How to connect to DisplayPort and charge?

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Level 1

9 points

How to connect to DisplayPort and charge?

Hi,

I am thinking about buying the new 2016 Macbook.

When I am at home I would like to use it as a desktop machine so I need to be able to plug-in a DisplayPort monitor, USB HDD, wireless dongle for mouse and keyboard, and charge the Macbook at the same time. Is there a USB Type-C dock that would allow me to do this?

The dongle Apple provides is only HDMI (my monitor has HDMI but it's occupied). I thought the USB Type-C implementation supports DisplayPort? It must do as Apple sell a USB Type-C to DisplayPort cable. So why doesn't the dock/adapter provide DisplayPort? DisplayPort is the most versatile as it can be easily and cheaply be converted to HDMI or VGA but you can't do the other way around without an expensive active converter.

Thanks for you help.

MacBook

Posted on Jul 4, 2016 12:07 PM

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Answer 1

Phil0124

Level 10

216,488 points

Jul 4, 2016 9:06 PM in response to SZQSato

There is no such thing as a USB-C to Mini Display Port Cable. from Apple. They have USB-C to USB, USB-C to the Multi HDMI port, and USB-C to Multi VGA.

If you need to use a Mini Display Port display and charge at the same time, you will need a Dock. currently only Dell makes a USB-C dock with Mini display ports.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&sku=450-AE UO

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Answer 2

gobleu

Level 1

9 points

Jul 4, 2016 9:06 PM in response to SZQSato

I recently purchased the kensington sd4600p USB-c dock. It is new but available and it has hdmi and mini-display out. It worked well with my macbook and Dell u2515h. I was getting 1440p at 60hz I was able to use the direct ethernet connection and it charged my macbook. Unfortunately, I cracked the dell's display screen plugging in a cable and so now I am shopping for a new monitor.

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Answer 3

SZQSato Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 4, 2016 9:20 PM in response to Phil0124

Ah... you're right. The Apple Macbook website says "USB-C is a next-generation industry standard that allows charging, data transfer, and video—all in one simple connector... Through this port you can:... Connect video output such as HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort." so I assumed they would provide a means to do so. This will be my first Apple machine so I'm not familiar with their accessories. Thanks

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Answer 4

SZQSato Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 4, 2016 9:32 PM in response to SZQSato

Thanks for the links to the dock. Looks like what I need.

Are these 3rd party docks guaranteed to work? I've read reports that some are incompatible (Windows machines). Even though the USB Type-C is meant to be a standard, there is some incompatibility. Foe example, the respective adapters/docks for the Samsung TabPro S and Huawei Matebook don't work with each other despite being USB Type-C. Not sure if they fiddled with the adapter or the USB Type-C port on the actual machine.

Why are these devices so expensive though? Is there some sort of active conversion going on?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm not well informed in this sort of thing. I'm trying to read up on USB Type-C and USB 3.0/3.1 Gen1/Gen2 but it's all a little confusing.

Thanks.

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Answer 5

Phil0124

Level 10

216,488 points

Jul 5, 2016 7:26 AM in response to SZQSato

Don't know about the other docks, but Dell seems to advertise it as having universal support. And most articles I've read about it, mention it should work with the MacBook correctly.

http://www.slashgear.com/dell-outs-usb-c-and-thunderbolt-3-docks-and-macs-can-pl ay-too-06420821/

The USB-C specification does support Display Port, its just that Apple has not yet made an adapter available for that.

As to the other Docks, Where did you see it mentioned that the Huawei MateDock would only work with the Huawei tablet?

The Galaxy Tab Dock on the other hand, is technically shaped to fit the Galaxy tab, so probably other tablets of slightly different shapes and dimensions may not fit in the dock physically.

http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/mobile-devices/accessories/others/EDD-D1B1BEG STD

As you say USB-C is a standard, and most connections should work.

As to price, its a pretty new tech, and most manufacturers are scrambling to make connectors. So demand is high, but supply is low.

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Answer 6

SZQSato Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 5, 2016 8:14 AM in response to Phil0124

Hi Phil,

The Dell one is no longer an option as Dell say "The docking station does not support HDCP content" which is bizzare. HDCP was implemented many years ago. I guess it's business orientated (http://www.dell.com/support/article/ht/en/htdhs1/SLN301075) and they thought it's not required.

As for the Huawei MateDock, it may work with other devices but the following review states "There must be something different about USB-C chargers though since the Samsung USB-C charger does not work with the Huawei MateBook and Huawei’s USB-C charger does not work with the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S. The Microsoft Lumia Display Dock isn’t compatible here either. I thought USB-C was supposed to be a great new standard peripheral interface...". I may have misread it though. Maybe the reviewer is referring to the cable only and not the dock? (http://pocketnow.com/2016/06/28/huawei-matebook-review).

I think that Galaxy Tab Dock is for an Android tablet, sorry. I meant the Multiport Adapter (http://www.samsung.com/us/business/mobility/tablet-accessories/EE-PW700BWEGUJ)

That Kensington dock seems great but it's way over my budget.

There's one called Marble (http://marble.mofily.com/) that is more reasonable but it's one of those KickStarter/Indiegogo projects and won't be available until October.

Thanks

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Answer 7

Phil0124

Level 10

216,488 points

Jul 5, 2016 8:55 AM in response to SZQSato

Yeah, having read that, I'm not sure how they are incompatible either.It just states they don't work, but does not go into detail about what does not work exactly.

I guess at this point, its a question of testing what works and what doesn't.

And yes, the Dell dock does not support HDCP content for some reason. So yea playing movies onto the external display may not be an option

USB-C is still very much in its infancy, so it will be a question of waiting for more docks, or adapters to show up and see what compatibility they offer.

That Marble one looks promising.

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Answer 8

Phil0124

Level 10

216,488 points

Jul 4, 2016 1:54 PM in response to Phil0124

I stand corrected.

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