USB-C to Lightning / LG Ultrafine 5k Display

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Level 1

9 points

USB-C to Lightning / LG Ultrafine 5k Display

I currently connect my Mac mini to an LG 5k display using the main T3 socket on the LG display. I use the other three USB-C connections to attach a keyboard, trackpad and iPhone charging dock. So I've used up all of my USB-C connections. I also have the Mac mini connected to an ethernet cable and to a Lacie hard drive.

I'm about to take delivery of a new MacBook Pro (with only 2 USB-C connections). I would like to be able to quickly swap between my Mac mini and the MacBook Pro.

In an ideal world I would use the single T3 connection but then I would lose my Ethernet and Lacie connections. The LG display would be the ideal hub, but I'd need to sacrifice my 3 USB-C to Lightning connections. It feels like those connections probably don't draw huge amounts of power and don't hog a lot of bandwidth in terms of data. I could disconnect the cables (at least for keyboard and trackpad and use them wirelessly - I deliberately haven't done this as I don't want them to pair to one particular machine and lose the ability to hot swap between Mac mini and MacBook Pro. I also occasionally use the iPhone connection to upload photos.

Is there such a thing as Lightning hub/dock where I could use just one USB-C connection into the dock and then have 3 Lightning connections going out? There are tons of USB-C type hubs but they don't seem to bring very much to the party - a USB-C pass through and at best maybe one extra USB-C port and then lots of other stuff I don't really need - HDMI, 3.5mm audio, USB-A, SD card readers etc (the only useful one might be an ethernet connection to replace the one I currently have going to my Mac mini and provide an automatic connection for the MacBook Pro when I plug that in).

Can anyone see any other obvious solutions I'm missing?!

All suggestions grateful received!

Posted on Nov 24, 2020 6:03 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

neuroanatomist

Level 9

50,173 points

Nov 24, 2020 6:44 AM in response to nksimmons

The ‘problem’ is that USB-C isn’t really splittable, so you won’t find docks with a bunch of USB-C ports. Probably your keyboard and trackpad can connect via USB-A, I have Apple’s and they came with USB-A-to-Lightning cables.

I’d suggest a dock like the Brydge Stone Pro, or a TB3 dock from Elgato or OWC. I have the Stone Pro at home, set up rather like your desired arrangement. The TB3 pass through is connected to an LG 34” 5K:2K ultrawide, the keyboard and trackpad are connected to USB-A ports, a Logitech StreamCam is connected to the dock’s USB-C port, and GigE LAN is also connected to the dock. A single TB3 cable from the dock connects to one of my 3 MBPs, or my wife’s MBP, or one of my kids’ MBAs and provides power, display, keyboard/trackpad (without needing to unpair/pair), webcam, and Ethernet.

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Answer 2

Nov 24, 2020 6:33 AM in response to nksimmons

nksimmons wrote:

I currently connect my Mac mini to an LG 5k display using the main T3 socket on the LG display. I use the other three USB-C connections to attach a keyboard, trackpad and iPhone charging dock. So I've used up all of my USB-C connections. I also have the Mac mini connected to an ethernet cable and to a Lacie hard drive.

I'm about to take delivery of a new MacBook Pro (with only 2 USB-C connections). I would like to be able to quickly swap between my Mac mini and the MacBook Pro.

In an ideal world I would use the single T3 connection but then I would lose my Ethernet and Lacie connections. The LG display would be the ideal hub, but I'd need to sacrifice my 3 USB-C to Lightning connections. It feels like those connections probably don't draw huge amounts of power and don't hog a lot of bandwidth in terms of data. I could disconnect the cables (at least for keyboard and trackpad and use them wirelessly - I deliberately haven't done this as I don't want them to pair to one particular machine and lose the ability to hot swap between Mac mini and MacBook Pro. I also occasionally use the iPhone connection to upload photos.

