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0 pointsbayindirh3y ago0 comments

Actually they have a simple USB-C break-out adapter which has a USB-A port, an HDMI port and power-in. It works extremely well. You can connect it to a USB3.0 hub to get a lot of ports. I leave it at my office desk for day to day operation.

If you want a proper docking station, a higher end Dell monitor [0] will do with USB-C, display daisy chain and USB-PD. It'll enable single cable connectivity to anything you care, sans ethernet, which can be attached to the monitor's USB hub, if you really need.

For my mobility needs, I use a Kingston Nucleum [1] since I don't care about Ethernet, but about fast card readers. It also supports 60W USB-PD, which is ample for a MacBook Air M1. That thing is really high quality.

[0]: https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-4k-u...

[1]: https://www.kingston.com/en/memory-card-readers/nucleum-usb-...

0 comments

jd33y ago

This is the ideal setup, imo. I know it's pricey due to the Apple markup, but I just expensed it through my job.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MUF82AM/A/usb-c-digital-a...

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HJKF2ZM/A/belkin-usb-c-to...

https://us.anker.com/products/a7516?variant=40237697171606

valleyjo3y ago

The newest Dell monitors have Ethernet built in. I just got a 16:10 U3023 and have been using it a hub / dock. No issues yet.

kevin_thibedeau3y ago

There's nothing like having to do Johnny Mnemonic cosplay because a manufacturer won't let their product be sullied with holes.

bayindirhOP3y ago

I don't think a MacBook Air M1 has a lot places to add ports [0]. The latest generation of MacBook Pros bring a lot of the ports back [1], so that point doesn't hold anymore.

Also, of all the MacBook Air users I know, I'm the heaviest user in terms of processor load, and given that it's the company computer, it wouldn't be my first choice for a personal MacBook (in fact, I have a personal MacBook Pro).

At the end of the day, having a featherweight computer which can do all my work related tasks and some heavier stuff and doesn't needs its charger and ports most of the time is really a spoiling thing. However, for heavy development and photographic work, nothing beats on board ports and a bigger screen.

[0]: https://www.apple.com/v/macbook-air/n/images/specs/mba_charg...

[1]: https://images.macrumors.com/t/MsiVifkTbdhdqh2z2tvJZXIuH80=/...

Dylan168073y ago

Looks like there's enough room for USB A ports to me. They're not massively thicker.

HDMI would require curving the bottom differently but would easily fit in a laptop of that thickness.

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