Monday, March 21, 2016

The USB-C Accessories

USB-C Options
The smatphone-consuming, laptop-munching and tablet-hungry users should be ready for the the port of the future - USB-C. There weren't many devices with the new, tiny, reversible USB-C port this time last year, but that's quickly changing.

Joining Apple's new MacBook and Google's Chromebook Pixel 2 are Dell's XPS 12, XPS 13, XPS 15 and Latitude 7000 series laptops with USB-C ports. Smartphones like the OnePlus 2 and Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are also paving the way towards USB-C's one port to rule them all dream, with many more planning to adopt the new port this year.

There weren't too many USB-C accessories anyone could buy last year or even six months ago, now there are all kinds of options from many companies. Here are some of best USB-C accessories that could help users be more productive or give them back the ports they lost:
  1. Satechi Type-C Combo Hub
    The one major flaw to many early USB-C hubs was the lack of a USB-C pass-through port for simultaneous charging. The Satechi Type-C Combo Hub (US$ 44.99 on Amazon) has the pass-through charging port, two USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot and a microSD card slot. (Be careful not to get it mixed up with the original model without the pass-through USB-C charging port US$ 34.99, unless that's actually what you want.)
  2. Griffin BreakSafe
    If you've ever tripped over your MacBook's cable, you'll know that the MagSafe charging connector is a godsend. The loss of the magnetic MagSafe charging connector on the new MacBook is truly a step backwards.

    Griffin's BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable (US$ 39.99) brings back the handy magnetic breakaway mechanism. It comes with a 6-foot USB-C cable and works with all devices equipped with USB-C ports.
  3. TechMatte USB-C to Micro USB Adapters
    Moving forward, the majority of smartphones and tablets will sport USB-C ports instead of Micro USB. That doesn't mean you should throw away your soon-to-be-obsolete Micro USB cables away. Give them a second life with these USB-C to Micro USB adapters. TechMatte sells a single adapter for US$ 6.99, but the better deal is the 2-pack (US$ 7.99). There's also a 4-pack (US$ 16.99), but you'll save two bucks buying two 2-packs.
  4. Dell HDMI/VGA/Ethernet/USB hub
    We know legacy ports are difficult to ditch. If you absolutely need a VGA port and Ethernet, this Dell USB-C hub (US$ 69.20 on Amazon) has them both, plus an HDMI port and a USB 3.0 port. The HDMi port supports up to 2,408 x 1,152 resolution and VGA supports up to 1,600 x 1,200.
  5. Lenovo and Acer USB-C Monitor
    HDMI, VGA, Mini DisplayPort and whatever video output port you're using is going to be replaced by USB-C. Acer and Lenovo wasted no time at CES announcing new monitors that support USB-C.

    Acer new H7 monitors will come in 25- and 27-inch models and sport 2,560 x 1,440 resolutions. The displays will charge, display video and transfer data. They start at US$ 499.99.

    The Lenovo ThinkVision X24 Pro features a 23.8-inch IPS full HD display (1,920 x 1,080) and starts at US$ 399. The ThinkVision X1 is a $799 27-inch monitor with 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160) at 60Hz and has a slim 0.29-inch profile and bezels that are only 0.07 inches thick. The X24 Pro will be out in May and the X1 this March.

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