Is there such a thing as Lightning hub/dock where I could use just one USB-C connection into the dock and then have 3 Lightning connections going out? There are tons of USB-C type hubs but they don't seem to bring very much to the party - a USB-C pass through and at best maybe one extra USB-C port and then lots of other stuff I don't really need - HDMI, 3.5mm audio, USB-A, SD card readers etc (the only useful one might be an ethernet connection to replace the one I currently have going to my Mac mini and provide an automatic connection for the MacBook Pro when I plug that in).

Can anyone see any other obvious solutions I'm missing?!

All suggestions grateful received!

Sounds like you need to set up a wifi network.

The MBP is stand alone portable— you do not need the other peripherals(?) I don't get it...

If you are determined to use ethernet:

Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - Apple

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Answer 3

nksimmons Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 24, 2020 6:45 AM in response to leroydouglas

I have wifi, but prefer a faster wired connection. I also prefer a full size keyboard and 27" display to the MBP screen / keyboard. I use the full portability when I am not at my office desk (not so often nowadays!). I have the ethernet adapter, but I don't have enough USB-C connections for everything (the real point of my post).

Please see my specific comment on not using wireless connection for keyboard / trackpad - I want to be able to use the same keyboard / trackpad for BOTH of my Mac's without having to reset and repair every time - much easier to to do by keeping them connected with a cable.

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Answer 4

nksimmons Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 24, 2020 6:48 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Thanks - USB-A seems a bit of a backwards step, but I guess for the purposes of keeping keyboard / trackpad connected it would be adequate. Probably a cheaper solution too (shame I will have to junk my rather nice USB-C to lightning cables from Mophie!) as TB3 hubs not cheap.

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Answer 5

nksimmons Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 24, 2020 7:17 AM in response to nksimmons

I wonder if something like this might do the trick - Sitecom CN-386 USB-C Hub 4 port | USB-C male to 3x USB-C 3.1 + 1x USB-C Female - the USB-C 3.1 connections x 3 could take keyboard/trackpad/iPhone dock leaving one connection on my LG display for Ethernet, 1 for Lacie hard drive and the main connection back to MBP / Mac mini? I think that the power from the USB-C 3.1 would be sufficient? It would also give me another pass through USB-C connection (presumably not as good as T3, but not bad) for something else (USB-C headphones for example)?

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Answer 6

Nov 24, 2020 7:35 AM in response to nksimmons

nksimmons wrote:

Thanks - USB-A seems a bit of a backwards step, but I guess for the purposes of keeping keyboard / trackpad connected it would be adequate. Probably a cheaper solution too (shame I will have to junk my rather nice USB-C to lightning cables from Mophie!) as TB3 hubs not cheap.

USB-A is more than sufficient for a keyboard and trackpad. I mean, I could use my 14” pan to fry one egg, or I could rent a moving van to pick up my turkey from Whole Foods tomorrow morning, but those are overkill. 😉

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Answer 7

nksimmons Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 24, 2020 9:14 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Thanks - I noted the negative comments, but most of them I think didn't understand that the hub would NOT support a display (not my worry / issue). In any event I'm going to give that a try and will report back (for £40 it isn't too expensive).

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Answer 8

nksimmons Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 25, 2020 9:04 AM in response to neuroanatomist

So I have just plugged in the USB-C to 4xUSB-C hub. I have my keyboard, trackpad and iPhone dock all plugged in and all seemingly working fine. The speed is just 5Gbps (I assume split across all 4 ports) and the charge is 7.5W (which I assume is also split). Given the low bandwidth and charge required for the devices and I can reuse my USB-C to Lightning Mophie cables that's a nice outcome. I now have two spare USB-C sockets on the back on my LG 5k display that I can use for an ethernet connection and my Lacie drive (not sure if Lacie max speed will be possible as I don't know specification of LG socket.

I also purchased the Sitecom USB-C to 3xUSB-C + 1xUSB-C PD which I figured would come in handy when on the road with my MBP. The speeds are better (10Gbps, but still 7.5W for the 3 ports and the PD on the other port is 100W which is more than enough for the MBP meaning I still have 4 USB-C ports at my disposal when on the road.

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