Huawei has made the best USB-C adapter, perfect for the Macbook.
By far the most polarizing feature on the 12-inch Macbook 2016 is its single USB-C port, which is used for both charging and connecting peripherals. Macbook users have traditionally been used to a plethora of ports adorning the sides of their machines but with the 12-inch Macbook, Apple is hoping that less is more.
What happens if you need to use more than one port at a time? Well, Apple would have you buy multiple adapters, each for different purposes, including a USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter for HDMI and USB, USB-C to USB adapter for standard USB connections, and more. However, these adapters aren't the cheapest piece of plastic on the market, so maybe there's another way?
Introducing the most unlikely source of the perfect solution: Huawei.
Designed to work alongside its USB-C-clad Matebook, the MateDock aims to solve the biggest problem with USB-C in that it's a young connectivity standard and not many products natively support it. The MateDock connects via a single USB-C connection and offers two USB 3.0 ports, VGA, ethernet and HDMI, along with pass-through USB-C so you can continue charging your laptop. Sure, it doesn't have an SD card slot, but you can easily buy a USB adapter with multiple card slots to take care of all your needs.
The best thing about the MateDock? It's just $89. Now this might seem steep for an adapter, but to provide some context, it's an absolute bargain next to Apple's USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, which costs $79. Apple's adapter is made of plastic versus the premium finish of the MateDock and only offers a single USB 3.0 port, HDMI and pass-through USB-C to charge your laptop.
The MateDock itself is also stylish and premium – just like Apple's own products – in its metal case, which comes in a svelte leather pouch. It's larger than the Apple adapter but considering how much it offers, is very portable for the rather large problem it solves.
On paper the MateDock solves a big problem, but as we've seen across smartphones and other peripherals, not all USB-C connections are the same. In some cases a USB-C charger won't actually charge other USB-C devices, so can you be assured the MateDock is compatible with USB-C devices? In a simple word: Yes.
Having tested the MateDock with both the 12-inch Macbook 2016 and the HP Spectre 13, we can say with a fair degree of certainty that it seems to work with most USB-C devices. It's not all perfect, though, as we found charging speeds to be approximately 30% slower with the Macbook and 14% slower with the Spectre 13. Furthermore, compared to Apple's USB-C to USB adapter, the MateDock is actually 9% faster than Apple's own adapter when transferring files to or from the Macbook.
Overall, there's no denying that while Huawei is often accused of gaining inspiration from Apple, the Chinese company has this time shown its rivals how to make a solid adapter. No plastic in sight, the MateDock is definitely premium in every sense of the word and not only does it make the perfect Macbook accessory, it's also one of the best USB-C docks available on the market.
What do you think of the Huawei MateDock and would you use it with your Macbook or other USB-C powered laptop? What about other USB-C adapter and docks; do you use one that you recommend above all others? Let us know your views in the comments below!
Source: www.bing.com
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