Usb-c concerns
