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Any port with a C: The USB-C gear you'll want real soon (pictures)

Adapters, docks and drives are ready for action and reveal just how big the new reversible port revolution will be.

Seamus Byrne
Seamus Byrne is CNET's Editor for Australia and Asia. At other times he'll be found messing with apps, watching TV, building LEGO, and rolling dice. Preferably all at the same time.
Seamus Byrne
USB-C MacBook dock
1 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

This Unitek dock for MacBook (or any other USB-C laptop, for that matter) adds a few key ports for when you hit the desk. Plus, it charges your MacBook to boot.

USB-C MacBook dock
2 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

The rear of the USB-C dock for the new MacBook offers ports for Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 3.0, HDMI and the critical Power Delivery (PD) for charging the MacBook while it is docked through its single USB-C port.

USB-C storage toaster
3 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

At 10Gbps, many storage options will work well with USB Type-C. Here's a Unitek 'toaster' style SATA drive solution that is hot-swappable and can also clone drives across the two bays, or offer full access to both at 10Gbps.

USB-C adapter j5create
4 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

This adapter hub from j5create offers Ethernet, DisplayPort, USB 3.0 and a Power Delivery (PD) port. This is the USB-C plug you would run from the hub to the wall to charge the notebook the hub is plugged into. It will be an important choice to make when buying adapters and hubs -- do you want to be able to charge your device through this or not? Another very similar hub offers HDMI instead of DisplayPort.

USB-C flash drive
5 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

Expect to see many drives like this one from TopDisk. USB-C flash storage with both the USB-C plug plus a traditional large USB connector. This will help bridge the gap nicely through the next few years of transition.

USB-C flash drives
6 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

A range of USB-C flash drives were on show at the Ritek booth, including some with pass-through adapters for USB-C, micro-USB, standard USB and another reversible flash drive option.

USB-C for USB 3.0
7 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

USB-C connectors will also be driving devices that still use the USB 3.0 standard. The plug just delivers whatever standard is being pushed across it. In this case, a slower Gigabit Ethernet connection (3.1 can hand 10 Gigabit) can be delivered, or a slower USB hub.

USB-C adapter range
8 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

Whatever screen connection you need, USB-C will let you hook it up. It supports DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, and VGA. Just add your adapter. Dual-screen output options will also be available. These adapters by Wiretek all include Power Delivery (PD) ports and one USB 3.0 port.

USB-C adapter hubs
9 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

Three small hubs from Unitek show a variety of options. HDMI and USB 3.0; an array of memory card readers; and a straight hub for four USB 3.0 cables (the fourth is on the back end).

USB-C hub for USB 3.0
10 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

A very basic gum packet style USB 3.0 hub for USB-C plus Gigabit Ethernet option from Unitek.

USB-C PC card
11 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

It isn't just docks and adapters for notebooks we're talking about. Here's a two-USB-C port card you can slot into a desktop computer.

USB-C active optical cable
12 of 12 Seamus Byrne/CNET

USB-C can also accommodate different cable types. This example from Elka International Ltd is an optical cable. This would be used only in very specific scenarios, but it shows how diverse this port can be.

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