Macbook Air M1 Accesories

[hardusb]

HI,

I eventually decided and got a M1 Macbook Air, but the base model, its only temporary for a year or so I want to wait till the newer Macbooks come out then upgrade.

I ran into a small issue now already with accessories and just need some advice on supported accessories, I know the M1 is Apple silicon and different than normal macbooks.

I have the following accessories which works fine:

MTVN USBC adaptor with HDMI, 2 x USB3, 1 x PC charge port
NXTech USB C adaptor with 2 x HDMI, 1 x USB3, 1 x PD port.

The following adaptor dont work.

J5 Create USB3 to Gigabit Ethernet Adaptor.

When I installed the provided drivers which does specify apple silicone you get a app with some service you need to start then every time I need to go allow the extension in the settings, I havent fully tested it yet but when I deactivate it in the app, the thing crashes.

Im looking for advice on these 2 adaptors, not looking for all in one adaptors, but the single ones:

USBc / thunderbolt to VGA

USBc / thunderbolt to Ethernet

Im not looking to jump through loops and hoops to get the adaptors working, they need to be plug n play.

I found this adaptors but need to know if it will work before buying it:

Cables & Adapters

Buy Cables & Adapters online at the Best Prices! Door to Door and Overnight Delivery. Voted the best online store in SA. View Here

www.geewiz.co.za

Makro Online Site | Makro South Africa | Never Miss a Deal. Get the Best Deals

WIll all USBC accesories work?

 

[Tman*]

You are overcomplicating things, and will most probably run into more complications and compatibility issues as you buy more of these adapters.

Read this thread: https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/m1-macbook-pro-connect-2-monitors.1147908/

Get a Dell Dock

 

[prod]

How many dongles do you want to carry around ?

I have this one: https://www.takealot.com/anker-555-usb-c-pd-powerexpand-hub-8-in-1/PLID91582391

And have been using it on my M1 Air ( and M1 Pro now) for around 2 years without any issue whatsoever

 

[hardusb]

How many dongles do you want to carry around ?

I dont use everything all at once and need to be portable, got a little collection of accessories I carry in my laptop bag, the J5create dongle is a bit big anyway, also a reason to replace it. Some of these dongles I dont use regularly, just need to have that function when I need it. I go into the office once a week and theres a VGA monitor at the desk I sit I hook up to, currently I use my USBC to HDMi adaptor and a HDMI to VGA, just need to simplify that. Now and then I need to use a ethernet adaptor, very rare occasions.

I have this one: https://www.takealot.com/anker-555-usb-c-pd-powerexpand-hub-8-in-1/PLID91582391

And have been using it on my M1 Air ( and M1 Pro now) for around 2 years without any issue whatsoever

A bit expensive this one.

You are overcomplicating things, and will most probably run into more complications and compatibility issues as you buy more of these adapters.

Read this thread: https://mybroadband.co.za/forum/threads/m1-macbook-pro-connect-2-monitors.1147908/

Get a Dell Dock

I want to eventually get a dell dock later on for use at home, but dont have a second monitor now, space is limited, used to have 2 screens with my previous laptop but it just takes up too much space where I am now. When I move to a better place sometime I will definitely get the Dell dock, I did see that thread previously, its got the displaylink tech in.

 

[Fury05]

I got this one for R599 a few months ago for my M1 Air. Works, never had any issues yet: https://www.takealot.com/volkano-core-multi-series-multiport-usb-type-c-dock/PLID54712543

 

[hardusb]

Thanks,

Maybe better question will be, which USBC dongles / docks did anyone have issues with an M1 Macbook? Sofar the ones people recommended has no special specs except that they USBC? Im trying to find the smaller more slimline ones, less space they take the better.

 

[bwana]

My needs were simple so I got this: https://www.takealot.com/uni-usb-c-...-c-to-hdmi-gigabit-ethernet-3-x-/PLID90245510

 

[RedViking]

Dell makes the best docks on the planet. But they are not cheap. I can't gaurentee it will work with you mac, but this is a flippen good price:

www.takealot.com/dell-thunderbolt-dock-wd19tbs-180w-210-azbv/PLID90594271

 

[hardusb]

Dell makes the best docks on the planet. But they are not cheap. I can't gaurentee it will work with you mac, but this is a flippen good price:

www.takealot.com/dell-thunderbolt-dock-wd19tbs-180w-210-azbv/PLID90594271

I did some research on the docks and the Dell D3100 does the job, many people have been recommending it over the internet.

 

[RedViking]

I did some research on the docks and the Dell D3100 does the job, many people have been recommending it over the internet.

How do you connect it? Does your laptop take USB-3 ?

