9 USB-C accessories to give your new gadgets a boost
Ready or not, USB-C is the port of the future. 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.
See also: 6 USB-C accessories that'll let your new MacBook actually connect to stuff
There weren't too many USB-C accessories you could buy last year or even six months ago, now there are all kinds of options from many companies. We've rounded up the best USB-C accessories that will help you be more productive or give you back the ports you 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 ($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 $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 ($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 $6.99, but the better deal is the 2-pack ($7.99). There's also a 4-pack ($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 ($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 monitors
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 $499.99.
The Lenovo ThinkVision X24 Pro features a 23.8-inch IPS full HD display (1,920 x 1,080) and starts at $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 in March.
6. Samsung Portable T3 SSD
Image: Samsung
USB-C portable hard drives, flash drives and solid-state drives will be commonplace within the next year. The mightiest of them all may be Samsung's Portable T3 SSD. With a slick aluminum enclosure, storage from 250GB up to 2TB, a blazing fast 450MB/s transfer rate via USB 3.1 and AES 256-bit hardware encryption for Windows and Android devices, the T3 will be a staple for any road warrior. It starts at $130 (250GB), but the 2TB model will set you back $850.
7. Monoprice USB-C
Wireless streaming like with the MacBook's AirPlay (with Apple TV) feature may make for a less cluttered setup, but nothing beats a good wired connection for reliability. Monoprice's USB-C male to HDMI female adapter ($36.48 on Amazon) plugs into your laptop's USB-C port and takes a full-sized HDMIR cable through the other end. Mirroring your laptop to an external monitor or TV doesn't get easier than this.
8. Anker USB 3.0 and Ethernet adapter hub
Unless you plan to go completely wireless, you'll likely still need to plug a bunch of USB accessories into your new laptop rocking a USB-C port. Anker's three-port USB 3.0 hub with Ethernet port ($17.99 on Amazon) will do the trick for cheap. If you don't need the Ethernet port, there's also a model with four USB ports ($17.99). Take your pick!
9. Monoprice USB-C microSD reader
Need to transfer photos or videos from your Android smartphone or tablet fast using a microSD card? Monoprice's USB-C microSD reader ($15.99 on Amazon) is a simple solution. Just stick your microSD card (up to 128GB) into the reader's slot and plug the USB-C half into your computer and you'll be downloading your content in seconds.
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Video: Rill Causey, Quincy Ledbetter
