USB-C docks for Macs

Mac
#21

I ended up cancelling my order months ago. Has a whiff of vapour ware about it. I believe they will ship eventually, but I think they are probably having more issues with TB3 being so new than they expected. Pretty common when Apple release a new interface from my experience sadly.

Edit: This is why I generally don’t back Kickstarted things for ‘new’ specs etc. I did get sucked in and back a replacement USB-C charger kickstarter that still can’t shipped either… :frowning:

I have been generally quite disappointed with USB-C in real world use. Very unreliable with regard to what outputs are supported. Apple’s implementation or GPU drivers for Display Port over USB-C are definitely not ‘standard’ as I have lots of issues with 3rd party adapters/docks. Feels very “rev a” still sadly. :confused:

#22

Yes, I got mine a couple of weeks ago, working very well.

Here it is in action at work:

IMG_6281.JPG4032×3024 2.57 MB

It’s running 2 external screens and also the MBP pro one at the same time.

#23

Good to hear of experiences with one. What screens (ports) do you have it running?

I would prefer the audio out to be on the back…

#24

That’s awesome that they are actually shipping now @Erwin. Are you using the miniDP video out? What are you driving off it if so? I wanted one as it was my last hope of being able to drive a 30-inch (Dual Link DVI) monitor off my new MacBook Pro as I simply couldn’t get USB-C alternate mode Display Port out to work, even with a USB-C to mDP then the Apple active mDP to Dual Link DVI.

The USB-C alternate mode display port has been incredibly flakey for me with non-Apple docks too. Only Apple’s adapter seems to work, which tells me there’s something proprietary about it. :confused:

The video out ports on your dock are Thunderbolt alternate mode which I’m guessing is more reliable than the USB-C alternate mode (so confusing that Thunderbolt and USB-C both have alternate modes which are display ports, albeit different versions!!).

I have ended up giving up and just keeping my Mac Pro for when I’m at home, and the MacBook 15-inch is just an expensive portable now. Was hoping to replace my Mac Pro with one computer, but the MacBook is just too much of a compromise on the video out front for me (I run 3+ screens on my desk). Maybe NVIDIA eGPU support will come one day… :wink:

For now, the MacBook Pro is for sale in the trading forum as I don’t need that sort of power in my ‘on the road’ Mac. :slight_smile:

#25

Mini-DVI (with non-Apple adaptor to HDMI) and USB-C (with Apple adaptor to DVI).

Works well.

The only issue with the OWC TB dock is that if I don’t use it after a while, it seems to go to “sleep” and there is no on/off switch, and switching it on/off at the socket doesn’t make a difference - you have to literally unplug the power at the back of the dock and replug to restart it. Seems like a fault to me, but otherwise, no issues with it.

#26

I’m so confused by this sentence! :open_mouth: Do you mean the first is Mini DisplayPort to HDMI and the second is USB-C to HDMI to DVI? :grinning:

Yes I agree - that sounds like a firmware update fixable issue hopefully! Or a defective unit?

#27

I think you are right re the first one, and the second is USC-C to DisplayPort.

#28

Just wondering what adapter you use for this (and the possibility to go DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort)??

#29

If Mini DP is your goal, just get one of these: https://www.ebay.com.au/i/162529551630?chn=ps&dispItem=1&ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F705-139619-5960-0%2F2%3Fmpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com.au%252Fi%252F162529551630%253Fchn%253Dps%2526dispItem%253D1%26itemid%3D162529551630%26targetid%3D333868895497%26device%3Dm%26adtype%3Dpla%26googleloc%3D9071210%26poi%3D%26campaignid%3D872146741%26adgroupid%3D42408053885%26rlsatarget%3Dpla-333868895497%26abcId%3D1129026%26merchantid%3D110691361%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIt_CgtqKa1QIVFhSPCh3q8AYCEAQYAiABEgIgcvD_BwE%26ul_ref%3Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Frover.ebay.com.au%25252Frover%25252F%25253Floc%25253Dhttp%2525253A%2525252F%2525252Frover.ebay.com%2525252Frover%2525252F1%2525252F705-139619-5960-0%2525252F2%2525253Fmpre%2525253Dhttps%252525253A%252525252F%252525252Fwww.ebay.com.au%252525252Fi%252525252F162529551630%252525253Fchn%252525253Dps%2525252526dispItem%252525253D1%25252526itemid%2525253D162529551630%25252526targetid%2525253D333868895497%25252526device%2525253Dm%25252526adtype%2525253Dpla%25252526googleloc%2525253D9071210%25252526poi%2525253D%25252526campaignid%2525253D872146741%25252526adgroupid%2525253D42408053885%25252526rlsatarget%2525253Dpla-333868895497%25252526abcId%2525253D1129026%25252526merchantid%2525253D110691361%25252526gclid%2525253DEAIaIQobChMIt_CgtqKa1QIVFhSPCh3q8AYCEAQYAiABEgIgcvD_BwE%252526rvr_id%25253D0%26srcrot%3D705-139619-5960-0%26rvr_id%3D1263206637194

Apple Cinema Display (mDP) connection issues
#30

Thanks. Will give one a try.

#31

Connected the new MBP (Touch Bar) today, and works perfectly…

Anyone aware of an adapter to utilise the Cinema Display power pass through cable?

#32

What cable do you mean by power pass through?

#33

The power from the three in one cable (USB, Mini DisplayPort and power). So an adapter from MagSafe 1 to USB-C for power.

Edit: from what I have read, the MagSafe 1from the Cinema Display does not provide enough power??

#34

Ah - no that’s impossible sadly. You’ll need to use a USB-C power adapter.

#35

Just wondering if you ordered through OWC/MacSales or Macfixit (now clickspot)?

Macfixift are out of stock (have not heard yet on turnaround of new stock), and trying to decide if I should order directly from OWC (listed as preorder, shipping next week)…

[epowermac indicates November availability :open_mouth:]

There are some used thunderbolt 2 docks around, just not sure if these will charge a 2016 MBP (Thunderbolt 3) and I can run two mDP Cinema Displays (one via the dock, one via a USB-C to MDP adapter plugged directly into the MB…

#36

OWC - the device has the OWC logo it as well.

#37

They won’t charge a MacBook Pro. You can’t charge via the TB2->3 adapter. Most USB-C docks can’t charge a 15-inch either - as they only pass through 60w. Thunderbolt 3 docks should be able to provide enough power.

#38

Thanks @Erwin and @jaysee

I will look at OWC