[Closed] Appletrackworld - external display for MacBook

You can use whatever, you'll need a dongle adaptor for USB-C --> DisplayPort (or whatever your new monitor needs).

BUT Is it an actual 'MacBook' or MacBook Air / Pro? The MacBooks only had one USB-C which is mildly irritating if you wanted to use an external display and, say, a charger at the same time. In that case you might want to get some sort of USB-C hub that has capacity for pass-through charging. To be honest I'd consider using a hub anyway. I have screen + keyboard + mouse + External hard drive (for backup) + charging all on one plug. It's quite beautiful.

For a wired display, this little fella helps, especially if you only have one USB-C port:

https://www.owcdigital.com/products/usb-c-travel-dock

I use an iPad as a second display wirelessly though, Sidecar makes it simple and portable.

You're going to need something like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Adapter-Classic-Delivery-Chromebook/dp/B07RN6RTXD

It worked well with my Macbook.
Add monitor of choice (assuming HDMI).

Thanks - it's a MacBook Pro so it has 4 USB-C. Which hub do you have ?

Thanks – it’s a MacBook Pro so it has 4 USB-C. Which hub do you have ?

I have a couple of different Anker ones - they all work well.

If you don't need the hub capability then a simple adapter may be better. I'd always go for HDMI

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Thunderbolt-Compatible-MacBook-Samsung-Black/dp/B07TD515P2

I use one of these: AOC 27E1H, 120 quid

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AOC-27E1H-Widescreen-Monitor-1920×1080/dp/B07KTG2B4X/ref=sr_1_2?adgrpid=95809613977&dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo6D4BRDgARIsAA6uN190RXKb2ZbHGSyQFg9oFM3XSeDLiWQaYsKZsylIufnxjX-TOuzuhhsaAldzEALw_wcB&hvadid=422599675570&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007397&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=14450295718788192990&hvtargid=kwd-888366731725&hydadcr=28209_1821147&keywords=aoc%2B27b1h%2Bfull%2Bhd%2B27%2Blcd%2Bmonitor&qid=1594375909&sr=8-2&tag=googhydr-21&th=1

Its not retina, but I think its bloody superb. Colours are great, works well with the Mac (for nightshift etc), viewing angles are excellent, light, sturdy, thin bezel so physically very samll. In fact, we bought more for the office and staff seem happy with them.

Any USB-C to HDMI adapter will do you, FWIW I use a hyperdrive, very handy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MacBook-Multiport-Adapter-microSD-USB3-1/dp/B06Y2NXL9X/ref=sr_1_5?adgrpid=57037380361&dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo6D4BRDgARIsAA6uN1_TThvaAz7-YKI4d6zWqsUNAswmPZvnNraM7A0KX3westwqBU48uAAaAqlxEALw_wcB&hvadid=259094291251&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007397&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6841940280588195413&hvtargid=kwd-302248977593&hydadcr=4422_1795156&keywords=hyperdrive+usb+c+hub&qid=1594376165&sr=8-5&tag=googhydr-21

Don't get an adapter, just get a USB-C > HDMI cable. Much neater.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/uni-Type-C-Compatible-MacBook-Surface/dp/B075V5JK36

Plenty of usb-c monitors now available at all price levels. Why wouldn’t you just do that?

Get a QHD (1440) monitor if you can afford it - much nicer resolution to actually work on than 1080.

A 27inch will show two A4 sheets at full size in that resolution. Quite nice to work with.

www.amazon.co.uk/AOC-Q3279VWFD8-32-Monitor-LED/dp/B07CG41Y8Z/

Smidge over budget though...

All this adaptor talk is fine, but if you have USB-C you might as well try and get the most out of it! Get a monitor that can provide power out via USB-C and use that as the hub if you want to connect other things. You then get one cable to connect to connect video/power/anything USB you fancy (keyboards/mice/cameras, etc)

Thanks all !! Good ideas!

I have a question related to this also. I have a 2015 macbook pro so ports are HDMI, USB and Thunder.

I have just bought a USB C monitor hoping to use that as the power source. Then I realised that the Macbook didn't have USB C!! Will a USB C to thunder allow charging of the laptop or would that only work USB C to USB C?

I have an Asus monitor and it acts as the hub for my USB keyboard, mouse and tablet

Oh and using a USBC to display port cable
Derp
And a USBC to usba cable

I run 2 external (standard LG) monitors from mine, using the HDMI and USB adapter that comes with the Macbook Pro, and a cheap eBay HDMI adapter for the second monitor. Both work fine.

I have just bought a USB C monitor hoping to use that as the power source. Then I realised that the Macbook didn’t have USB C!! Will a USB C to thunder allow charging of the laptop or would that only work USB C to USB C?

Nope. 99% sure that it's never been the case that power in can be via one of two ports on the same machine. Either you have a magsafe or a USB-C for power in, never both.

timmys - i meant ditch the magsafe. As I understand it, with a USBC monitor I can run a USBC cable from it to a laptop and that will power the laptop? WIll it work USBC at the monitor end and an adaptor to plug into the thunder on the laptop?

Sorry if I'm being dense

No, I don't think so.

If your mac has a MagSafe connection, it was designed to only be powered by that port, not by any other.

Ah I see, didn't realise they'd done away with magsafe in newer models. Thought it was just an option to charge from a monitor and make the desk tidier! So if I want to charge the laptop from the monitor...I need a new laptop!!

Can’t add anything constructive, but I would advise not doing what my coworker did for a 2nd screen for his MacBook.

Went into pc world/curry’s, spoke to the assistant on his needs, got sold a ‘Monitor’ for £1000+, thought it was strange it came with a keyboard and mouse, called IT tech support twice because his monitor didn’t respond to the MacBook inputs.

It was only when he asked in the office the next Monday we highlighted the error...fortunately the snakes at PC World/Curry’s gave him a refund.

So if I want to charge the laptop from the monitor…I need a new laptop!!

Yeah. People rate the 2015 MacBook Pro’s very highly, though. Some people consider them the last of the ‘proper’ laptops. I don’t subscribe to that view, and I love my 2018 one but unless you want a new laptop for other reasons I’d not bother changing.