My 12″ MacBook is so light and thin; I always have it in my backpack. It’s probably the most convenient laptop I’ve ever had, but there is one huge drawback: it only has one USB Type-C port. No memory card slots, no extra USB ports, no nuthin’. The Satechi USB-C MultiMedia Adapter adds memory card slots, USB ports, and more.
I knew going into MacBook ownership that I would have to make do with that single slot, but I was counting on third-party vendors to come up with a solution, and that’s exactly what happened. I’ve tried a few different USB-C add-ons, and the Satechi USB-C Multimedia Adapter is by far my favorite.
Measuring just 4.25″ long by 0.5″ thick (on its fatter end) by 2″ wide, the Satechi USB-C Multimedia Adapter has a 5.5″ long USB Type-C cable attached. The body of the adapter is wrapped in a sleek silver or space gray brushed aluminum with a translucent white plastic ends.
On the thinner side of the adapter, there is a pass-through USB Type-C charger, so You can power your laptop (up to 49W) while you are enjoying all of its new ports. Next to that, there is a microUSB card slot and then an SD memory card slot.
On the bottom, there is a Gigabit Ethernet port next to a Type-A USB 3.0 port. The Ethernet port is perfect for times when you have to have a wired connection; it features a “plug and play design for MacOS and Windows (8 and later) devices, and it supports 10/100/1000Mbps.”
The thicker backside holds a 4K HDMI (30Hz) port, a 30Hz 4K mini DisplayPort (it does not support Apple Thunderbolt Display), and two more Type-A USB 3.0 ports (they will charge your iPhone but aren’t strong enough to charge an iPad). The display output is “supported only on devices equipped with DisplayPort over USB-C (Alt mode).” It requires a direct HDMI-HDMI or mini DP-DP connection, and it supports one display at a time.
Everything you need is included to hook your MacBook (or even your MacBook Pro) up to a monitor, attach peripherals, read memory cards, and power your MacBook. In other words, the Satechi USB-C Multimedia Adapter is practically perfect in every way! I’ll be keeping this one in my backpack.
The Satechi USB-C Multimedia Adapter retails for $99.99, and it is available directly from the manufacturer.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: Just about every kind of port you might want to add to your MacBook — including a few you might not have thought about; Small and compact, ready to travel; You can use the Type-C port to charge your laptop while it is in use; Supports 4K
What Needs Improvement: Nothing — it works as promised