 

[PhoenixEnergy]

Why so complicated?

How many monitors do you want to connect?

I have been using this since December last year when I got my M1 Pro

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

 

[hardusb]

How do you connect it? Does your laptop take USB-3 ?

It uses a USB 3.0 – 9 pin USB Type B connector, so you will use a usbc-USB 3.0 – 9 pin USB Type B cable, I got a USBC to USB3 External Hdd cable for my hard drives.

Why so complicated?

Probably my fault for not asking the question the right way and giving too much detail

I was actually just checking on others's experience on which USBC dongles work and which dont, thus far I havent heard of any not working, so its safe to say most USB C dongles works.

Just need 2 extra dongles, Ethernet and VGA.

How many monitors do you want to connect?

I have been using this since December last year when I got my M1 Pro

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

At the moment just one but int he future Ill get a dock to connect 2 external monitors.

 

[bwana]

Dell makes the best docks on the planet. But they are not cheap. I can't gaurentee it will work with you mac, but this is a flippen good price:

www.takealot.com/dell-thunderbolt-dock-wd19tbs-180w-210-azbv/PLID90594271

Basically the one thing he is looking for?

 

[hardusb]

I found these:

This one will solve my VGA need, I can "Archive" my other HDMI dongle, this one will provide me with HDMI, VGA and 1 Normal USB 3 port.

Makro Online Site | Makro South Africa | Never Miss a Deal. Get the Best Deals

This one will solve my ethernet need:

Makro Online Site | Makro South Africa | Never Miss a Deal. Get the Best Deals

This one will do all in one but dont know the Powerlogic brand, only states the brand name on the image of the product, not in the description.

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

 

[hardusb]

I found this one also now and called D-Link themselves and they confirmed this is compatible ti the M1 Macbooks, rather pay a bit more then with the manufacturer being in the country and support being available on their products:

D-Link DUB-M910 9-in-1 USB-C Hub

D-Link DUB-M910 9-in-1 USB-C Hub and other D-Link products available at FirstShop South-Africa. Price, availability and reviews for D-Link DUB-M910

www.firstshop.co.za

Im not going to use the VGA and HDMI at the same time so it will work 100%.

 

[RedViking]

Basically the one thing he is looking for?

Ok

 

[$m@Rt@$$]

Dell makes the best docks on the planet. But they are not cheap. I can't gaurentee it will work with you mac, but this is a flippen good price:

www.takealot.com/dell-thunderbolt-dock-wd19tbs-180w-210-azbv/PLID90594271

I have one of these, works a charm with M1. Zero config. External displays, ethernet, the lot.

 

[RedViking]

I have one of these, works a charm with M1. Zero config. External displays, ethernet, the lot.

I can't see why it won't work. It has an insane amount of power and thunderbolt. I won't mess around with a USB 3 Dock. Could always send it back if it does not work.

 

[bwana]

My Anker 6-in-1 hub died recently so I ended up having to replace it with this - anyone ever heard of Benfei?

Benfei USB-C 6-In-1 Docking Station with HDMI 4K 60Hz, 2X USB-A 3.0 5Gbps + 1X USB-C Port, Grey : Amazon.co.za: Electronics

Benfei USB-C 6-In-1 Docking Station with HDMI 4K 60Hz, 2X USB-A 3.0 5Gbps + 1X USB-C Port, Grey : Amazon.co.za: Electronics

www.amazon.co.za

 

[bwana]

My Anker 6-in-1 hub died recently so I ended up having to replace it with this - anyone ever heard of Benfei?

Benfei USB-C 6-In-1 Docking Station with HDMI 4K 60Hz, 2X USB-A 3.0 5Gbps + 1X USB-C Port, Grey : Amazon.co.za: Electronics

Benfei USB-C 6-In-1 Docking Station with HDMI 4K 60Hz, 2X USB-A 3.0 5Gbps + 1X USB-C Port, Grey : Amazon.co.za: Electronics

www.amazon.co.za

So... this broke.

Next up - Belkin

Belkin CONNECT USB-C™ to 4-Port USB-C Hub, Multiport Adapter Dongle with 4 USB-C 3.2 Gen2 Ports & 100W PD with Max 10Gbps High Speed Data Transfer for MacBook, iPad, Chromebook, PC, and More : Amazon.co.za: Electronics

Belkin CONNECT USB-C™ to 4-Port USB-C Hub, Multiport Adapter Dongle with 4 USB-C 3.2 Gen2 Ports & 100W PD with Max 10Gbps High Speed Data Transfer for MacBook, iPad, Chromebook, PC, and More : Amazon.co.za: Electronics

amzn.eu