When rumors first started to circulate that Apple was going to introduce a new notebook with just one port on it, the inevitable questions cropped up. How would it charge? How would you connect a monitor? Has Apple gone completely bonkers?
Well, no, it hasn’t actually. The newly announced 12-inch Retina MacBook does indeed have just the one USB Type-C port, and that means that Apple has also had to launch a whole host of adapters and cables to go alongside it. As you might expect, none of these are free so be sure to add their cost onto the price of the aforementioned MacBook when you’re speccing one out.
USB-C to USB Adapter
The accessories that are going to be available for the new notebook range from a $19 USB-C to USB Adapter that will allow any normal USB cable to be plugged into the MacBook’s new Type-C connector. That means you will need one of these if you want to sync and charge, say, an iPhone off the new notebook. You’re going to want at least one of these, we expect.
USB-C Charge Cable
Beyond that there is a 2-meter USB-C Charge Cable that will set you back $29. This allows you to charge the new MacBook and has a USB-C connector on both of its ends. It also supports USB 2 for syncing, according to Apple.
USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter / USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
Those needing to plug their new MacBook into a monitor may want to check out the $79 USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter or USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. Both have ports for USB-C, and standard USB but the difference between the two is that the former sports a VGA port and the latter an HDMI port.
USB-C Power Adapter
There is also a 29w USB-C Power Adapter available for $49, though it does not include any USB-C charging cables. So yeah, you’ll need one of those as well.
We knew that the arrival of USB-C connectors would mean new cables and adaptors, but the new MacBook’s lack of multiple ports or any standard USB options means the impact is likely to be felt more keenly than we may have hoped. Still, if you want to have a notebook that’s lighter than Air and looks like this thing does, well, it’s a small price to pay.
Well, it’s a hefty one but still, you get our drift.
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