Apple's laptop has a lot, but when it comes to ports, it is lacking. With the MacBook offering a USB-C port, and the MacBook Air and 13in MacBook Pro just two USB-C / Thunderbolt ports, you might be wondering how you will get. Luckily we've got some ideas as to which type of gadget you need to add more ports and plugs.
As the laptop got slimmer, lighter and more compact, sacrifices have been made, the most obvious being that many of the ports we relied on were removed. Gone are the days when you could get an SDXD card slot on your MacBook Pro, with an Ethernet port you're relying on a strong WIFI signal, and if you're still using the old USB assistant then you have to kiss. If you're going to goodbye to them you want a new Mac laptop.
If you want to be able to plug your MacBook into a larger display, a backup hard drive, a mouse and keyboard, and charge it at the same time, then you have a challenge on your hands. But fortunately it is possible to add additional ports to your Mac laptop and show you how.
What are the ports of macbook
When Apple unveiled its ultra-slim MacBook in 2015, the new design created quite a stir. In addition to being grand and small, it came with a heavy price tag and only one connection port - a relatively new USB-C. USB Type C support offers up to 5Gbps transfer in addition to charging.
Then in 2018 Apple introduced a new MacBook Air design with two Vajra 3 ports that double as USB-C (both standards use the same port). These USB-C ports are slightly faster than those offered on MacBooks at up to 10Gbps, and they have the added advantage of Thunderbolt 3, meaning up to 40Gbps.
Like the MacBook Air, the 13in MacBook Pro has two Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports. It is the big brother, the 15in MacBook Pro offers four Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports.
Given that USB-C is relatively new, and Thunderbolt is the domain of creative professionals, you might be wondering what exactly you'll be able to plug into your MacBook.
Luckily you'll still be able to plug in your original USB peripherals, an Ethernet cable, VGA, HDMI, DVI, even a pair of headphones. All you need is an adapter or a hub.
Below we'll see how you can increase your MacBook's connectivity, but before we do, we'll take a quick look at USB C and Thunderbolt 3.
What does USB-C do
USB-C (formerly known as USB Type-C) is a relatively new standard of USB.
As you can see from the MacBook and MacBook Air models - not all USB-C ports are the same. The current MacBook provides only 5Gbps over the generation while the MacBook Air offers 10Gbps. This will probably change when Apple updates the MacBook, but it was so at the time of writing.
There are various uses for USB-C ports. One is that you can power and charge it using your Mac. It is not necessary to have a separate port to plug your power cable.
Another advantage of the USB-C port is that it does not matter which orientation you plug your cable into. If you feel that it is rounded incorrectly every time you plug in a USB-A plug, it will become a distance. remember.
There are various devices that you can plug into USB-C, including hard drives and monitors. You may feel that you do not need it because many devices today are wireless.
There is another difference between USB-C ports on different MacBooks: Only the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro (currently) provide Thunderbolt through the same port.
What does thunderbolt 3 do
Thunderbolt 3 is the result of a partnership between Intel and Apple. Thunderbolt has been around for a long time (although if you are in this game for a long time you can still remember the Firewire that Thunderbolt has replaced).
The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro combine the USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3 (as do all desktop Macs).
While the USB-C on the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro at 10Gbps are on top, the Thunderbolt goes up to 40Gbps.
Like USB-C, there are various devices that use Thunderbolt 3. However, they are attracted to creative professionals, who would benefit from faster transfer speeds.
Adding Ports to Your MacBook
If you're wondering exactly what USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 are, you'll be happy to know that you can plug it into an adapter or hub to make it a more useful port.
We have a different round of the best USB C adapters, hubs, and docs for the MacBook here, but we'll take a look at the various options available below.