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You'll need this $79 USB Type-C adapter to use most current accessories with Apple's new MacBook

Having only one USB Type-C port, Apple's new Macbook must rely on adapters to work with existing devices. The Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter is the first of those adapters.

Dong Ngo SF Labs Manager, Editor / Reviews
CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since 2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks. He now manages CNET San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage devices, and also writes about other topics from online security to new gadgets and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.
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Dong Ngo
2 min read

This adapter is a must for those who want the new MacBook now. Apple

The new MacBook is here and it's the thinnest ever, partly thanks to the fact that it uses a single USB Type-C (or USB-C for short) port for charging, doing away with the usual MacSafe port. That's the good news.

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The bad news is the laptop also uses that port for everything else: it has no other peripheral ports. And this means in order to use it with any existing peripheral devices, including external storage devices, thumb drives and external displays, you need an adapter. In comes the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.

Apple is pricing the adapter at $79 in the US, £65 in the UK and AU$119 in Australia.

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The adapter can handle two peripheral devices and charge the laptop at the same time. Apple

This adapter has one standard Type-C USB connector on one end, to connect to the notebook, and on the other end it has a Type-C USB port, an HDMI port and a Type A USB port. It allows you to connect your MacBook's USB-C port to an HDMI display, while also connecting a standard USB device and a USB-C charging cable.

Since USB-C features USB 3.1 standard with the bandwidth of 10Gbps (comparable to the speed of the original Thunderbolt), the computer's single USB-C port is capable of handling multiple devices at time, both in terms of data and power connections. ( Read more about USB-C here.)

According to Apple, the adapter allows for mirroring the MacBook display to an HDMI-enabled display with up to 1080p resolution. It can also output video content like movies and captured video. You do need an HDMI cable (not included) to make this work.

The use of USB-C not only makes the new MacBook cool and future proof, it also shows the power and potential of USB-C. However, before USB-C becomes more widely available with devices supporting it natively, adapters such as this multiport are a must. Without it, the new laptop is incompatible with most, if not all existing peripheral devices on the market.

That said, if you decide to pick up a new MacBook today, don't forget to add this adapter to the shopping cart.

Watch this: Key features of USB type-C you should know