I recently replaced my four year old 11” MacBook Air with a new (but refurbished) 12” MacBook. It’s nice to be using something that’s practically new. The controversial butterfly keyboard? I think mine is a redesign, because it’s fantastic. The keys have a very short travel, no see-sawing wiggle, and a satisfying sound.
But here’s the thing that really mystified me. Aside from the headphone jack, the only wired IO you get is one USB-C port. One single port. It’s for all external USB devices you might need and also for external video. But it’s also how you charge the laptop.
So how do I charge my laptop while plugged in to the 25” HP monitor on my desk at work, or our 55” TV in the conference room? Am I to choose between external displays and being plugged in to power?
Long story short, I got an adapter. It goes in to my single USB-C and it has three ports: one standard USB-A, one HDMI, and one USB-C. Miraculously, my laptop can receive charge through the adapters USB-C port while pushing video out the HDMI.
I’m trying to get my mind around what Apple was thinking here. Most folks will probably just say “they did that so you’d have to buy their adapter.” But everything I understand about the way Apple makes design decisions tells me that there definitely has to be more to it. But what?
One thing they’re doing is pushing their products–and their customers–toward wireless solutions. Wireless keyboards, wireless mice, wireless phone charging, wireless streaming to TVs, and more. When I got my iPhone Xs I decided not to fight the future. It came with no headphone jack, but a lightning to headphone adapter. I never even plugged it in. Instead I got AirPods. (So good. I really recommend.)
Another reason they might have chosen to put the single USB-C port is that they’re using it to differentiate between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro. You want a lot of IO ports? Then get a Pro.
So yeah, I bought an adapter. Just like everyone else will do when they bump up against this issue. Apple will sell you one for $60. But, also like everyone else will do, I bought a third party one on Amazon for $40. Now I can charge and use my external display at the same time.
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Type-C-HDMI-Multiport-Adapter/dp/B01LYJQ5ZD/
One cool thing, though. I’ve always been a fan of having at least two power supplies for my laptop. I leave one at work and one at home. It’s always been well worth the $70 or $80 for that second one. But now that Apple is using USB-C to charge, it doesn’t feel so risky getting third party power supplies. I mean, what exactly is some Chinese factory going to get wrong about a standard wall plug and a standard USB port? So I got one off Amazon for $32. At that price I might get a third just to keep in my bag.