Apple introduced a new line of USB-C adapters for its newest MacBook, which is so slim it features only a single USB-C port.
Bundled together with the new $1,299 MacBook is a 29W USB-C Power Adapter, which is a cross between the larger 40W power adapter for the MacBook Air and the smaller 12W USB power adapter for the iPad. It also comes with a two-meter USB-C Charge Cable, which has two USB-C connectors on both ends and supports USB 2 for syncing and transferring data between two USB-C devices.
Both the 29W USB-C Power Adapter and the USB-C Charge Cable cost $29 each to replace. For those who need extra length, the Power Adapter Extension Cable is sold separately at $19.
For connecting the new MacBook to an older USB device, Apple sells a USB-C to USB Adapter for $19. This will allow users to plug devices such as their iPhone, iPad, or iPhone into the new MacBook as well as flash drives, cameras, and other devices equipped with standard USB. The USB-C to USB Adapter supports USB 3.1 Gen 1.
The $79 USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter has three ports, one for connecting to a VGA-enabled TV with a display up to a high-definition display, another for connecting with a standard USB device, and the third to a USB-C charging cable. Apple says the USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter has the ability to output video content, such as movies, so users can project movies to a TV by connecting the VGA Multiport Adapter to the MacBook and a VGA cable, not included, to the TV or projector.
And for users who have an HDMI-enabled TV, the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter costs $79. It has three ports, just like the VGA Multiport Adapter, but the difference is it does not connect to a TV via VGA but through HDMI. One can simply plug the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter into the MacBook and connect it to an HDMI-enabled TV via an HDMI cable, which is sold separately.
USB-C is a new universal serial bus standard that boasts data transfer speeds of 10 Gbps per second, which is double the 5 Gbps transfer rate of USB 3.0, meaning there is much less time to wait for devices to send and receive data or charge. Additionally, USB-C does not have to be plugged in at a certain orientation, doing away with a minor inconvenience in the older USB standards that is still annoying nonetheless.
If Apple left out anything, it is USB-C adapters for its proprietary Lightning connector and MagSafe magnetic power connector, which is designed to be held by magnets so that when the cord is accidentally yanked, the connector or the computer's power socket will not get damaged.
