MacAir 2018

[MacFile]

I bought my laptop believing I would love it as much as I've loved all of my MacAir laptops. However, I was let down. I've disliked it for so long that right now I'm using it for the second time since I bought it. I kept using my old MacAir 2015. because it had all of the things that made it a great laptop. However, my sturdy 2015 has begun to have problems, and I'm hoping someone here might be able how to deal with a particular difficult issue that will help me not want to get rid of my '18.

I managed to find a magnetic attachment to prevent my tripping over the cord - this was after I first had my 2018 and tripped over the cord and had to have the computer repaired. I was also frustrated with the fact that the 2018 only had one USB port, but I figured I could get a hub. After I bought the hub, I then realized that the 2018 would only allow one external drive attached at a time.

So, my question is: Does anyone know a way to get around this? I really want to love my 2018, but whoever designed it apparently didn't understand that more than one port was a necessity for most users.

Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions or ideas that might make me want to keep the 2018.

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello and welcome.

Yes, some of the MacBook lines were a bit sparse on connections. But, you can use dongles/hubs to attach more devices. Of course, they are designed for mobility, so they won't have the same capabilities as a desktop. However, if you use them more as a desktop, you can get a powered hub that will give you more connections.

• Are you using it as a portable or a desktop?
• What brand/model are the external drives?
• Are the bus-powered or do they have an AC adapter?
• What other devices would you like to connect?

C

 

[MacFile]

Hello and welcome.

Yes, some of the MacBook lines were a bit sparse on connections. But, you can use dongles/hubs to attach more devices. Of course, they are designed for mobility, so they won't have the same capabilities as a desktop. However, if you use them more as a desktop, you can get a powered hub that will give you more connections.

• Are you using it as a portable or a desktop?
• What brand/model are the external drives?
• Are the bus-powered or do they have an AC adapter?
• What other devices would you like to connect?

I have a laptop, I'm using Passport external drives, they are powered by the computer, and they are bus-powered.

The problem is that I'm using an external drive, but the laptop only allows one on at time.

Could this be solved by using a heavier hub? I've just ordered an

Apanage Powered USB 3.0 Hub, 11 Ports USB Hub Splitter (7 High Speed Data Transfer Ports + 4 smart Charging Ports) with Individual On/Off Switches and 48W Power Adapter for Mac Pro/mini, PC, HDD, Disk

Amazon.com

​

I do a lot of work where I need to transfer some information on one drive and other information to the other.​

 

[Cory Cooper]

OK, thanks.

I assume your model is the MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018), correct? If so, it has 2 Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports.

Because they are bus-powered there is probably a limitation on a MacBook Air. A powered hub should allow you to connect more than one, since the bus power will come from the hub, not the MBA.

I am not sure that hub will work with your Mac, as it doesn't state Mac-compatibility, and only has a USB 3 connection. I would recommend a AC powered Thunderbolt 3 hub, which can be on the pricy side. OWC makes some, and they have compatibility lists for their products.

Hope that helps.

C

 

[TonyAguila]

You may need to look at Thunderbolt hubs. They might look like regular USB-C hubs but as long as your source (MacBook Air) is Thunderbolt, they will work. You can easily tell between a USB and Thunderbolt hub… the latter costs about $300+. Anything below $200 will probably be USB-C only output, not Thunderbolt. Amazon is very liberal about returns (but make sure before you buy), so if it does not work for you, you can return/exchange it.

 

[MacFile]

Hello and welcome.

Yes, some of the MacBook lines were a bit sparse on connections. But, you can use dongles/hubs to attach more devices. Of course, they are designed for mobility, so they won't have the same capabilities as a desktop. However, if you use them more as a desktop, you can get a powered hub that will give you more connections.

• Are you using it as a portable or a desktop?
• What brand/model are the external drives?
• Are the bus-powered or do they have an AC adapter?
• What other devices would you like to connect?

C

Thanks for your reply. I feel a bit the idiot when I realized I was using an incorrect hub. However, as I am bedridden much of the time, using the USB-c hub is still going to be a bit of a problem as the only place I will have to put it will be on my bed. I might have to opt for a bed desk with an area to place personal items.