MacBook Pro Peripheral Connections?

Started by Chumly, June 12, 2020, 12:54:52 PM

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Chumly

I just bought a used 2017 MacBook Pro 13-inch,Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD.  Although I have lots of experience with hardware and software with PC laptops, I have none with a MacBook Pro.  If I was to use my existing Roland Octa-Capture and Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 interfaces, and I was to use my existing Bluetooth Logitech keyboard and mouse, plus add my two existing HDMI 17" LCD monitors, plus maybe other peripherals (USB and Bluetooth gear as used on my PC's), what is the best / most cost effective way to go about this so I do not buy a bunch of redundant dongles, adapters, hubs, cables, etc?

Note that I do not have to use the existing gear I mentioned above, if it's not cost effective, for example it might be more practical to simply get one LCD monitor that can plug directly into my MacBook Pro, then to fuss around with trying to connect my two existing two HDMI 17" LCD monitors.

Much obliged!
I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong. - Richard P. Feynman

sixeight

Best solution is to get a docking station with all the ports you need.

GuitarBuilder

"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

admin

Quote from: Chumly on June 12, 2020, 12:54:52 PM
I just bought a used 2017 MacBook Pro 13-inch,Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD.  Although I have lots of experience with hardware and software with PC laptops, I have none with a MacBook Pro.  If I was to use my existing Roland Octa-Capture and Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 interfaces, and I was to use my existing Bluetooth Logitech keyboard and mouse, plus add my two existing HDMI 17" LCD monitors, plus maybe other peripherals (USB and Bluetooth gear as used on my PC's), what is the best / most cost effective way to go about this so I do not buy a bunch of redundant dongles, adapters, hubs, cables, etc?

Note that I do not have to use the existing gear I mentioned above, if it's not cost effective, for example it might be more practical to simply get one LCD monitor that can plug directly into my MacBook Pro, then to fuss around with trying to connect my two existing two HDMI 17" LCD monitors.

Much obliged!

https://9to5mac.com/2017/05/12/satechis-new-pro-hub-expands-2016-macbook-pro-past-usb-c-ports/




$79
https://www.amazon.com/Satechi-Aluminum-Type-C-Adapter-Thunderbolt/dp/B06XRVX3XM/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Satechi+Type-C+Pro+Hub&qid=1592075805&sr=8-3

vtgearhead

Looking for a Thunderbolt 2 dock / port-expander for a mid-2015 Macbook Pro.  Cannot find on Amazon or Newegg (all TB3 and USB-C).  Very expensive on eBay.  Are these really unobtanium in 2020?

aliensporebomb

I've found the same thing - the Mac I run has thunderbolt2 and if I upgrade, I'd then be stuck with a dock that won't work as quickly as a TB3 dock with a TB3 mac.  There was one at a local store that I was going to try picking it up at the last possible second but someone else had the same idea.  Oy.   
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

Chumly

I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong. - Richard P. Feynman


Matteo Barducci

I have an OWC TB2 dock that wortks flawlessly with my iMac late 2015 and Apollo 8 interface.

However, TB2 is a dead horse. Nowadays, you find a lot of TB3(aka USB 4.0, as standardized now)/USB-C peripherals and great docks like the Caldigit.
--

---> Matteo Barducci

vtgearhead

Quote from: matbard on June 17, 2020, 05:14:33 AM
I have an OWC TB2 dock that wortks flawlessly with my iMac late 2015 and Apollo 8 interface.

However, TB2 is a dead horse. Nowadays, you find a lot of TB3(aka USB 4.0, as standardized now)/USB-C peripherals and great docks like the Caldigit.

Right, but is that compatible with a mid-2015 Macbook Pro equipped with TB 2?

Matteo Barducci

With TB2 - assuming the OWC dock that I have is out of stock - you have to buy an AkiTio Thunder 2 dock:

https://www.akitio.com/adapters/thunder2-dock
--

---> Matteo Barducci

vtgearhead

Quote from: matbard on June 17, 2020, 08:31:57 AM
With TB2 - assuming the OWC dock that I have is out of stock - you have to buy an AkiTio Thunder 2 dock:

https://www.akitio.com/adapters/thunder2-dock

The Akitio Thunder 2 dock is pure unobtainum.  Out of stock everywhere with no ETA - probably a discontinued product.  After a bit more digging I learned that the Apple TB2 <--> TB3 adapter ($49) works in both directions.  It will bridge between a TB3 powered hub and the TB2 port on my Macbook.  That opens up compatibility with many currently available hubs.