For several years now, I have been spending most of the day at the MacBook, and during this time I realized that a laptop is the same portable gadget as a smartphone, respectively, if you get a couple of useful accessories, you can work on it even more productively. Moreover, a lot has changed for me in 2020, when I bought a MacBook Pro 13, which has only two USB-C ports and an audio-out connector. It was worth waiting for the release of the model on the M1, but I could no longer work on my old MacBook in 2013. But in both cases, two ports, one of which is busy with charging, is not enough for me. Since then, I have discovered the world of MacBook accessories, which, as it turns out, is no less than the same for the iPhone.
USB-A to USB-C adapter for Mac
The first problem I ran into was the lack of USB-A ports like in old MacBooks. All my external drives, card readers, flash drives, and other accessories cannot connect to a computer with USB-C without adapters. As a result, at first, I used such an adapter from USB-C to USB-A, it completely suited me, and for 200 rubles it is generally a real gift.
Which USB hub for MacBook to choose
But then I began to get into situations where it was necessary to connect two drives at the same time or download something from a USB flash drive to an external drive. I didn’t bother with a bunch of adapters and solved the problem with an external USB hub from Satechi, which I already talked about earlier. He still does his job and looks cool, aluminum and all the cases.
But my advice is – it’s better not to buy USB hubs for MacBooks that connect close to the laptop, that is, they do not have a cable, like mine. When you work at a computer, your hand still involuntarily falls into the area where the hub is connected, and it heats up very much. And I highly doubt this is useful for the ports of the MacBook itself. Moreover, connecting to two USB-C ports at once has its drawbacks: it is enough to accidentally touch the device, and, for example, an external drive may turn off, data transfer will stop. I downloaded almost 200 GB like that and was very upset when, almost at the last stage, the hub picked up and disconnected.
In the end, my choice is a USB hub for the MacBook with a cable like the one from Ugreen, which I already ordered. There are two USB 3.0 ports, a USB-C connector for charging, there are slots for TF and SD and HDMI memory cards if you need to connect the laptop to an external monitor. Plus, this hub can be placed further away so it doesn’t get in the way. Why Ugreen? Firstly, this brand has long been on Ali and has already established itself; he is one of the few who makes Apple (MFi) certified iPhone accessories. Secondly, hundreds of positive reviews. And thirdly, this hub is 3 (!) Times cheaper (I have not sealed myself now, Satechi actually cost 6,500 rubles).
Magnetic charger for MacBook
Even though I swapped out my old MacBook for a new one, what I really miss on a USB-C MacBook Pro is the good old MagSafe. Yes, when you accidentally touch the wire, and it simply comes off the laptop, instead of the computer itself flying to the floor. Of course, Chinese craftsmen have long found a way out and make various adapters, but I would not trust anyone to charge my MacBook.
Another thing is the same Baseus, which produces a rather expensive but reliable magnetic adapter for the MacBook. Everything is very simple: one part of the adapter is inserted into the MacBook, and in the second we insert the charging cable (USB-C). That’s it, now if you or your pets accidentally hit it, the wire will simply unfasten.
The adapter itself is not as simple as it seems, so do not be surprised that they ask for 800 rubles for it . There is a voltage control chip and almost a mini-computer for fast and reliable charging. Cheap adapters for 100-200 rubles cannot boast of this, and it is better not to save on safety.
External battery for MacBook
I understand that with the release of MacBooks with an M1 chip, this issue is not so relevant, but most continue to use Apple laptops of previous generations. My last MacBook Pro, for example, after 5 years already held a charge for a maximum of 2.5-3 hours, and it was simply impossible to leave with it to work in the park or somewhere else. So a laptop power bank is not a luxury at all, but a necessity for many.
I was looking for something not too expensive, but at the same time that there was a charging power of 65 W, and there were not many options. You can share in the comments if you have something like this in mind. I liked this external battery from Baseus for 30,000 mAh. Yes, it is large and weighs almost 500 grams, but with its help, you can charge everything that you have with you. You can connect up to 4 wires to it with a regular USB (there is support for charging sister) or 1 USB-C wire. And most importantly, the power is 65 watts.
How to charge your MacBook
In the last collection, I mentioned the Baseus charging adapter, which is not only small but can also charge a MacBook and two more devices (not simultaneously). But when I was looking for a third-party charger for my MacBook (I constantly forget my “native” at home), my eyes fell on the charger from Ugreen. They can charge MacBook Pro 13 up to 100% in 1.5 hours (maximum power 65W), there are 3 outputs on USB-C and one on regular USB. All outputs support fast charging. The only thing I would like is two regular USBs instead of one since they are still needed more than USB-C.
Considering the good reputation of Ugreen and the price of 3,000 rubles, the choice is obvious. A similar charger from Apple costs almost twice as much, and there is only one way out (USB-C).
