I bought this Cable Matters cable for $7.įor reasons that go beyond the scope of this post, I use a wireless keyboard and a wired mouse. The mic cable is detachable it plugs into a USB-B port on the mic itself and terminates as USB-A. This means I simply needed a USB-B -> USB-C cable to replace the existing cable, which I can plug directly into the mic and the new MacBook Pro. My Rode Podcaster microphone, which I use to record 9to5Mac’s Happy Hour podcast every week, currently connects via USB-A to my 2012 MacBook Pro. I was initially thinking that I would need a USB-C dongle to attach to the end of this, but it isn’t actually necessary. (I bought this before Apple’s USB-C adaptor price cut, see below). Outside of work, I never connect my devices with a cable so I’m not even sure this would have been a priority purchase for me: I use iCloud and Wi-Fi for syncing data and apps, and I charge with the array of iPhone power adaptors and docks that I already own. I bought this USB-C to full-size DisplayPort dongle for $12.Īs a developer, I connect iOS devices frequently to the Mac using a wire so I picked up a Lightning to USB-C cable for development. My display does not have USB-C inputs so I needed a DisplayPort dongle. Currently, I do this using a mini DisplayPort cable which is not compatible with the 2016 MacBook Pro on its own. This happens at a desk connected to an external display. I use my MacBook Pro during the week as my primary computer. I was initially thinking that this was going to be a significant hassle (albeit a necessary tradeoff as part of being a Touch Bar early adopter) but after buying everything, it really doesn’t seem that bad. Having not owned either generation of the USB-C Retina MacBooks, I pretty much started from scratch in terms of USB-C accessories. To be ready for the new MacBook Pro (I ordered the base 15-inch Touch Bar model), I’ve already bought the dongles I need to do my work. After seeing it all laid out on the table, I generally feel like the negative criticism is overblown … In preparation for my new MacBook Pro arriving, I’ve ordered what I think I will need in terms of dongles for my uses. Although the ports are highly more capable, offering Thunderbolt 3 speeds on a reversible small connector, it effectively means that all current Mac accessories and peripherals are incompatible without some kind of adaptor.

Following in the footsteps of the one-port Retina MacBook, the new 2016 MacBook Pro lacks traditional USB-A ports, instead featuring up to four USB-C ports.

The new MacBook Pros have certainly caused an uprising of controversy, with perhaps the lack of any traditional USB ports causing the most public outcry.

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